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 Go-To Guide for Railing and Window Safety

They can be pretty. But they can also be pretty dangerous. When it comes to railing and window safety, there are some key codes to follow to ensure that your home or business are accessible and danger-proof. In this guide, you’re going to learn about why you need to be aware of the dangers of…

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How to Create a Safer Pool Area for Public Facilities

Is your pool area safe for swimmers, large and small? Taking a dip during those hot summer days can be fun and inviting, but many people overlook some essential features when it comes to keeping their pool safe and secure. Without the right safety features in place, a day of fun can turn into a…

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Claim Story – Even the Best Intentions can Lead to Bitter Disputes

We know that it’s essential for you to have the tools you need to show your customers the importance of proper D&O coverage for their community association.  We also know that nothing makes that point clearer than a real-world claim illustrating how even the best intentions can lead to dispute and disaster.

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Claim Story – Pool Safety

Teenage horseplay at a condo’s swimming pool took a turn for the worse when one young man dove headfirst into the shallow end of the pool. The condominium’s community association was left facing a $5 million personal injury claim due to not having proper pool safety rules clearly posted and enforced, as well as a…

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High Cost of a Pool Claim

For many, a community swimming pool is a small luxury that can bring family and friends together. But just like any other recreational area, there is always the risk of personal injury for those using the facilities. A pool claim can be costly to a community association. Emergency room visits for a near drowning victim can range…

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Four tips to manage decision-making in a community association

Oftentimes the people that act as decision-making members of the board have regular day jobs and are not professionally trained in group management. Therefore, it is essential for them to know their rights, risks, and responsibilities when making choices on behalf of a large group of individuals. Letting your customers know about their risks and…

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A Strong Wind Is on the Way

As Bob Dylan says, “A hard rain is gonna fall…” and with it this weekend, a strong wind is gonna blow! The greater New York area is bracing for wind gusts up to 70 mph Friday, according to the National Weather Service, not to mention a coastal flood advisory through Saturday. Are you ready? Doing…

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A Spooky but True Halloween Story

In honor of Halloween today, we’re re-sharing one of our claims that came in through our City Homes program a while ago. On a cold, dark night in early November, snow and ice glazed the sidewalks up and down the block. Tired building owners shuffled out at first light to make sure their patches of sidewalk…

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Tips for Service Animals and Restaurants and Hotels

Welcoming a hotel guest with a service animal may be as simple and check-in and check-out. Instituting a refresher on the legal do’s and don’ts of service animals can help hospitality sectors manage these helpful companions with ease. Below, we cover some of the basics of service animal protocol.

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Hurricane Harvey Preparation Guide

Hurricane Harvey is the first major hurricane to hit Texas since 2008 (Hurricane Ike, category 2). It’s scheduled to make landfall on Saturday and expected to bring enough rain to overwhelm bayous and flood large swathes of land. Texas, particularly Houston, is flood-prone and no stranger to the many scenarios which may occur this weekend,…

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