FAQs

Preceding a license renewal, a licensee shall complete the required number of credit hours in approved continuing education. To qualify for a license renewal, the required number of CE credit hours shall be completed and received by the Insurance Division from the CE course provider(s) before payment of renewal fees can be submitted electronically. Pursuant to HRS §431:9A-124(e), the approved course provider shall electronically submit the certificate of completion to the Licensing Division within 15 days of course completion. Therefore, licensees shall complete CE requirements no later than 15 days before renewal due date in order for the CE completion reports to be received and uploaded to the Insurance Division system in time for the licensee to renew license(s).

For more information, please see Commissioner’s Memorandum 2022-3LIC

For a licensee authorized to sell lines of insurance in only life/accident and health or sickness or only in property/casualty; twenty-one credit hours relating to the class of insurance for which the license is held, and three credit hours relating to ethics and or the Hawaii insurance laws and rules.

For a licensee authorized to sell lines of insurance for both life/accident and health or sickness and property/casualty; the total requisite number for credit hours are twenty-four hours of which:

• Ten credit hours relating to the life/accident and health or sickness class of insurance.
• Eleven credit hours relating to the property/casualty class of insurance.
• Three credit hours shall relate to ethics and or the insurance laws and rules.

For a detailed breakdown of how credits are distributed please see HI CE Priority List

No. Credit will be earned only for the first time a course is taken in a renewal period. A licensee may attend the course a second time but will not receive CE credits for the same course code.

The continuing education requirement does not apply to the following:

• Hawaii Revised Statutes §431:9A-116 (Reciprocity):

1. a) The commissioner shall waive any requirements for a nonresident license applicant with a valid license from the applicant’s home state, except the requirements imposed by section 431:9A-108, so long as the applicant’s home state awards nonresident licenses to residents of this State on the same basis.
2. b) A nonresident producer’s satisfaction of the producer’s home state’s continuing education requirements for licensed insurance producers shall constitute satisfaction of this State’s continuing education requirements so long as the nonresident producer’s home state recognizes the satisfaction of its continuing education requirements imposed upon producers from this State on the same basis. [L 2001, c 216, pt of §2]

• Hawaii Revised Statutes §431:9A-130 (Commissioner’s authority to grant waiver):

Upon the receiving of a written request and a showing of good cause, the commissioner shall have the authority to grant a waiver of any requirement of an insurance law or insurance rule as applied to an applicant or a producer. [L 2001, c 216, pt of §2]

Hawaii Revised Status §431:9A-124(g): The commissioner may grant an extension of time to meet the requirements to a license on extended active military duty for a period time equal to the number of days the licensee was on active military duty.

A licensee requesting an extension of time for their continuing education requirement shall submit a written request to the Insurance Commissioner explaining the reason for the request at least 90 days prior to the licensee’s renewal date.

Yes, a designated representative must complete the continuing education requirement.

If a new line of authority is added to a Producer’s active license, the licensee must complete all required CE credit hours (including CE for the newly added line(s) of authority).

For example, if a producer license authorized for Life and Accident and Health or Sickness was issued on 2/05/2022 with a renewal due date on 2/16/2024, and the licensee added Property and Casualty lines of authority to the license on 10/28/2023, the licensee must complete 10 credit hours relating to Life and Health, 11 credit hours relating to Property and Casualty, and 3 credit hours relating to Rules/Ethics preceding the renewal date on 2/16/2024.

No. Pursuant to the Hawaii Revised Statutes §431:9A-155: “No credit hours earned during a single renewal cycle may be carried over and counted towards satisfaction of the credit hour requirements for a following renewal cycle for the same license.”

A licensee’s failure to satisfy all of the continuing education requirements prior to the renewal date shall result in that licensee’s license being automatically placed on an expired status. To reactivate a license, the licensee shall complete the requisite number of credit hours and pay any required fees and penalties.

• Course/provider Lookup: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/
• Step by step instructions: https://www.statebasedsystems.com/solar/support.html#CLOOK

The provider of the course will issue a licensee a certificate of completion, upon the successful completion of the course.  A licensee must keep his or her records of continuing education credits for four years.  The provider will electronically submit the credit completion information to the Insurance Division within 15 days from the course completion.  Therefore, the producers shall complete CE requirements no later than 15 days before the renewal due date in order for the CE completion reports to be received and uploaded to the Insurance Division system in time for the producers to renew licenses.  The producers who complete required CE on or within 15 days of the renewal due date may not be able to renew licenses electronically and risk inactivation of licenses.  A penalty fee will be added to reinstate licenses.

All CE certificates of completion must be submitted by the provider.  The Insurance Division will no longer accept CE certificate of completion directly from the licensee.

For more information, please see Commissioner’s Memorandum 2022-3LIC

• License Manager: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/license-manager
• Step by step instructions: https://www.statebasedsystems.com/solar/support.html#PL

Licensees are reminded to maintain their certificates of completion for four years and should not submit the certificates to the Hawaii Insurance Division unless requested to do so.

New Requirements for Producer Training Under Act 58 (2022)

Effective January 1, 2023, Act 58 at section 7 amends Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”) § 431:10D-626 regarding training requirements as follows:

Producers who obtain a life or variable life and variable annuity products line of authority after December 31, 2022, shall not engage in the sale of annuities until completing training required under HRS § 431:10D-626(d), as amended by Act 58.

For more information, please refer to Commissioners Memorandum 2022-8LIC.

Insurers are reminded that they will continue to be responsible for verifying that producers complete required training under HRS § 431:10D-626.

Hawai`i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) §431:9-201.

The Insurance Commissioner must make a determination that losses suffered that are to be adjusted are a direct result of an event and are so severe that licensed adjusters and independent adjusters who are resident of this State will be unable to adjust losses in a reasonable time. The Commissioner will then issue a declaration stating nonresident unlicensed independent adjusters may perform work in the State without a Hawai`i license to assist with claims adjusting for a specified period.

The declaration from the Commissioner will be posted on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division website.

The nonresident adjuster must comply with the following to operate without a license in the State, for a period as determined by the Commissioner:

1. Provide to the Insurance Commissioner a certified copy of the adjuster’s current license issued in another state that has substantially similar licensing requirements to HRS § 431:9-222.
2. Within three (3) working days of the commencement of work by the nonresident adjuster, the insurance company, independent adjusting company, or producer that is using the adjuster shall provide the following on company letterhead to the Insurance Commissioner:

• The name of the nonresident adjuster;
• The nonresident adjuster’s Hawai`i mailing and business addresses and phone numbers; and
• The nonresident adjuster’s permanent home and business addresses and phone numbers.

To facilitate the process, the insurance company, independent adjusting company, or producer should utilize and submit the “Form for EIA”, which is available at https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/producers/forms/ to provide required information on nonresident adjusters identified in items 1 and 2.

No, however, they are required to register with the Commissioner.

Documents may be sent to the State of Hawai`i, Insurance Division, Licensing Branch via mail, email, fax or in person to the following address:

State of Hawai`i
Insurance Division, Licensing Branch
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
335 Merchant Street, Room 213
Honolulu, HI 96813

Tel: 1-844-808-DCCA (3222)
Fax: 808-587-6714

inslic@dcca.hawaii.gov
cca.hawaii.gov/ins/

Yes. You may submit a copy of your license endorsed by the state agency by whom it was issued;
Your current adjuster license information screen page printed directly from your state insurance website, which can be accessed and verified by the Hawai`i Licensing Branch; or
Producer License Database (PDB) report from NAIC that shows your current adjuster license status, which can be verified by the Licensing Branch.

A letterhead from an insurance company, independent adjusting company, or producer that is using the nonresident unlicensed adjuster for the adjustment of losses in Hawai`i.

No, a Hawai`i street address is required for mailing and business addresses registration requirement. 

No, a phone number with an 808 area code is required.

Yes, these individuals must be registered.

No, these employees do not need to be registered.

3-5 business days if all registration paperwork is provided and in good order.

You are in violation of HRS §431:9-201.  Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be assessed a civil penalty not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000 for each violation.

You can call Insurance Division Licensing Branch at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) or send an email to inslic@dcca.hawaii.gov.

Members of health plans issued by private health insurance companies may request an external review of certain coverage denials.  This external review will be performed by a private independent review organization which contracts with doctors who give medical opinions.  This option is not available for Medicare and Medicaid members or for members of self-funded plans where the insurance company is merely acting as a third party administrator.

Requirements:

• From the date of the coverage denial, a member has 130 days to request an external review.
• A filing fee of $15 is due payable to “Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.”
• Include a copy of the final internal determination
• Include a release of medical records
• Include a conflict of interest disclosure. (A form of release and conflict of interest disclosure can be obtained from your health plan.)

