Happy New Year, Coverage Corner readers!

I, for one, can’t really believe it is 2026 already, but here we are!

While we ponder our arrival in another new year, we should probably also ponder some New Year’s resolutions for our communities.

Or, let’s call it strategic planning in advance of our insurance renewals, shall we?

Because if there’s one resolution worth making this year, it’s to be more proactive about how your community is presented to insurance underwriters.

First, Let’s Talk About Underwriters

We’re all very aware that insurance underwriters are being a lot pickier about the communities they accept.

But what exactly does an underwriter do?

Underwriters are the folks working for insurance carriers who review community applications and determine whether those communities are worthy of their coverage and, if they are, how much premium they’ll be charged.

They look at the age and condition of the property, claims history, wildfire exposure, infrastructure, maintenance, reserve studies, photos, inspections, and a whole lot more.

I think we can all agree that impressing these underwriters is a top priority.

So, how do we do that?

Strategic planning.

Don’t Wait for the Underwriter to Ask

We already know that underwriters are going to review a plethora of information.

We also know they’re probably going to have questions.

So instead of waiting for those questions to come back one at a time, why not answer as many as possible before they’re even asked?

If we can pre-load an insurance submission with information that addresses likely underwriting concerns, we accomplish two things.

First, we save everyone a lot of time.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, we demonstrate that the community manager and board of directors are proactive and paying attention to risk.

That’s the picture we want to paint.

Resolution #1: Tell the Story Behind Your Claims

Had a recent insurance claim?

Don’t simply submit the loss history and hope for the best.

Explain what happened and, more importantly, what the community has done to help prevent it from happening again.

Maybe a plumbing loss resulted in hydro flushing or pipe inspections. Perhaps an electrical issue led to panel replacements.

Maybe a liability claim prompted new community rules or safety procedures.

Whatever the situation, tell the story.

You want the underwriter to understand that the association didn’t simply experience a claim and move on.

You learned from it and took action.

Resolution #2: Know the Condition of Your Aging Infrastructure

Aging infrastructure continues to be a major concern for insurance carriers.

If your community has older:

• Electrical systems
• Roofs
• Plumbing
• Other major building components

…have documentation ready.

Inspection reports can be extremely valuable, particularly when they show that older systems are still in good condition.

And if an inspection identifies a problem?

That’s okay, too.

What’s important is showing that the association knows about the issue and has a plan to address it.

Resolution #3: If You Have Wildfire Exposure, Show What You’re Doing About It

If your community has a high wildfire score, don’t leave the underwriter wondering what you’re doing to mitigate that risk.

Tell them.

Provide information about efforts such as:

• Brush clearing
• Vegetation management
• Defensible space
• Building improvements
• Wildfire mitigation projects
• Firewise Community designation

If you’re currently applying for a Firewise Community designation, include a status update.

Again, don’t wait for the underwriter to ask.

The goal is to show that your community understands its wildfire exposure and is actively doing something about it.

Resolution #4: Google Your Community

Yes, I’m bringing this one up again.

Look at your community online.

Why?

Because the underwriter probably will.

Check Google Street View and other publicly available photos of the property.

Are the images old?

Do they show something that has since been repaired, removed, or improved?

Is there anything in those photos that might raise a question for someone who doesn’t know your community?

If there is, get ahead of it.

Provide updated photos and an explanation with your submission rather than waiting for the underwriter to discover an old image and make an assumption.

Remember, you’re trying to paint an accurate picture of the community as it exists today.

Don’t let an outdated photo paint that picture for you.

Resolution #5: Show That You’re Educating Residents

Risk management isn’t limited to fixing buildings.

Sometimes it’s about helping residents avoid creating problems in the first place.

If your community regularly communicates safety information, include examples.

That could mean community rules, newsletters, notices, or educational materials addressing things such as:

• Balcony safety
• Water feature and pool rules
• Plumbing and what residents shouldn’t put down drains
• Fire safety
• Electrical safety
• Other community-specific risks

These materials help demonstrate that the association isn’t simply reacting to problems.

You’re actively working to prevent them.

Resolution #6: Have a Plan for the Problems You Already Know About

Let’s be realistic.

No community is perfect.

There may be aging infrastructure, deferred projects, wildfire mitigation work, or other issues that simply can’t be fixed overnight.

Insurance carriers understand that.

What they don’t want to see is a known problem with no plan for addressing it.

If there’s a potential issue in the community, provide the status of the association’s efforts to resolve it.

For example:

• Signed contracts for infrastructure improvements
• Contractor proposals
• Project timelines
• Estimated completion dates
• Board-approved improvement plans
• Status reports for a Firewise Community designation application

A project doesn’t necessarily have to be finished for the information to be valuable.

Showing that the association recognizes the issue and has a plan to address it can make a meaningful difference.

Help Us Paint the Right Picture

It is the insurance professional’s job to paint a picture of your community for the underwriter.

And that’s really what all of this comes down to.

If the insurance professional only has a basic application, claims history, and whatever an underwriter happens to find online, that picture may be incomplete.

Or worse, it may be inaccurate.

But when community managers and board members strategically plan ahead and provide inspection reports, updated photos, mitigation efforts, project timelines, safety communications, and explanations of previous claims, we can paint a much clearer picture.

One that shows a community that is proactive, well-maintained, aware of its risks, and actively working to address them.

That’s a much more appealing picture for an underwriter.

Make Proactive Planning Your 2026 Resolution

You can’t control every factor that affects your insurance renewal.

But you can control how prepared you are.

So, while you’re working on those personal New Year’s resolutions, add one more for your community:

Start preparing for your insurance renewal before you’re asked.

Community managers, board members, and insurance professionals working together can make the process easier for everyone.

And ideally, the resulting coverage and premium will be a reflection of that collaboration.

Now that’s a New Year’s resolution worth keeping.