More FAQs on Fire Claims
The first step is to establish the amount of your loss by getting estimates on the cost to rebuild/repair your dwelling and replace or repair your personal property. If the estimates exceed your policy limits for the coverages on your dwelling and personal property, work with your insurer for a policy limits payout respectively.
The insurance company will pay out the amount of covered losses, up to the limits as specified in your policy, whichever is less. For example, your policy limit may be $500,000 but the estimates to rebuild your home are$300,000, the insurance company will only pay out $300,000.
- Replacement cost coverage pays for the cost of rebuilding or repairing your dwelling if it is damaged by fire, other specified perils, or by direct physical loss. Replacement cost coverage can also pay for damaged personal property. Actual cash value (ACV) is a settlement provision to Replacement cost. ACV coverage pays to repair or replace your property at its replacement value minus depreciation.
- Many policy Replacement cost provisions require the payment of ACV first and payment of the withheld depreciation upon the completion of repairs or replacement. Continue to work with your insurance company or agent on your property claims and the process of Replacement cost benefits if applicable.
If your dwelling is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril and isuninhabitable, your loss of use coverage would reimburse you for the costof housing up to your coverage limit and increased living expenses whileyour dwelling is being repaired or rebuilt. Most insurance policies will placea limit as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, if your limitis 30% and your dwelling coverage is $200,000, you would be covered forup to $60,000 under your loss of use coverage.
Mauirecovers.org is the official County of Maui website for recovery efforts related tothe August 203 wildfires. You can visit mauirecovers.org for updated information on resources related to housing and financial support.
- Please contact the Insurance Division if you have any questions about the claims process. We can be reached at (808) 586-2790 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- More FAQs on Fire Claims
You can contact your insurance company or insurance agent for a copy. If your insurer has a website or phone app, you may be able to access your policy and file a claim using that method.
You can contact your insurance company or insurance agent to file a claim. If you have a copy of your policy, please review the procedure to file a claim. These instructions are commonly found in Duties After Loss (or Occurrence) under the Conditions section of your policy.
Once a claim is filed, the insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to assess the damage and determine the payment. We encourage homeowners to take notes and keep track of the dates of any conversations with their insurance agent and adjuster.
Homeowners should consider the following steps before and after a claim is filed.
• Report damage to your insurance company or agent (make a claim).
• If your home or condo is uninhabitable, ask if your policy covers the cost of temporary or alternative housing.
• Submit proof of loss forms or other claim forms if requested by your insurance company. There may be a deadline for these forms once this request is made.
• If applicable, set aside and secure damaged items for later review or inspection by your adjuster.
• Do not begin permanent repairs until damage is inspected by an adjuster or told to do so by your insurer.
• Work with your adjuster and a licensed contractor to estimate the cost of repairs.
• Begin repairs after receipt of settlement checks.
Do not access your property until you have permission that it is safe to enter. If you are not able to assess the damage, let your insurer know and stay in touch with them until you are able to access the property with an adjuster.
Talk with your claims adjuster to see what proof is needed to have your insurance payment released. Ask if this will be a partial payment or a final settlement.
Keep all your receipts and a log of your expenses and discuss your itemized listing of your living expenses with your claims adjuster to see what will be reimbursed.
The maximum amount of this coverage will be listed in your policy declaration page. The amount and frequency of payments will be determined based on your specific policy terms and insurance company procedures. Talk with your claims adjuster or agent to understand how much funds will be distributed (amount of each payment) and the frequency (how often payments will be made, lump sum, monthly, etc). This coverage will need to be managed for the long term as the recovery process is likely to be many years.
The limit(s) listed in your declaration page is the maximum amount available for each coverage but it does not mean you will receive the maximum amount. Discuss with your claims adjuster or agent to understand how much will be provided for each coverage and what procedures or steps you will need to take to receive your claims payments. Partial payments will often be made throughout the home rebuild process and as personal property is being replaced.
Ask your claims adjuster or insurance agent for the valuation of your property and how the settlement amount was determined. Ask if there were any deductions, limitations, or penalties applied to your settlement amount.
Generally, Comprehensive or OTC (Other Than Collision) coverage is needed to cover damage to your owned vehicle if it was damaged in a fire. Contact your claims adjuster or insurance agent to discuss specific coverage or policy questions.
If you have a lien on your car, it is common that a two-party check is issued. Contact your bank or bank representative to see how you need to use/apply your claims check. There may still be a balance due on the auto loan.
- You may go to the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator to start the process. You will need the deceased’s social security number, legal first name, legal last name, date of birth, date of death, and other information. The service is free. If a policy is found and you are the beneficiary, the life insurance or annuity company will contact you directly. If no policy is found or you are not the beneficiary, you will not be contacted.
- Frequently Asked Questions on Fire Claims