If your homeowners association property has been damaged in a natural disaster—hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or fire — there are some important steps you can take in the immediate aftermath to ensure your safety and minimize financial loss.

While nearly all homeowners associations have some type of policies on the books, many HOA boards have little or no idea what type of insurance they have or need. This can potentially lead to expensive litigation and claims that can cost your association thousands, and sometimes even millions of dollars.

One common subject that often causes confusion in a homeowners association is grasping the difference between the maintenance responsibilities of an association and the items that are covered by the association’s insurance policy. Often owners and even HOA board members may not understand the differences between these two subjects.