In the cover letter for the request, a member should explain in detail why they believe the coverage decision made by the health plan was in error. The $15 filing fee is refundable if the independent review organization agrees with the member.

There are three types of external reviews and the member should try to identify which type of review is being requested.

1. The first type of review is a standard external review which covers denials which are based on medical necessity, appropriateness, health care setting, level of care, or effectiveness.

2. The second type of review is an expedited external review, which is for cases involving a medical emergency, where the patient cannot wait to receive medical treatment.

3. The third type of review is a review of an investigational or experimental procedure denial. These are cases in which the health plan has determined that the procedure is so new that it is not validated as standard medical practice.

Not all types of coverage denials can be appealed. If it is determined that your request for external review is not valid, then it may be rejected. For example, if a health plan determines that your medical procedure was not covered because it was the subject of a specific exclusion in the health plan that may not end up being the type of medical denial that can be reviewed.

You may contact the Insurance Division for advice on this topic at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222).

Rate oversight requires health plans to let the public and the Insurance Division know how they set premiums. The Division will review the premiums to make sure that they are adequate and not excessive or unfairly discriminatory.

Rate oversight can result in the elimination of excessive insurer profits as well as the elimination of underpricing. This may encourage increased competition in the market. The Division’s review will make certain that the calculations are correct and include only necessary costs, which will enable consumers to make choices without fear that they are being gouged or that the insurer will leave the market or become insolvent.

No. Well-managed plans with fair rates should not fear oversight. Providers will benefit because oversight will be used to make certain that premiums are used to pay for necessary health care expenses.

Providers should have no additional costs as a result of rate oversight. Health plans will be required to provide information to support their rate calculations, but this is information that they already have, because it was used to develop the rates that they charge their members. Rate oversight provides a double-check on the health plans’ premium calculations.

Contact your health plan to see if COBRA coverage is a benefit provided in your current health plan. COBRA is a federal law that gives some employees and their dependents the option to continue health insurance. Your health plan must give you a notice stating your right to choose to continue coverage under the plan. You will have 60 days from the date of the notice to choose COBRA coverage or lose all rights to benefits. For more information on COBRA contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA, formerly known as the (PWBA) Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration) at 1-866-444-3272 or visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) you have 60 days from the termination of your health coverage to enroll in a new health plan. Failure to do so will affect coverage for pre-existing conditions. For more information on HIPAA contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA), San Francisco Regional Office at (415) 744-3501 or visit www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Other-Insurance-Protections/cobra_fact_sheet.html.

If your spouse’s employer offers health coverage you may be able to qualify for coverage under your spouse’s employer plan, or you may apply for individual coverage with a health plan.

If you are not eligible for COBRA coverage and cannot get coverage through your spouse, you may be eligible for Hawaii Med-QUEST. However, you must apply for Hawaii Med-QUEST no later than 45 days from the time you lose your benefits. For information on eligibility requirements, call 524-3370 on Oahu or 1-800-316-8005 toll-free from the Neighbor Islands, or logon to www.med-quest.us.

If you are eligible for Hawaii Med-QUEST, you will choose one medical plan and one dental plan to serve you and any family members who are in the program with you.

Some medical plans have a limit on the number of members they can accept. If the plan you want is already full, you will have to choose a different plan. If you do not make a choice, you will be assigned to a medical and dental plan.

Three medical plans are participating. AlohaCare, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente.

Dental coverage through Medicaid, provides emergency dental care for individuals age 21 and older, and full dental care for individuals under age 21. Any provider participating with Medicaid can be seen.

The Med-QUEST income levels vary depending upon the number of people in your household. For example, there are different income levels if you are the only one in your household, if you are pregnant, if you have a family of 2, 3, or 4, etc.

You should call 524-3370 on Oahu or 1-800-316-8005 toll-free from the Neighbor Islands for further information on eligibility requirements and income limits.

Yes. The asset limit is currently $2000.00 for a household of one, $3000.00 for a household of two, and $250.00 for each additional person. You should call Med-QUEST at 524-3370 on Oahu or 1-800-316-8005 toll-free from the Neighbor Islands for information on what qualifies as an asset.

