Understanding The Valuations Of Condo Association Property

By Chris Boggs
October 07, 2009

Statutes and even associational declarations differ on the valuation method required when placing insurance coverage on the association's property. Actual cash value (ACV), replacement cost (RC) and even market value are mandated options in statute and associational declarations and bylaws.
Most statutes require actual cash value as recommended by the Uniform Common Interest Act. Ohio statute (5311.16) requires the association property be insured based on fair market value and other statutes mandate replacement cost.
Again, statutes are only the default setting. Insurance limits should be no less than the amount developed when the valuation method required by the declarations is applied to the property. However, replacement cost is recommended regardless of the amount required by statute or covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R's).
Defined Values
Three distinctly different property "values" can be assigned to associational property: actual cash value, replacement cost and market value. Two are common to insurance, and one generally has no relevance in insurance, until the government or an unknowing attorney gets involved.
Actual cash value (ACV) is the cost new (replacement cost) on the date of the loss minus physical depreciation. Physical depreciation results from use and ultimate wear and tear meaning that the insured does not get paid for the "used up" value of the property.
Attention must be paid to the beginning point in the calculation of ACV, the cost new on the date of the loss. ACV is not based on the value when it was built or at any point between the construction date and the date of the loss. Only the cost new on the date of the loss matters; this is key when choosing limits.
Replacement cost is the cost to replace with new material of like kind and quality on the date of the loss. There is no allowance or penalty for age, depreciation or condition. The insured must simply insure the property at what it will cost to buy or build it today.
Market value is negotiated between and agreed to by a willing buyer and a willing seller. It can fluctuate up and down based on the economy, condition, use or need and has little relation to the true cost to rebuild a particular structure. Normally market value has little relationship to insurance. The rise and fall of the market value does not necessarily change the cost to rebuild a building following a loss.
If the market value is the rule applied in a particular state or association's declarations, the agent must be prepared for and be able to explain this concept regardless of the fact that such value is not normally associated with property insurance values.
Values and Coverage Provided by the Unit-Owners Form (HO 00 06)
Unendorsed the Unit-Owners Form provides replacement cost coverage on the building (Coverage "A") and actual cash value on personal property (Coverage "C"). Coverage "A" is limited to a specified amount ($1,000 or $5,000) unless specifically increased by the unit owner. The owner's need to increase Coverage "A" is a function of the coverage required to be provided by the association based on the level of associational responsibility defined above.
Both Coverage "A" and Coverage "C" apply Broad Form Named Perils coverage unless endorsed to cover "Special" causes of loss. Expansion to "open perils" coverage can be accomplished by attaching HO 17 31 to Coverage "C" and the HO 17 32 to Coverage "A."
Coverage "C" can be transformed from actual cash value to replacement cost with the attachment of the HO 04 90 - Personal Property Replacement Cost Loss Settlement endorsement.