2023 Hawai’i Wildfires – Insurance Claim and Recovery Help
An aerial image taken on August 10, 2023 shows destroyed homes and buildings burned to the ground in Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in western Maui, Hawaii. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
| May 2024 UPdate: Survivors can get help from FEMA and SBA at the Disaster Recovery Center now located at the Hyatt Regency Location. State and Maui County and other resources at the newly opened Community Resources Center at The Royal Lahaina from 8am-4pm M-F, 8am-2pm on Saturday. For more info: Read the disaster recovery update here.
To schedule a time to meet with United Policyholders for wildfire recovery and insurance guidance , email: Sherry@uphelp.org or text: 808-214-8713 May 2024 UPdate: Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program accepting applications May 6. Homeowners displaced by the Maui Wildfires with a mortgage, other qualified housing expenses and needing other resources to help them avoid foreclosure may be eligible for assistance and are encouraged to apply. Eligible County of Maui homeowners are encouraged to apply to CCH. Learn more here. Insured Hawaii wildfire survivors may qualify for FEMA’s Direct Lease Program even if they have not used up all their ALE/Loss of Use benefits. FEMA is providing direct housing assistance by leasing rentals to insured wildfire survivors whether they have used up all their ALE/Loss of Use or not. Learn more here. April 2024 Update: New Permit Center Opens: https://www.mauirecovers.org/housing Hawaii Governor Green extended an eviction moratorium and prohibition against rent increases on Maui with an 8th Emergency Proclamation. Contact the Attorney General’s office if your Maui landlord is raising the rent from what it was on August 9th. The renewed Emergency Proclamation will be in effect through May 4, 2024. Visit the www.MauiRecovers.org for regular updates and links to useful information. |
If you, your friends, neighbors, relatives or co-workers have been personally impacted by this horrific event, know that United Policyholders’ staff and volunteers will be making our wildfire recovery expertise and support easily accessible and current, now and in the months and years ahead.
United Policyholders is a non-profit organization that has three-plus decades of expertise in wildfire recovery, insurance, repairs and rebuilding. We offer reliable strategies, information and pearls of wisdom and support. We’re rooting for you and here to help. No strings attached. We don’t sell our services or provide one-on-one professional claim or legal help, but we offer honest, free and experienced guidance and links to reliable professional and government resources.
“Team UP ” (our staff, volunteers and partners) includes people who were born and raised on Maui, people who live and work on Maui, and people who’ve navigated recovering from a total or partial wildfire loss in the past. We offer emotional support from people who genuinely care about helping you navigate successfully because they’ve “been there, done that” after past wildfires. Our hearts and minds are with those who’ve been impacted by this horrific event.
If your property is damaged or was destroyed, through our Roadmap to Recovery® program, you can access free, trustworthy help navigating the process of returning to a wildfire damaged area, repairing and replacing damaged and destroyed property, and collecting all available insurance funds.
Below you will find shortcuts to items in our extensive library of resources that should be most useful and relevant to your current situation.
Download Wildfire Recovery GuideNOTE: United Policyholders respects and protects the privacy of all who communicate with our organization. We do not share or sell our mailing lists.
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Taking it in and Getting Started
Video: Roadmap to Recovery Orientation Webinar 9/27/23
Video: How to Read and Understand Your Policy 10/26/23
Watch our FIRST STEPS AFTER A WILDFIRE video here.
President Biden approved a major disaster declaration related to this event. Please check this page on the FEMA website for updates and information on their assistance offerings.
COFA citizens directly impacted by the Maui fires are eligible to apply for FEMAʻs Individuals and Households program. The application period is open from now until Friday, May 31st. To apply, contact 808-784-1952 or visit the Lāhainā Disaster Recovery Center. More information about eligibility, necessary documents, and how to apply here.
Resources General- First Steps After a Wildfire
- Primeros Pasos Despues de un Incendio Forestal
- Top 10 Insurance Claim Tips
- A Guide to Your Homeowners Policy
- Sample Letter Requesting Complete Copy of Homeowners Policy
- Speak UP: How to communicate with your insurance company
- Avoiding Frauds and Scams After a Disaster
- 2023 Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Guide
- Register with FEMA (if/when declared)
- Insurance Lingo en Español
- AT&T Disaster Recovery - Customer Relief
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Arranging Temporary Housing
May 2024 UPdate: Insured Hawaii wildfire survivors may qualify for FEMA’s Direct Lease Program even if they have not used up all their ALE/Loss of Use benefits. FEMA is providing direct housing assistance by leasing rentals to insured wildfire survivors whether they have used up all their ALE/Loss of Use or not. Learn more here.
