In this episode of the Multifamily Innovation® Podcast, host Patrick Antrim spends time with Marc Ness, founder of WeatherShield, who shares his expertise on protecting property investments during severe weather conditions.
Marc, who has over two decades of experience in construction, investment, and insurance, provides insights on how to prepare for and handle weather-related property damage claims. He emphasizes the importance of understanding property insurance policies and claims processes to ensure maximum coverage and quick recovery.
Marc stresses the importance of being proactive in addressing potential storm damage to minimize future insurance claims. He explains that by addressing and correcting storm damage immediately, property owners can prevent further damage and potentially avoid costly insurance claims. Also highlighted the importance of being aware of storm damage to avoid selling a multifamily property for less than its worth due to undisclosed damage. Being proactive and knowledgeable about storm damage can help multifamily investors make sound and smart decisions to minimize financial losses. Multifamily property owners have a duty to mitigate damage and should address any issues promptly to prevent further damage and ensure coverage by their insurance company.
Multifamily investors can leverage insurance scenarios to make capital improvements without spending their own money. Acquisition teams need to look for properties that have the potential for found money in them where damage has occurred. By leveraging the insurance scenario, investors can get some capital improvements accomplished without spending capital improvement dollars. However, it’s important for apartment investors to be proactive in these matters rather than reactive, and to have knowledge and awareness of their options. Additionally, having a sound risk preparedness plan in place as part of an asset management strategy is important.
Hidden damages can be discovered by a trained eye, such as potential leaks, holes, cracks in vinyl siding, and broken windows. By being aware of these damages, apartment property managers can address and correct them immediately, preventing further damage and potentially reducing costs in the long run.
Additionally, being aware of storm damage can help property owners file insurance claims and potentially receive compensation for damages. The episode also highlights the financial impact of storm damage, which can lead to the devaluation of assets and loss of return on investment. Having foundational knowledge and being aware of storm damage is crucial in making sound and smart decisions to minimize risk and potential costs.
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Severe hailstorm in North Texas.
[00:03:57] Severe storm damage.
[00:09:13] Apartment building vulnerabilities.
[00:12:14] Storm damage and multifamily property value.
[00:16:04] Independent evaluation for storm damage.
[00:20:41] Understanding deductibles in insurance for multifamily properties.
[00:23:00] Insurance premium misconceptions.
[00:29:36] Independent assessment for apartment property damage.
[00:31:37] Contractor vs Adjuster Perspective.
[00:36:24] Insurance claim mitigation in multifamily.
[00:38:47] Focus on one thing.
Connect:
Marc Ness: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-ness-101bbb7a/
Patrick Antrim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickantrim/