Hurricane Season is Here: Inventory Insurance, Belongings

With the arrival of hurricane season, the state’s insurance commissioner is urging Hawaii resident to begin preparations by reviewing their homeowner’s insurance policy.

Commissioner Gordon Ito said consumers should be aware that home insurance is different from the type of coverage hurricane and flood insurance policies provide. These lines of insurance supplement home policies.

Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito. DCCA photo.

“Consumers should contact their insurance agent to go over their policies and do a thorough inventory of their belongings before a storm arrives in the islands,” Ito said. “In case of a disaster, the last thing a homeowner should be worrying about is whether or not they have adequate coverage.”

He said filing a claim would also be much easier for homeowners if they have proper documentation of their belongings and are familiar with the type of coverage they purchased.”

The Insurance Division also offers the following hurricane preparedness tips:

• Make sure your policy limits are sufficient to repair your home and replace property in the event of a total loss.
• Review your deductible levels.
• If you made any renovations to the home, check with your insurance company how your classification may have changed.
• If your home is outfitted with wind-resistive devices, like hurricane wall-to-roof ties or storm shutters, you may be eligible for a premium discount.
• Take a thorough inventory of your belongings using pictures or the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC) free MyHome mobile app available for iPhones and Androids.
• As you prepare your disaster kits, store your important documents, like a copy of your insurance policy and inventory, in a waterproof container or package.

Homeowners, condominium owners and renters can view the Insurance Division’s premium guide to see what their company is charging compared to its competitors.

The guide, available here, also provides explanations about the different types of coverage, and the basics of what homeowner’s insurance includes.

The National Weather Service recently announced that the hurricane season which lasts until November is expected to have slightly more activity than normal, partly because of developing El Niño conditions.