Melissa Esham is the Community Association Advisor for Deeley Insurance Group. She has nine years of experience specializing in the needs of community associations and 17 years of community management experience. Melissa grew up in Ocean Pines, MD and now resides in a condominium association in Berlin.

Association Risk – Liability Exclusions for Communicable Disease

Community Association Institute has counseled associations Owners, Board Members and Managers to review the policies to see how they will respond to a claim involving COVID-19. Unfortunately, policies may not be clear on what is covered, but an exclusion clarifies these situations. When reviewing both General Liability and Directors & Officers Liability policies, be sure…

Maryland Condominium Act Update – Unit Owner Responsibility for the Deductible Increases

An amendment to the Maryland Condominium Act, passed during the 2020 session of the Maryland General Assembly, will take effect October 1, 2020. Currently, the association can charge up to $5,000 of the master policy deductible to the unit owner where damage originated. The new amendment will increase that cap to $10,000 of the deductible.…

2020 Flood Facts & NFIP Updates

Flood News The National Flood Insurance Program has been authorized through Sept. 30, 2020. At that time, we expect another short-term extension. As of April 1, 2020, the National Flood Insurance Program will have the following changes: Rate increases on average of 9.9% The Reserve Fund Assessment will increase from 15% to 18% per policy…

Celebrating 25 Years! – Certified Managers of Community Associations

In Maryland and Delaware, managers are not required to have a license to manage a community. The Community Association Institute (CAI) offers classes and designations for managers who complete courses of study. The Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) also provides managers the opportunity to earn the Certified Managers of Community Associations (CMCA) designation.…