The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently upheld a decision regarding a dispute over a condominium insurance policy. The case, Marisol Rodríguez Taboada v. Consejo De Titulares Y/O Junta De Directores Del Condominio Doral Plaza (Docket TA2026RA00127), involved a complaint from a resident against the condominium's governing board. This ruling is significant as it clarifies the legal requirements for insurance policy approvals within condominiums in Puerto Rico.

The case began when Marisol Rodríguez Taboada filed a complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACo) on June 26, 2025. She contested the selection of a full value insurance policy made by the Consejo de Titulares, the governing board of the Doral Plaza Condominium. Rodríguez Taboada argued that the insurance policy was approved without the necessary two-thirds majority vote required by the Condominium Law of Puerto Rico. She claimed that the board held an extraordinary assembly on May 27, 2025, where three insurance options were presented, and despite her objections, the full value policy was selected.

Rodríguez Taboada's complaint was dismissed by DACo on January 28, 2026, which led her to seek judicial review from the Court of Appeals. The board of directors of the condominium argued that the resident was obligated to pay for the selected insurance policy, regardless of her opposition. They contended that the DACo lacked jurisdiction over the matter, stating that such issues should be addressed by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.

On May 12, 2026, the Court of Appeals, led by Judge Campos Pérez, confirmed DACo's summary ruling. The court found that the board had complied with the legal requirements for the approval of the insurance policy. They stated, "The selection of the full value coverage was approved with the required two-thirds majority as prescribed by law." The court also noted that Rodríguez Taboada's objections did not negate her obligation to contribute to the insurance costs.

The ruling emphasized that the DACo acted within its jurisdiction and that the decision was supported by substantial evidence. The court noted that the issues raised by Rodríguez Taboada regarding the voting process and the validity of the policy were adequately addressed in the agency's findings. The court stated, "The agency acted within the parameters of its enabling law, without being arbitrary or unreasonable."

This decision has important implications for condominium residents in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the requirement for a two-thirds majority vote for insurance policy approvals and clarifies the jurisdictional boundaries between DACo and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Residents must understand that even if they oppose a decision made by the governing board, they may still be required to pay for the agreed-upon insurance policy.

Moving forward, this ruling sets a precedent for similar disputes involving condominium governance and insurance policies. It highlights the importance of understanding the legal frameworks governing condominium associations and the responsibilities of both the board and the residents.

As for what’s next, it is unclear whether Rodríguez Taboada plans to appeal the decision. The court's ruling appears to be final unless further legal action is taken. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court opinion.