Inside a Co-op's Insurance Nightmare and Remarkable Recovery

If your building was suddenly hit with a 400% insurance premium hike, who do you turn to? That was the question facing a Queens co-op after a devastating fire. Vik Shingwani, a property manager at First Management Corporation, reveals how strategic management helped reduce their renewal from $750,000 to $510,000 — still high, but a significant improvement. Shingwani offers practical insights on navigating catastrophic claims, managing affected residents, and implementing preventive measures that insurance companies actually respond to. Habitat’s Paula Chin conducts the interview. How To Run Your Building: For Co-ops and Condos