Water Damage Claim in CA

[adjusterjack]

What kind of lawyer would I need?

Probably one experienced in battling HOAs on behalf of homeowners.

The latest update is that the adjuster says that he did account for water mitigation in his estimate. He claims that is should have cost $1,345.67 but my invoice shows that it cost me $2532.00. How can that be?

Nobody can "predict" what any given work will cost. The adjuster's "estimate" is just that, an "estimate." He should be covering the difference based on the actual cost. Trouble is, your beef is likely with the HOA for any shortfall since the HOA insurance company is not your insurance company.

The adjuster has agreed to come to my property to view the damage and I intend to have my contractor there, but does it matter if in the end it would be an HOA approved contractor doing the work?

You are at the mercy of the HOA. No way to predict how this all will turn out.

 

[Allen Trent]

I don't believe the $5000 deductible is your individual deductible, it is the deductible for the entire association. The HOA should still be responsible for paying to have the damage repaired, even if it is under the associations deductible on their chosen policy. essentially, the association has chosen to self insure the 1st 5,000 of each loss, meaning they should have reserves saved for exactly this type of situation. If not, they will assess each unit owner for their share of any uninsured losses, etc.