Ask An Expert

Dear Kris,

We’re sorry to hear this additional worry on top of the wildfire trauma. There should be a HI law preventing insurers from non-renewing disaster survivors with open claims. To our knowledge there isn’t such a law. Your best bet is to work with an insurance agent on the island who’s familiar with all the potential options – including the home insurer of last resort.

Somewhat recently, the Hawai‘i Insurance Division at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issued a bulletin regarding next steps for homeowners who have been non-renewed (https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/release-universal-property-casualty-to-exit-hawaii-insurance-market/#:~:text=Non%2Drenewal%20will%20begin%20with,policyholders%20on%20Hawai’i%20Island).

Importantly, they note that “If homeowners are unable to obtain Homeowners or Dwelling Fire coverage from a private insurance company, they may qualify for coverage from the Hawaii Property Insurance Association.” (https://www.hpiainfo.com/)

Here’s one of the many commercial websites that list companies that might be an option: https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/hawaii/. Since at this point you only need a policy to protect you from liability claims if someone were to be injured on your lot and to insure the contents you’re replacing – you may be able to find a policy with limited coverage.

We wish you the best of luck in finding a policy for next year.

Dear Kris, 

We’re sorry to hear this additional worry on top of the wildfire trauma – There should be a HI law preventing insurers from non-renewing disaster survivors with open claims. To our knowledge there isn’t such a law. Your best bet is to work with an insurance agent on the island who’s familiar with all the potential options – including the home insurer of last resort.

The Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issued a bulletin regarding some possible next steps for homeowners who have been non-renewed: “The Hawai‘i Insurance Division encourages homeowners to talk to their agent to identify insurance coverage options in their area.  If homeowners are unable to obtain Homeowners or Dwelling Fire coverage from a private insurance company, they may qualify for coverage from the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (hpiainfo.com).” (https://cca.hawaii.gov/blog/release-universal-property-casualty-to-exit-hawaii-insurance-market/#:~:text=Non%2Drenewal%20will%20begin%20with,policyholders%20on%20Hawai’i%20Island.)

Here’s one of the many commercial websites that list companies that might be an option. Since at this point you only need a policy to protect you from liability claims if someone were to be injured on your lot and to insure the contents you’re replacing – you may be able to find a policy with limited coverage.

UP’s website also contains information and advice regarding how to shop for a homeowner policy when you have been dropped by your insurer (https://uphelp.org/events/how-to-shop-when-youve-been-dropped/) (https://uphelp.org/dropped-by-your-home-insurer-what-to-do/?print=print).

We wish you the best of luck in finding a policy for next year.