The facts about the homes destroyed by lava

[StillHope]

Aloha,everyone!
I am new to this forum.I am happy to find it.It's a wonderful community.I learned a lot,reading the current and old posts.Was interesting to know,that there are folks from San Diego in Puna and they have a property in Kalapana Sea View,like me.(Small world!).
I have a very important decision to make.And I really need this information on the history of homeowners and their insurances during the lava disaster.(Royal Gardens in 1983,for instance).
I was trying internet- no luck.I posted this question on the other Hawaii forum and didn't get the answer-just a couple of nice folks talking in general.
I asked my real estate agent about my options in case of lava disaster.She told me that "we have to think positive"...
I do agree with that.But if I will be left with 30-year mortgage ,no house and no money to rebuild...
I know that most insurances cover fire,and there is a good chance that a house will be burned,not just surrounded and damaged by lava.
But I need to know the facts.
Assuming that at least some houses were insured in Royal Gardens or other area,damaged by lava,how the home owners insurances helped?
Any real stories?
Sorry about touching the unpleasant subject.I have good credit,but low income.I am not young either.
I'll probably put a yurt there,but getting the construction for a yurt is almost impossible.
Anyway,I would be grateful for any information you can share.

[John S. Rabi]

"Think positive?!" You sure have an educated real estate agent. [][V][?] There is no such a thing as "lava insurance" and if your house is destroyed by the lava you are out of luck. If your house is destoryed by fire you are covered. The only company that will give you insurance in Lava Zone 1 is HIPA. Call your insurance agent for a copy of the coverage. The limit is $350,000.


Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[hpp4me]

Welcome, StillHope. This is a great group of people here. We've learned so much from them.

I'm just curious...given how inexpensive lots are in zone 3 these days, why build i zone 1? Of course, disaster can hit zone 3, too, but the chances are presumably lower.

Living in Puna is a risk no matter where we are. Hawaiian Paradise Park (zone 3) was covered with lava only 700 years ago. That's a blink of an eye in geologic time. But it sounds like zone 1 might keep you awake an night!

[aline]

I thought Kalapana Seaview was zone 2? Also if that was the answer I got from my realtor about a question I was serious about I would be looking for a new realtor.

[hpp4me]

quote:

---

Originally posted by aline

I thought Kalapana Seaview was zone 2? Also if that was the answer I got from my realtor about a question I was serious about I would be looking for a new realtor.

---

You are correct.

Lava Zone 1

Leilani Estates
Kapoho

Lava Zone 2

Black Sand Beach
Nanawale Estates
Hawaiian Beaches and Shores and Parks
Kehena
Puna Beach Palisades
Kalapana Seaview Estates
Kaimu-Makena Houselots (which is funny because a 15 year old flow is covering part of it)

Lava Zone 3

Ainaloa
Tiki Gardens
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Hawaiian Areas
Fern Acres
Everything up and around Volcano and all of Hilo


These zones were important to us when we bought, but in retrospect, they don't mean too much. They are based on past events, and who knows where the ground is going to open up in the future?

It takes a special breed of person to live in a place like Puna. But at least with lava you have a few days to get out of the way. The people in the Hurricane, earthquake and tornado areas are worse off in my opinion. Sitting here in California I have no idea when the next earthquake is going to hit. It could come before I finish this sentence (I made it!). It could come in 30 years.

[macuu222]

The trick with regular homeowners insurance when lava approaches your dwelling is that insurance will pay to rebuilds your home if the lava sets a tree on fire close to your house and then the tree falls on your home and sets it on fire before the lava does.

I asked my allstate insurance agent here...and he said that in that instance...your homwowners insurance would cover you.

[John S. Rabi]

quote:

---

Originally posted by aline

I thought Kalapana Seaview was zone 2? Also if that was the answer I got from my realtor about a question I was serious about I would be looking for a new realtor.

---

You see?! That's why I don't do business on the East side except in HPP and LE, the two subdivisions I know. []

Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[Carey]

A very important point: you can not rebuild on your lot right away, as the land takes quite a while to become habitable ... If you are intending to rebuid someplace else, make sure that your insurance will cover that (also your mortgage, if you have one... some times the land is tied to the house & visa versa).

[Kapohocat]

quote:

---

...

Lava Zone 1

Leilani Estates
Kapoho

---

Hey only parts of kapoho are Lava zone 1 - but we would have a front row seat here ! (I hope thats as close as it gets!!)

[Guest]

quote:

---

Originally posted by John S. Rabi

..... There is no such a thing as "lava insurance" and if your house is destroyed by the lava you are out of luck. If your house is destoryed by fire you are covered.......

---

And this is where we get stories of people burning down there houses before the lava gets there[]

It's amazing how quickly an "electrical fire" can spread when Lava is approaching your house[][B)]

-----------------
Coming home soon!