What you Need to Understand About Flooding in a Condo

Most people do not know what they need to do next once their condo floods. Will you be responsible for the cleanup and repairs or will the property manager take charge? This is one of the core questions that you will find yourself asking. Considering how devastating water damage can be, it is important to take action as soon as the problem starts.

Dealing with flooding can be devastating. In case there’s floor heating involved you need to know how to safely deal with this. The cleanup takes days and the renovations will not only take up your time and money but also rob you of your privacy. Imagine being forced to have an ‘open-door’ policy where the restoration team enters and leaves as they please! These are issues that can be avoided by knowing what you need to do in case of flooding.

UNDERSTAND YOUR INSURANCE COVER

Not many people understand their options when it comes to condo insurance. What are your liabilities? The insurance only covers the property that belongs to it. It may cover liability for bodily injury and property damage which arise from the corporation’s activities. It may also cover the machinery and boiler if required by the Condo Corporation and physical units as originally constructed; excluding upgrades. If you are upgrading anything in your condo such as heated floors, you must always update your insurance policies.

Other than that, as the condo unit owner, you will be responsible for insuring all your personal belongings.

• Furniture, clothes and personal property stored in the condo and on site.
• Personal liability: Legal liabilities arising from personal activities as the unit owner and the ownership of the individual unit.
• You may also responsible for deductibles under the insurance policy of the corporation.

Away from insurance coverage, flooding in the condo is a very complicated affair. There are many parties involved and not just the insurance company. You will also have to deal with the property management, the owner and restoration companies. Liaising with all these people can cause delays when fixing the problem. Decision making can also be hard especially when identifying who is making the decision. The speed at which adjusters from your insurance companies make can also be very slow hence delaying the work further.

When it comes to flooding in the condo, it is recommended to take the following steps:

• Identify the cause and if safety allows try and stop it
• Call a certified damage restoration company or contact your property management
• Remove personal belongings that may be damaged
• Take as many photos as you can
• If the damage is not caused by sewage problems, create air flow using a fan then turn on the dehumidifiers, if available.

When the restoration company arrives, ask them about the scope of problem as well as the cost. You should then consult your insurance broker first. You must make sure that the restoration company is using the right equipment to determine the extent of the water damage. If you wish to involve the insurance company, get the adjuster on site as soon as possible.

These points will help you better prepare for the event of flooding in your condo. Always involve the property manager first in case of a problem.