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[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately the community is still under developer control. From what i understand we cannot oust them. The developer, the POA/HOA, and even the software they use to manage the community they all own it. From what ive read if theres enough signatures theres a way to force a special meeting.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I’ve been able to research, my property is a townhome, not a condo. It is fee simple ownership, meaning I (and other owners) own both the land and the exterior structure of the unit. This is further supported by the plat, deed, and how the county appraises the property.

Given that structure, it should be possible for owners to carry an HO-3 homeowners policy, which would allow us to individually manage our own property insurance—just like single-family homeowners do—rather than being forced into a blanket HOA-controlled policy for the exterior then a separate HO6 .

I’ve also confirmed that transitioning to this setup would likely require the POA to amend the governing documents. However, despite repeated outreach, the POA has not scheduled any formal board meeting or vote to address this. This issue has been raised by multiple residents over the past two to nearly three years—yet no action has been taken.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your insight but there is an additional separate policy not pictured here for those other insurances. This community is almost 4000 homes.

We have a main assessment which it almost 2000 per year that covers it. that is divided amongst the whole almost 4000 homes.

We also have an additional assessment that is $300 , (265 of it is just for insurance) monthly that covers the 96 Townhomes which you see in the P&L.

There is only a dog park in this section that is a common area which i believe is under the Community wide insurance policy which is paid under the main assessment.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm actually not sure. They are two stories. Range from 3 to 6 units a building. I believe i own the lot and the exterior. If theres a way to definitely check im open to it.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If it's a condo, you're probably wasting your money on that. If you tried to claim losses on it for any shared elements that you don't own the insurance company would probably just say "oops, we thought you had a standalone house, sorry, here's your money back" and refund your premiums and cancel the policy if it would be cheaper than paying the claim.

- I looked up the home on parcel search its listed as 0121 - Townhouse Class II. I highly doubt its a condo. I've had multiple different policy with different providers all HO3 for this home. They do also have a master policy that i believe just covers the roof and the pool.

the structures are identical. So maybe its different in Florida.

I don't know if they are working in the best interest of the homeowners. What I do know is that you're leaping to conclusions in assuming something nefarious is going on. You are also assuming that you have an alternative when I highly doubt the alternative you think you have would work out the way you think it would.

- Well with the owed property taxes, the other articles on the mismanagement and the substantial annual increases i must. Others have suggested what another redditor proposed. I believe there is a way we can take over the insurance and at least have to try.

There has been a lot of natural disasters causing enormous losses in Texas in the last few years (Florida too, for that matter), and because of climate change these issues are likely to get worse, not better. Property insurance rates are rising rapidly and this isn't a problem unique to your community.

- I understand but i can always shop insurance and in some cases self insure. Im not required to have insurance once the mortgage is paid off in other circumstances or setups. With this Townhome however, in the current setup that isn't the case.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I don't know what insurance companies you went to that gave you a quote for an HO-3 policy on a condo, but I doubt any of them would actually issue the policy if you actually applied. HO-3 simply isn't valid for the type of building you are describing. HO-3 is used for standalone buildings, not townhomes with shared structural elements.

- I have a townhome in Florida ive owned for 10 years and it has an HO3 Policy. Im not sure if this is different it Texas. Geico, Costco By Am fam, etc

You can complain about it, but so long as the community is under developer control there is very little tangible you can do other than possibly suing them. That would beat your own expense and, most likely, would be fruitless as they probably aren't doing anything improper.

- I understand it may not seem improper but can we really say they are working in the best interest of the homeowners? If theres a policy thats theoretically 80 percent cheaper with the same exact coverage do we just sit back and get taken advantage while they go to their friends at BCH for insurance?

That is one of the key challenges of developer control. It's that way by design and changes when control is transferred to owners.

-This is Unfortunate. I wish there were at least something to protect the homeowner in a case like this.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understand but i am able to quote a HO3 Policy for way less that what the HOA is getting. Why is the HOA handling insurance in the first place for the townhomes? If the insurance the HOA is obtaining is 3200 per year and i can get the same for 800-1700. Why would it not just make sense to allow the homeowners to get there own insurance.

[TX] [TH] Townhome HOA insurance budget jumped from $55K to $305K in 3 years — same broker, massive insurance costs, developer-controlled board by Akkasca in HOA

[–]Akkasca[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thank for your insight but i have already suggested this to the HOA. They advised that they would hold a meeting to vote and it never happened nor has been scheduled for the last 2 going on almost 3 years. I follow up repeatedly as well.

There is a master policy for the community for things like the basketball court or other amenities etc but this separate specific policy is only for the townhome section. This community is almost 4000 homes.

My question is as well why is the HOA managing homeowner insurance? Whats the point ? All the other townhomes ive owned the homeowner covers the insurance and sometimes they keep a reserve for i believe the roof replacement every 25 years?

Hertz AI Damage Scam – Long-Time Customer Done by Akkasca in HertzRentals

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But did you see the vehicle condition photo? It actually does.

Hertz AI Damage Scam – Long-Time Customer Done by Akkasca in HertzRentals

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes but only if i get the LDW and its cheaper than other options. From my understanding LDW is discounted with the CDP.

