After a condominium fire, there can be a lot of confusion about who is responsible for making repairs, but those decisions about repairs can’t always wait. Letting a condo “sit” after a fire can cause more harm than the fire itself, whether the initial damage was severe or relatively minor. As an individual owner or a condominium association, it’s important that you take action as soon as possible after a fire to determine what you’re responsible for and how you can mitigate further damage.
Repairs May Need to Wait for Documentation and Assessment of the Damage
Getting organized about condo repairs sometimes means putting on the brakes until everything can be documented and appropriately assessed for damage and potential problems. If you rush right into making even minor repairs, there’s a chance that you could:
- Jeopardize your insurance claim
- Mask underlying damages from the fire
- Fail to address threats to safety
You May Have to Prioritize Between Full and Temporary Repairs
Although you may be able to recover some or all of the costs of fire damages from your condo insurance company, the claims process can take months, and delays are common. In the meantime, you may need to make temporary repairs to make the property safer and prevent further damage. Full repairs may be possible after the damage has been documented, but these are often at the bottom of the priority list when finances are limited. You may want to seek a professional opinion on the cost-effectiveness of full versus temporary repairs in your individual case.
Our Legal Team Can Help You Get Organized and Get the Most Out of Your Condo Insurance Claim
Condominium fires can be complicated for both condo owners and condo associations, but our legal team has experience helping individuals, businesses, and organizations successfully navigate difficult insurance claims. If you need help getting organized and mitigating problems after a condo fire, reach out to our team for a free case review and additional guidance on moving forward with confidence.
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