E.A. from Collier County, Florida writes:
Dear Mister Condo,
Next door neighbor’s visiting relative backed into our 2-car garage door at fairly high rate of speed. Knocked the entire door off the track, crumbled it, and it is laying on top of my 2020 Lincoln. (Lincoln appears to be totaled). Our home owner insurance adjuster told us in Florida all condominiums are responsible for the garage doors. Is this true? He could not give me the FL statute, but said that state “policy” has been in effect since 1990s. Who is responsible for replacing the garage door in this situation? Thank you.
Mister Condo replies:
E.A., I am so sorry that a careless visitor did so much damage to your condo and your home. I am not aware of any statute that requires a condo association to insure garage doors but it is typical for unit exteriors to be covered under the association’s insurance policy. Garage doors are one of those grey areas because they have both an exterior and interior with the working mechanism of the garage door on the interior of the unit. Have you asked your condo Board or Manager how to handle the claim? You can look at your own by-laws to see if they address the garage door’s ownership and maintenance. Ideally, your homeowners’ policy would handle your claim but they have already pushed back. I think I would review my policy and see if they aren’t partially or completely liable. You may also have a case against the person who did all that damage. After all, they are the reason you are in this position in the first place. All the best!