September 5, 2023Gordon I. ItoInsurance CommissionerInsurance DivisionDepartment of Commerceand Consumer Affairs335 Merchant Street, Room 213Honolulu HI 96813Re:Loss of Contents/Personal Property Coverage Request for August 2023 FiresDear Commissioner Ito,I represent a number of families who lost their homes, as owners or as tenants, in the August 2023 fires in Maui.HRS § 431:2-201 et seq empowers your office to regulate and supervise insurance transactions in this state including ensuring that the public interest is being served or protected and that the reasonable expectations of consumers are being met. We request that your office call on all insurance companies who have issued policies in this state to automatically pay out 100% of coverage limits for loss of contents/personal property without the need for an itemized lists or other proof to policyholders affected by the August 2023 fires in Maui. Insurance commissioners in other jurisdictions have taken similar action in similar circumstances with respect to other disasters that have affected significant numbers of insureds. In our view, this is a burden the people of Lahaina should not be required to bear while the community continues with disaster relief efforts.Please consider amending Memorandum 2023-3A to make this call on insurance companies or issue a new memorandum and work with insurance companies to obtain their assent. Very truly yours,LAW OFFICE OF LANCE D COLLINSLANCE D COLLINS
