The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division has released data on claims related to the August 8, 2023 wildfire disaster in Maui. This follows Memorandum 2023-4E issued on September 1, 2023, which requested property and casualty insurers and surplus lines carriers to respond to a data call concerning the wildfires and wind damage.
The collected data, current as of June 30, 2024, is now available. After catastrophic events, state insurance departments gather specific loss data from insurance companies operating in the affected area. This information helps determine the total number of claims and insured losses, monitor the solvency of domestic insurers, and improve policyholders' experiences.
Insurance Commissioner Gordon I. Ito stated, “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.”
Data from over 200 insurers has been reported through June 30, 2024. Updates can be found at cca.hawaii.gov/ins/2023-wind-and-wildfire-damage-data-call.
The public is advised to be cautious of potential scams by unlicensed contractors during recovery efforts. Licensed contractors are required for projects exceeding $1,500 in labor and materials or those requiring permits. More information can be found at http://licensedcontractor.hawaii.gov.
Individuals can verify contractor licenses using BusinessCheck (businesscheck.hawaii.gov), an online platform for researching licensed professionals.
Policyholders may receive offers for assistance with their insurance process. While volunteers offering free help should be commended, it is important to understand any associated costs before entering into contracts for assistance. For questions or more information on navigating the insurance claims process, contact the Insurance Division toll-free from Maui at 808-984-2400 ext. 6-2790 or visit https://cca.hawaii.gov/fireclaims.