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Condominium Associations in Florida

Florida is the part-time home for many snowbirds. Snowbirds are people who flee south from the harsh northern winters. Most of these people stay in condominiums during the winter months.

Many condos in Florida are operated by condominium associations. Condo associations are formed by private individual unit owners in the same building who then form an association. Condominium associations operate in a very similar way to a Florida corporation.  

Under Florida Statute §711.111(11), all condominium associations are required to maintain property insurance.

Attorney for Insurance Claims by Condo Associations in Orlando, Florida

If you manage a condominium association in Orlando, Florida, and have had an insurance claim denied by a property insurance company, call an attorney who will fight for your association's best settlement.

Attorney Michael B. Germain has a history of aggressively battling insurance companies to protect the insured. He takes cases in the greater Orlando area, and in the surrounding cities of Titusville, Kissimmee, Sanford, Deland, Tavares, and Bartow

Call Germain Law Group at (813) 835-8888 for more information about how to fight insurance companies.

Insurance Requirements under Fla. Stat. § 718.111

Condominium Associations in Florida are required by law to purchase and maintain property insurance. Florida Statute § 718.111(11) states that in order to protect the safety, welfare, and health of the people and to ensure the consistency in the provision of insurance coverage to condominiums and their unit owners. Section 718.111(11) applies to every condominium in the state, regardless of whether it is designated as such.

What is Adequate Condo Insurance in Florida?

Under Florida Section 718.111(11) adequate condo insurance must be based on the replacement cost of the property to be insured. The replacement cost must be determined every thirty-six (36) months by an independent insurance appraisal in Florida.

Types of Condominium Associations Claims

Condominium associations, just like other corporate entities, may obtain multiple types of insurance depending on the needs of the organization. The most common kinds of condominium association coverage in Florida include the following:

General Liability -covers the condo association if someone is hurt on its property. Specifically, if an individual is hurt on property purchased by the condo association or in the common areas of the building;

Property - covers the condo association for damage for the condo building, which includes the hallways, sidewalks, roof, basement, elevators, and any property purchased by the condo association.

Directors and Officer - coverage protects present and past members or officers of the board from liability issues due to management, misconduct, or other member violations. These kinds of claims can be monetary or non-monetary claims for damages.

Condo Association Versus HOA in Florida

One of the major differences between a condo association and an HOA, in Orlando, Florida, is the scope of ownership. While each member owns his unit, he or she has a joint ownership in the building and its grounds. Unlike Florida homeowners association's members who have no stake in the common areas owned by the HOA, condo owners do have a stake. 

Given the differences between an HOA and a condominium association, it is important that insurance policyholders do not just assume that coverage and insurance requirements for these two types of entities are the same.

In fact, Florida Statutes require condominium associations and condo owners to maintain property insurance, whereas there the requirement for homeowner's associations only involve association board members.

Additional Resources

Fla. Stat. § 718.111(11) – Visit Online Sunshine, the official website of the Florida Legislature for the full statutory language of the law regarding condominiums in Florida

Housing and Urban Development – Visit the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Florida for access to resources regarding Florida neighborhoods, community development, and links to useful information like statutes on condominiums and other housing resources.

Finding an Attorney for Insurance Claims by Condo Associations in Orange County, FL

When a Florida insurance company denies your claim, it must provide you with specific reasons for denial. If you lead a condominium association and you have had an insurance claim denied, then call an attorney who will fight for your association's best settlement.

Attorney Michael B. Germain has a history of aggressively battling insurance companies to protect the insured. He takes cases in Orange County and in the surrounding counties of Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Polk, Lake, and Volusia.  

Call Germain Law Group at (813) 835-8888 for more information about how to fight insurance companies.

This article was last updated on Tuesday, February 22, 2017.