DOESN’T HURT TO HIRE A PRO

By Rafael Aquino

Published June 26, 2019  

 

For years now, I've also witnessed first-hand how Board members are scared to file a claim because they feel that rates will go up the following year.  In some way, this is true; however, it doesn't justify the action.  Why?  For years your association has been paying for insurance coverage for just this kind of emergency or incident, so why not use it?

 

On Monday, Eric addressed what steps must be taken if an association is threated, emailed, or served a lawsuit and he stated clearly that Board members and or management should put your insurance company on notice.  It is equally as essential to put your insurance company on notice for any other damages your association may have incurred. However, it's vital to know that when you file a claim, the statements you provide to such carrier are equally as important.  That is why I recommend associations have some representation when filing a claim and in my opinion, your best bet is to hire a Public Adjuster. While many may not like having to pay for a Public Adjuster, my experience has shown that the return on investment is worth every penny.

 

We are amid Hurricane Season and if you don't know a competent Public Adjuster now is the time to start making some calls and getting an understanding of their abilities, past experiences, the percentage of the claims they collect and what they will charge your association.  Waiting till something (claim) happens only puts you in a position of weakness and prone to selecting the wrong public adjuster.  Trust me when I tell you the value is there as long as you pick a great organization. After Hurricane Irma, I experienced associations that didn't want to hire a public adjuster, and they struggled to collect, and when they did, they received peanuts.  I also experienced a board that tired to do it on their own, they received an initial offer of $300K  from the insurance company, we insisted they hire a public adjuster, which they did, and they are now finalizing a claim close to $900K.

 

Managing a loss is not an easy undertaken, and it shouldn't be something that your board or management should handle. A professional should be hired to do what the expert does best. Don't hesitate to file a claim, and if representation is needed, hire a professional to do the job.
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As the Co-Founder and CEO of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to redefine excellence. They serve community   associations   efficiently

and effectively with dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and excitement when providing expert advice to its board members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running a community association.

 

Since 2007, Rafael has developed a work culture that values responsive and high-quality services. He has led his team by following a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each association. Today, Affinity Management Services maintains its success and benefits as a result of the foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by providing educational seminars, continuing education classes for association managers and board members alike.


Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’ associations save money and improve their communities. His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out for the best interests of his clients and communities, and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role requires coordination and communication, as such he takes logical and intelligent steps to approach challenges head-on.


As a graduate of Florida International University’s electrical engineering program and a licensed community association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip him with unique insights to tackle complex problems through critical thinking. He understands how each component within a system works together in order to effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple challenges of running a community association management company, he understands how each property is its own unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure that all their needs are met.

For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity Management Services please visit www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279

Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST

Suite 200

Doral, FL 33166

Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300

Plantation, FL 33324

O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053

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