what about insurance?

[shockwave rider]

The people who really jumped the gun on this whole lava flow emergency are the insurance companies. They declared a huge part of Puna uninsurable by refusing to write new policies which killed any hope of a fluid real estate market. So far one empty home, a pile of tires, and a storage shed are all that has been destroyed, when will the insurance industry back off and start writing new policies for all the homes and businesses that are well away from the flow?

[Rattlestaff]

Good question!!

[Rattlestaff]

Wouldn't this be the man to request that of? Was thinking of calling today also.

"Gordon I. Ito

On behalf of the Hawaii Insurance Division, I would like to welcome you to our home page. I hope you will find our website informative and make it your primary source for insurance information. Here you can learn about the services we offer and find Hawaii’s insurance laws and regulations.

When you need help, please feel free to call us at (808)586-2790. The Division is here to serve you.

If you do not find what you are looking for on our website, please let us know. We want to know what information would be most helpful to you."

[Orchidlandguy]

Great idea. Do something, don't just rant.
Take action.

[shockwave rider]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rattlestaff

Wouldn't this be the man to request that of? Was thinking of calling today also.

"Gordon I. Ito

On behalf of the Hawaii Insurance Division, I would like to welcome you to our home page. I hope you will find our website informative and make it your primary source for insurance information. Here you can learn about the services we offer and find Hawaii’s insurance laws and regulations.

When you need help, please feel free to call us at (808)586-2790. The Division is here to serve you.

If you do not find what you are looking for on our website, please let us know. We want to know what information would be most helpful to you."

---

My partner had a long conversation with him at one of the community meetings and said he knew amazingly little about what was happening in lower Puna, and what the ramifications are for people here. A coworker of mine who had a sale in process when the insurance companies shut down insuring lower Puna has sent multiple emails with clearly worded questions and got responses that were very polite and contained answers to none of her questions, mostly just had links to parts of the web page that didn't apply to the situation described.

I saw the emails and responses, so this is not just rumor or hearsay.

[lo-ka-hi]

I've called that 586-2790 number some weeks ago and inquired about HPIA insurance after Ito said in Washington that HPIA is writing in Kalapana and Kapoho asking whether that would include the area in-between. First off, the guy I talked to didn't know anything about Ito's testimony in Washington and secondly he told me why would HPIA sell insurance in this area, that would be bad business. Which in my eyes doesn't fulfill HPIA's mission since it was specifically founded to help people in Kalapana and Royal Gardens when the private insurers bailed out, but the guy didn't see it that way. I then simply gave up continuing the conversation. Not surprised that the written responses were useless also.
What I find especially upsetting is that insurance companies refuse to transfer insurance policies from seller to buyer while having charged around 3 times the amount in premiums compared to Hilo for example - for years! - and now they see some claims looming and poof, they are gone.

[Jeffhale]

quote:

---

Originally posted by lo-ka-hi

- and now they see some claims looming and poof, they are gone.

---

My natural father, whom I hardly got along with, nor me mother who divorced him when I was just 2, for being such a liar. From him I received little too no good advise but a few, 2 or 3.. In fact whenever I asked, I did well doing the exact opposite of what ever was his wise and wonderful decision.

Yet nobody could be wrong all of the time; He was an insurance agent/broker (fitting no?, LOL) and this is what he advised: Insurance companies will never pay whatever they do not HAVE TOO!!

[ericlp]

Even if they did start issuing insurance back into beaches, I wouldn't buy into because ... well, everyone is right. It's a risk I am willing to take, if my house burns down because of a faulty wire or the lava consumes it, I'll know it was my choice. Will it happen? Highly unlikely.

You can take that to the Bank!



-------------------------
To email me click on Link http://is.gd/QMfVEX

[Rattlestaff]

IMHO I think this is all lip service from a good ol boy, but:

“It doesn’t seem fair or equitable … to have someone pay their homeowners policies for 10 years or 20 years … all the sudden to be told, ‘Oh, sorry, we’re not renewing your policy anymore,’” Kenoi said. “We ask the Legislature to take a good look at this.”

Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, said he is also interested in pushing for a legislative fix for new homeowner policies, so those seeking to buy or sell homes would also be covered.

I'll believe when I see it!
- See more at: http://m.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/l...RPf4F.dpuf

[Peter Easterling]

I was an insurance underwriter for over 20 years in Honolulu. Sometimes I ssk folks with insurance problems "Would you put your life savings into an insurance company specializing in lava coverage?" Intentional pun. Insurance underwriters generally prefer individual risks and avoid causes of loss that are widespread (flood, earthquake are the two most prominent examples. Spread of risk. And, for the uninformed or naive, insurance companies can and do go bankrupt.