The State Med-QUEST office. You may call 524-3370 on Oahu or 1-800-316-8005 toll-free from the Neighbor Islands for information regarding Med-QUEST.

Will I have to pay for coverage under Hawaii Med-QUEST?

No, but if you become self-employed, you and your spouse may each be required to pay 50% of the Hawaii Med-QUEST monthly premium.

No, but if any adult member becomes self-employed he or she may have to make co-payments for some services.

There are several community health centers that provide health and social services at a reasonable cost, including primary, preventive and dental care. For a listing of primary care clinics in your area, call the Aloha United Way hotline at 211 (toll free from all islands) or logon to www.auw211.org/.

Yes. Hawaii Covering Kids is a project that was created to help children and youth eligible for Med-QUEST (managed care Medicaid) and Medicaid-Fee-for-Service with health insurance enrollment process. These programs include State CHIP (Children’s Heath Insurance Program) and the Immigrant Children’s Program. State CHIP is not a separate health insurance program. It expanded Med-QUEST and Medicaid Fee-for-Service health insurance for children and youth.

Med-QUEST and Medicaid Fee-for-Service are government programs that offer free health insurance for uninsured children who are under nineteen years old, meet family income levels, are residents of Hawaii, and U.S. citizens, legal immigrants, refugees, or citizens of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau.

Med-QUEST-Net is a program for people who no longer qualify for Med-QUEST or Medicaid Fee-for-Service due to income limits. A person must already be enrolled in one of those programs and meet a different family income level to be eligible. The monthly fee for Med-QUEST-Net is currently $61.80.

For more information or a referral, call the Aloha United Way hotline at 211 (toll free from all islands) or logon to www.auw211.org/.

It depends on the number of people in the household. The income level for a single parent with one child is different from the income level for a household of 3 or a household of 4, etc. Please call the Aloha United Way hotline at 211 (toll free from all islands) or log on to www.auw211.org/ for more information.

If you own a home or condominium, you will want to insure your property and household effects by investing in homeowners insurance. Chances are you will already have insurance on your home, if you have a mortgage on the property, since most lenders make insurance a condition of the loan.

Homeowners insurance offers the most comprehensive coverage available. However, most homeowners policies will not protect you from a flood, a hurricane, or an earthquake loss.

• Homeowners insurance pays claims for damage to your home, garage and other outbuildings; and for loss of furniture and other personal property due to damage or theft, both at home and away from; and homeowners insurance pays for additional living expenses if you rent temporary quarters while your house is being repaired.
• Homeowners insurance includes liability for bodily injury and property damage that you cause to others through negligence, and for accidents happening in and around your home, as well as away from home, for which you are responsible.
• It also pays for any injuries occurring in and around your home to persons other than you or your family. Medical payments coverage also pays claims for injuries outside your home that are caused by you, a family member living with you, or by your pet.
• Homeowners policies generally provide limited coverage for certain money, gold, jewelry, and stamp and coin collections.

When deciding how much insurance coverage to buy, consider the cost and how much you can afford. Assess the cost of replacing your house if it is totally destroyed, and determine what the present value is of your furniture and personal belongings. Do you want to be fully reimbursed when a loss occurs? Or, for a lower premium would you be willing to accept partial payment for the loss or damage? Remember that buying a higher deductible is another way of decreasing your insurance premium.

Replacement cost coverage pays for the cost of rebuilding your house if it is destroyed by fire or other specified disasters. Replacement cost coverage will also pay for personal belongings, but usually at an additional premium. Your homeowners policy can also reimburse you on the basis of “actual cash value” only, instead of replacement cost. Actual cash value covers the cost of repairing the damaged property only to its condition just before the loss, or replacing damaged property with a substantially similar item.

For first-time home purchasers, here are some things to keep in mind when buying insurance:

• Deal with licensed insurance agents who work for companies licensed to sell insurance in Hawaii.
• Shop around to get the best coverage at the best price. Ask the companies you’re interested in how they settle their claims. Check with friends and acquaintances to verify the companies’ reliability and service.
• Keep a complete list of your important personal belongings and their original cost. This list will help you determine the total value of your personal effects and identify what has been lost in case of fire or theft.
• Read your homeowners policy carefully. Look for any exceptions, restrictions or limitations that will affect your coverage. Your mortgage lender may require you to purchase a separate flood or hurricane policy.

Your insurance company or insurance agent should help you decide on the best coverage for your individual situation and needs.

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