KAHULUI–All insurance providers were asked to report claims payments from the Lahaina fires in a memorandum issued less than a year ago. More than 200 insurance companies have reported over 10,000 claims with an estimated 3.2 billion dollars estimated to be paid. With most claims settled, policies regarding commercial interruptions account for most lines of business are still open.

Memorandum 2023-4E, issued on September 1, 2023, requested all supply lines, as well as property and casualty insurers, release their claims payout data from the Lahaina fire. This data stays updated at cca.hawaii.gov/ins/2023-wind-and-wildfire-damage-data-call.

After a disaster or catastrophic event, affected states compile specific insurance loss data periodically. State insurance departments use this data to determine the total number of claims and insured losses. The data also improves the overall experience of policyholders, and monitors the solvency of domestic insurers.

This helps determine if insurers are financially sound to make payments to the insured. This system makes credibility transparent in an industry where mistakes could easily bankrupt families.

This data is not a report based upon individual properties, but as an aggregate of insurance policies. However, this data sheds light upon the property owners’ reasonable questions.

Residential property claims topped the list with over $1.3 billion resulting from 5,239 reported claims. A total of 53% of these claims were regarding homeowner’s insurance, which accounted for 77% of all payouts made thus far.

Fire and dwelling policies accounted for 13% of all of the types of policies, which totaled to $245,769 in payouts. Next, 385 condo/renter’s insurance claims were made with over 60.6 million paid to claimants

One understandable statistic is regarding business interruption claims. Due to the unanswered questions regarding any timeline for rebuilding, almost $1 billion in additional payouts are expected. Additionally, 7% of claims were rental insurance related, attributing $10 million dollars in payouts.

Three important state information resources for claimants seeking quality control information or guidance through this often overwhelming process are available at: http://licensedcontractor.hawaii.gov. businesscheck.hawaii.gov, and https://cca.hawaii.gov/fireclaims.

Through the recovery process, the public is reminded to be aware and cautious of potential scams. Unlicensed contractors are a major cause and catalyst for fraud after disasters. Businesscheck.hawaii.gov easily allows the property owner to verify the license status of a contractor, individuals are encouraged to utilize BusinessCheck.

This state-provided resource was designed to serve as a comprehensive reference for researching licensed professionals. It empowers users to certify licenses, review complaint histories, and discover when a business was established, all in one place. Visit businesscheck.hawaii.gov before hiring a contractor to confirm their qualifications, compliance with regulations, and accountability to a governing body.

Additionally, affected policyholders and affected individuals may be solicited and offered services to assist in the insurance process. These dedicated volunteers offer assistance at no cost. But always be informed, as due diligence is paramount, and chaos from a disaster seems to often breed confusion.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact the Insurance Division toll-free from Maui at 808-984-2400, extension 6-2790.

For insurance resources and more information on navigating the insurance claims process, visit, https://cca.hawaii.gov/fireclaims.