INSURANCE DO’s & DON’Ts
· Report all insurance-related damage immediately to the
HOA Board of Directors!
· If you travel for longer than a week then arrange to have
someone check your unit weekly to flush the toilets, test the thermostat, and
look for leaks on ceilings and windowsills, beneath sinks, under the
refrigerator, around the washing machine and near the water heater, etc.
· Damage not reported within two weeks of its occurrence may not
qualify for any coverage since the property is considered “abandoned”…WARNING:
If mold is found, then it is highly likely that no insurance company will cover
it
· The HOA Master Insurance Policy
applies only to “sudden and accidental” damages not
damage that occurs when an item deteriorates from normal wear and tear. Simple
wear and tear is the greatest cause of potential damage. Things wear out,
whether it's the roof, the plumbing line to the sink or a refrigerator. The
main point is: there’s never a convenient time to have a loss, and water loss
can happen at any time. Normal wear and tear is not
covered by the HOA Master Policy.
· Lack of routine maintenance is
considered "negligence" and may void your coverage. Keep track of
the dates you check things and the purchase and warranty dates of all
significant appliances which you may need later. Develop a personal checklist
of items to inspect, repair or replace on a regular basis and have a routine
schedule for checking these things. This list should include:
o Testing
smoke detectors every six months & replacing batteries EVERY year
o Inspecting
hose & pipe fittings for bulges, cracks or wetness on
· Washing
machines (replace hoses every 3-5 years),
· Refrigerators
(watch for leaky ice maker connections),
· Dishwashers
(watch for water in or around the unit),
· Pullout
spray wands on sinks (check under sink for water/leakage).
o Annual cleaning and/or replacement of filters on the …
· Furnace
· Air
conditioning unit
· Oven &
range exhaust fans
o Annual
inspection of all heating appliances for rust, wear or presence of water on the
…
· Water heater
· Furnace
· Insta-Hot
sink faucet heater
o Routine
preventative cleaning of drains & toilets (using household de-clogging
agents)
o Repair/replacement
of broken electrical outlets, frayed/faulty cords or overloaded circuits
o Usage of
surge protectors if you have critical entertainment/computer equipment
o Avoidance or
extreme care if using supplemental space heaters
o Usage of
proper wattage light bulbs
o Testing of
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in
kitchens, bathrooms & utility room (these are the AC plug outlets with a
red & black button between the sockets)
o Using
qualified licensed electrician or plumber trades people for maintenance
o Avoidance of
pouring grease of any kind down sink or disposal drains
o Do not turn
thermostats or the water heater completely off if you are traveling