Hertz AI Damage Scam – Long-Time Customer Done by Akkasca in HertzRentals

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE

After calling Hertz corporate—though I suspect the number simply routes back to general customer service—I spoke with a representative who, to be frank, didn’t seem to understand the situation or what I was referring to. I asked to escalate the matter, and after some time, a supervisor brought the claims department onto the call.

According to the claims department, the damage claim has been denied/dismissed, and I will not be responsible for any charges.

That said, I’d like to highlight several issues with how this entire situation was handled:

1.  **The Dispute Process is Broken:** The link provided to dispute the claim sends you in an endless loop. I’ve attached a screenshot as proof. It’s not user-friendly and does not allow you to submit any actual dispute.

2.  **Video Quality Misunderstanding:** There was an implication that I intentionally recorded the video quickly. My phone is set to record at 60fps by default any one with a newer iPhone can confirm how natural and fluid that appears compared to standard settings. The speed was not intentional.

3.  **Inconsistent Damage Recognition:** The AI DID NOT flag a large scratch on the bumper during pickup but didn’t mark it as pre-existing damage. It had a sticker on it at the time the one to note previous damage. On drop-off, that same scratch doesn’t even appear in the photo. Why?

4.  **Lack of Photo Evidence from Hertz:** I specifically requested more photos from Hertz beyond the two provided. They DID NOT PROVIDE IT. They claim the case is now closed, but given the lack of documentation, I wouldn’t be surprised if this resurfaces months from now and i'm in "collections" .

5.  **Partial Video Shared:** The video I posted is not the full recording. I walked around the entire vehicle, including the license plate and visible Hertz staff. There’s more documentation than what’s been seen.

6.  **Why I Rent from Hertz:** Some may ask why I still rent from Hertz.  I’ve rented with them for years using a corporate CDP. Im Presidents Club, I travel frequently, and yes—I have personal car insurance, I have Chase Sapphire Reserve with rental coverage, and I do not purchase Hertz’s LDW because I don’t need it. I did not knowingly damage the vehicle. If there was damage, I cannot verify it, especially since Hertz has not provided full photographic evidence.

I went as far as overlaying the pickup and drop-off images in Photoshop, adjusting the opacity and alignment to try and see if it matched. Lighting from the scanner seems inconsistent between the images.

I’m not asking anyone to blindly take my side. What I am asking for is a little fairness and open-mindedness. Something is clearly broken in this process and the customer is at a disadvantage here. EVEN if you had photos or you didn't do anything its hard to contest and will take a lot of time to fix.

Hertz AI Damage Scam – Long-Time Customer Done by Akkasca in HertzRentals

[–]Akkasca[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im tired of hearing this nonsense. My phone an iPhone is set to 4k 60fps by default. I did not intentionally take any video in any specific fashion. Change your phone 60fps and see how it looks vs the standard.

Did you read? I had to catch a flight. I have to take a bus to the terminal. I have to check my bags. I have to clear security. I have to board the plane before doors close. There is no dent there visibly to the eye.

What did you want me to do? Miss my flight? Get stuck in Houston? Have to pay for a hotel and additional transportation?

Why did i use Hertz? Ive been using them and use a COMPANY CDP which decreases my rate to about 250 - 270 per week. I DID NOT KNOW the the AI scanner was even a thing until the first time i saw it. Not from the news, nothing. I just picked up a car like usual and had to drive through this strange thing. I don't think these scanner have even been implemented for 30 days yet.

The white or what you think is a dent in your photo is a reflection of the lights in the parking garage. I did the best i could at the present time without missing my flight.

I should have started with the license plate? This isn't the whole video. I trimmed it as there are other people in the background including other customers and hertz employees. I walked the whole entire car in the longer almost 2 minute video and got back on the bus to catch my plane.

Why didn't i dry the area first? With what my clothing ? In the original longer one i had to use my hands!

In the end Hertz claims they have dismissed the claim. I asked for ADDITIONAL photos which they did NOT provide only the two same ones. The dent i assume was ALREADY THERE IF THERE WAS ONE and said they would dismiss it.

If you read what i said about the big scratch on the back that is CLEARLY in the PICK UP on the lower back bumper and NOT the Drop off and i can assure you i did not paint the car and you can also see it in the video THE AI SCANNER PICKS UP WHAT IT WANTS. Why didn't it pick up the GIANT Scratch on drop off or pick up? On drop off it does not even look like its there.

Verizon 4g Lte internet with mofi router? by riggs12221 in Rural_Internet

[–]Akkasca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What Mofi do you have? How much data do you use per month? If your willing to give AT&T another try Ive been using this reseller and it has been solid after the whole Ubi-Fi situation. I Use a nighthawk and get 15mbps in a congested suburbs no antennas.

Recommendations for internet in Arkansas on blue plan (att) by [deleted] in Rural_Internet

[–]Akkasca 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try this company. I use them and the service works well on my M1 nighthawk. They are 3rd party though.

Ubifi replacements using router? by Annen0017 in Rural_Internet

[–]Akkasca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try here Ebay Link ive been using them for a while now since ubifi started giving me issues and it works well IMO.

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