Resources GeneralResources Total LossResources Partial Loss -
Getting Organized, Informed and Empowered
Resources General
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Getting Debris Removed
Debris Removal related deadline: June 15, 2024: Application deadline to sign up for either the Alternative Debris Removal Program or obtain an approved Right-of-Entry (ROE) for the Government-Sponsored Consolidated Debris Removal, per adopted standards
Under the government-sponsored program, there are no out-of-pocket costs incurred by the property owners, while the alternative program allows property owners to opt out and manage the cleanup with their own licensed contractors.
If you are choosing not to participate in the Government-Sponsored Consolidated Debris Removal, please complete an Alternative Debris Removal Form. For more info, read: https://www.mauicounty.gov/
civicalerts.aspx?AID=13400 Resources General -
Being Proactive in Documenting and Valuing Your Losses
Total Losses
If you lost your home, please read through the steps and publications on this page and sign up to receive updates from us that will help you in your recovery.
Partial Losses/Standing Homes
If your home was spared but was exposed to extreme heat and smoke, we offer specialized guidance on partial loss insurance claim issues related to proper cleaning, inspecting for damage, restoring healthy indoor air quality and repairing obvious as well as hidden damage.
Resources General- Insurance Recovery Tips for the Dwelling Part of Your Claim
- The Scoop on “Scope” (of loss)
- Guidelines For Reviewing Adjusters’ And Contractors’ Estimates
- Xactimate Demystified
- Survivors Speak: Estimating Your Loss
- Sample Letters and Claim Documents
- Reimbursement for Claim Preparation Expenses
- Insurance Coverage for Damaged or Destroyed Septic Systems
- Guest Blog: Mobile Inspections for Property Claims
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Creating Your Home Inventory and Navigating Your Contents Claim
Resources GeneralResources Partial Loss
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Making Housing and Financial Decisions
Relief is available at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for Homeowners Impacted by Maui Wildfires
Resources GeneralResources Total Loss - Choosing a Contractor
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Working with Your Mortgage Company
Your mortgage company cannot require you pay off your loan with your insurance proceeds, but they will typically be listed on the insurance payments along with you. Fannie Mae’s Here2Help program can help eligible homeowners navigate the broader financial impacts of disaster and the challenging recovery process with a team of HUD-approved housing counselors offering:
- A personalized recovery assessment and action plan
- Help with claims and denials from FEMA, insurance, mortgage servicers, and other sources
- Web resources and ongoing guidance and check-ins from experienced disaster relief advisors
Homeowners can call 877-437-3243 to access this program or other available resources.
Visit Fannie Mae’s FannieMae.com/HERE2HELP consumer website for housing resources, including details on disaster relief.
Use this link to check if you have a Fannie Mae backed mortgage: https://yourhome.fanniemae.com/calculators-tools/loan-lookup
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Getting help if/when you need it
If you suffer a major loss involving a large sum of money, you may need to hire professional help to get a full and fair settlement.
If you need assistance beyond insurance claim help, you can call 211. After calling 211, you will go through an intake process. A navigator will then work to assign a case manager. If a survivor has moved off island, the number to call to be connected to disaster case management services is 1-800-ASK-2000.
The disaster case manager can help identify and facilitate access to appropriate community resources that will support your long term recovery plan.
Resources General - Taking Care of Yourself Along the Way
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Government Bulletins & Announcements
Visit the Hawaii Office of Emergency Management Agency for updates and links to useful information.
- For updates on Maui, visit the County of Maui website: https://www.mauicounty.gov/
- Civic alerts (most updated information): https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx
- For updates on Hawai‘i Island, visit the Hawaiʻi County website: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/
- Disaster-related Emergency Proclamations are viewable here: https://governor.hawaii.gov/category/newsroom/
FEMA Fact Sheet. Beware of Frauds and Scams
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance: