Community events are one of the best ways to bring neighbors together and strengthen the sense of community. Whether it’s a Fourth of July celebration, summer picnic, parade, or owners reserving the clubhouse for a private gathering, these events create lasting memories. They also introduce additional exposure for the entire community and deserve thoughtful planning….
Who is responsible for managing risk in a community association? Most owners would point to the Board of Directors. While Boards certainly carry the responsibility of making difficult decisions for the community as a whole, risk management is not confined to Board meetings. Some of the most significant risks facing a community originate within individual…
This winter fell short in providing the moisture needed to reduce wildfire exposure across Oregon. Snowpack levels came in below normal, particularly east of the Cascade Range, and that has real implications as we move into fire season. Insurance carriers are paying close attention, using brush and wildfire risk scores to evaluate communities, especially those…
Community associations have been facing rising insurance premiums, enough to demand attention. But there is a bigger question worth asking: should insurance really be one of the largest line items in the budget, or if communities invested more in maintenance, could insurance costs decrease? The theory comes from analyzing risk and understanding that many claims…
Sara Eanni is a respected leader in the HOA insurance industry, known for her dedication to strengthening communities through risk management, education, political advocacy, and ethical leadership. She collaborates with insurance carriers to refine policy language and coverage, helping protect property owners across Oregon and guiding associations through complex challenges. In 2018, she became one…
Loss runs are more than a record of past insurance claims. They tell a story. When reviewed thoughtfully, they reveal patterns in maintenance, operations, and risk exposure. Boards that understand how to interpret this data can move from reacting to claims to strategically planning for the future. Start by looking at the loss amounts. Are…
If the answer is “not much,” that is worth changing. Community associations and the management companies that serve them handle a surprising volume of sensitive data every day. Financial records, homeowner personal information, banking details, vendor contracts, access credentials, payment histories. All of it lives in systems that often lack the protections you would expect…
Insurance applications are legal documents, and the accuracy of the information provided is far more important than many associations realize. Material misrepresentation occurs when information on an application is inaccurate or incomplete in a way that influences an insurer’s underwriting decision. When this happens, the consequences can extend far beyond higher premiums and, in some…
When insurance carriers evaluate a community association, they are not just reviewing loss runs and replacement values. They are increasingly assessing the overall “housekeeping” of the community. In underwriting terms, housekeeping refers to how well a community maintains its property, manages everyday risk, and plans for issues before they turn into claims. In today’s insurance…
Insurance carriers are no longer evaluating communities based solely on premium and claims history—they are increasingly focused on the maintenance story a building tells. A well-structured five-year maintenance plan provides the roadmap underwriters want to see, outlining when roofs will be replaced, when plumbing risers are scheduled for upgrades, which balconies or decks are due…
As winter approaches, water losses and freeze-related damage quickly become some of the most common and easily preventable claims in condominium and HOA communities. November is the ideal time for boards and homeowners to take simple steps that can significantly reduce the risk of disruptive and costly insurance events. Whether your community has a clean…
The 2025 Oregon legislative session introduced a surge of bills that directly impact homeowners and condominium associations. These proposals addressed key issues such as construction defect liability, land use, and community governance, sparking important conversations about property rights and financial responsibility. It is essential for boards, managers, and homeowners to understand these legislative developments and…