Distinguished Blog - Community Associations
Market insights and industry news.
Community Association Team – Employee Highlight Videos
Distinguished Programs’ community association insurance team is made up of exceptional individuals who are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and support to their clients. Our team is composed of experienced underwriters, risk managers, and support staff who work together to deliver specialized insurance programs that meet the unique needs of community associations….
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The Devil’s in the Details: Performing a Deep Dive into Client Contractual Agreements
Our mutual clients, whether they are community associations or in the habitational or hospitality industries, have multiple contractual agreements with third-party suppliers and vendors of various services. Each agreement contains provisions on who is responsible for what and by when, insurance requirements, and ultimate liability in the event of a loss, among other issues. It’s…
Insurers Focus on Increased Need for Inspections, Repairs for Older Buildings Amid the Surfside Condo Collapse
On June 24, part of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, collapsed in the wee hours while many residents slept. To date, 97 residents have been confirmed dead. The catastrophic loss has sent shockwaves throughout this oceanfront community located in Miami-Dade County.
Built to Rent Suburbs Picking Up Steam
Homeownership has been on the decline for decades, and not only among millennials. House prices have risen at a rate disproportionate to income, making homeownership increasingly unaffordable. Rent too has increased, contributing to Americans’ inability to afford down payments, but remains more affordable than homeownership.
Tips for Having a Safe Summer BBQ
On average, 10,600 home fires are started by grills each year. Approximately 20,000 patients go to the emergency room each year for injuries involving grills, totaling upwards of $37 million in damages. As the weather heats up and summer barbecues commence, don’t become a statistic. Share these simple tips for safe grilling with your property-owning…
Different Types of HOAs
Alternatively referred to as community associations, homeowner’s associations (HOAs) can often be found in residential communities. In fact, homeowner’s associations have become increasingly common in recent years. The Community Association Institute reports that about a quarter of (about 70 million) Americans live in some form of a community association. Given the growing popularity of community…
Pool Safety Grants Available to State & Local Governments to Help Reduce Drowning Injuries, Deaths
More than 7,000 drowning deaths occur nationally each year, according to the National Safety Council, with drowning accidents the leading cause of death and injury of children under 5 years of age. Drowning is also the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children under the age of 15. Moreover, each year nearly 6,000 children under…
Check-In on Community Association Deck Safety
As the weather heats up, condo owners begin to take advantage of their decks for some outdoor barbecuing with friends and families, extra room, and fresh air. While these decks are real assets when selling a unit, they could become a liability for community associations depending on who is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Homes are an investment and maintaining them is a must. As many homeowners know, however, it isn’t always easy to know what needs to be done. Spring has officially sprung, making it the perfect time to inspect for winter damage and prepare for the warmer months to come. Share this checklist with your insureds to…
How Agents Can Lower the Cost of Workers’ Comp
Workers’ Compensation insurance is mandatory in nearly every state and designed to provide employees with coverage for medical costs and lost wages for workplace-related injuries or illnesses. Work Comp premiums are based on three factors: classification codes, employer payroll, and an employer’s experience modification (ex-mod).
HOAs Brace for Winter
While summer is the time for homeowners’ associations to show off their luxurious amenities — the sparkling pool, the pristine tennis courts, the vibrant landscaping, etc — winter is no less important when it comes to maintenance. When the weather turns frosty, a host of different problems present themselves. And if community associations are not…