Hawaiʻi Insurance Division releases current data on Maui wildfire claims

In response to the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire disaster affecting Maui, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division issued Memorandum 2023-4E on Sept. 1, 2023, requesting all property and casualty insurers and surplus lines carriers respond to a data call related to the wildfires and wind damage. Data from the respective insurers and carriers current as of June 30, 2024, is now available.

After a disaster or catastrophic event, insurance loss data specific to such an event is collected periodically from insurance companies doing business in the affected state. State insurance departments use the data for multiple reasons, including determining the total number of claims and insured losses, monitoring the solvency of domestic insurers to ensure they are financially sound to make claim payments to their insureds, and improving the overall experience of policyholders directly affected by a disaster.

Data is reported to the Insurance Division based on an aggregate of insurance policies for the affected lines of insurance and is not reported based on individual properties. 

“Behind every claim is a person, a family member, a homeowner, or a business owner. The loss we suffered as a state is unimaginable, but the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has been and will continue to support the people of Maui as they begin rebuilding,” said Insurance Commissioner Gordon I. Ito. 

Through June 30, 2024, the data collected from 200+ insurers reported:

Updates to the reported data call information can be found at cca.hawaii.gov/ins/2023-wind-and-wildfire-damage-data-call.

Through the recovery process, the public is reminded to be aware and cautious of potential scams from unlicensed contractors. Licensed contractors are required for any project exceeding $1,500 in labor and material and/or for any project requiring a permit. To learn more, visit http://licensedcontractor.hawaii.gov.

To verify the license status of a contractor, individuals are encouraged to utilize BusinessCheck. This online platform was designed to serve as a comprehensive resource 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. Dedicated volunteers offering assistance at no cost are to be commended. However, it’s important to do your due diligence when you are being asked to enter a contract for assistance and understand what the costs may be. 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.