Public Adjusters in Hawaii

Yes. Hawaii requires all public adjusters to be licensed under the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Insurance Division. Only licensed professionals can legally represent policyholders in insurance claims.

Under Hawaii law, policyholders have the right to hire independent representation. If your claim is delayed, mismanaged, or undervalued, a licensed public adjuster can step in to review your policy terms, document the damage, and manage all formal communications with your insurer.

You should consider hiring a public adjuster if you have a large, complex, or disputed property claim. Public adjusters represent you, rather than the insurance company, handling damage inspections, policy reviews, and settlement negotiations to ensure a fair payout.

Public adjuster fees in Hawaii typically range from 5% to 15% of the total claim settlement, depending on claim complexity. By state law (HRS § 431:9-244), all fees must be disclosed in writing within a formal contract before work begins. Under Hawaii Insurance Division guidelines, fees exceeding 10% for catastrophic claims or 15% for non-catastrophic claims are considered unreasonable.

• Contingency Fee: There are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs. Our fee is a small percentage deducted only after securing your payout.
• Claim Fit: Representation is most cost-effective for moderate to severe property damage, where negotiating a higher payout makes the biggest impact.

• In writing and signed by both parties.
• Clear about compensation (percentage or fee).
• Cancelable within three business days.

Under Hawaii law (HRS § 431:13-103), your insurance company must respond to claim communications within 15 working days. State regulations require this response to directly address your specific inquiry rather than just acknowledge receipt.

Standard Hawaii homeowners policies generally cover direct damage caused by volcanic activity, including lava flow, fire, ash, and airborne shockwaves. However, earth movement, ground tremors, and earthquakes are typically excluded without separate earthquake coverage. Coverage terms vary by policy and location, especially in designated high risk lava zones.

The FEMA 50% rule dictates that if repair costs for a building in a flood zone equal or exceed 50% of its pre-damage market value, the home is classified as substantially damaged. In Hawaii, reaching this threshold requires the entire building to be brought into compliance with current flood regulations, which often means elevating the structure.