Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0178.001 2020-2022 Matt Kaneali`i Kleinfelder ;�p�''•Y "•'`Y,; • Finance Committee Hawaii County Council "..��V=` Chair t. District 5 Phone No.: (808)961-82634: -,���:�': Public Works&Mass Transit Committee ••1 •••e; OF , matt.kanealii-kleinfelder@hawaiicounty.gov Vice Chair Hawaii County Council County of Hawai`i Hawai`i County Building 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2405• Hilo,Hawaii 96720 5 ' Date: April 4th, 2021 r . c., „ To: Maile David, Council Chair ' and members of the Hawai`i County Council From: Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Council Member Subject: Regarding Resolution 75-21; Submittal of additional documentation Please find attached documents being submitted as exhibits for Resolution 75-21. Mahalo for your consideration and continued commitment to creating strong community through creative decision making. MKK/lk att Comm. No 11 Ref. To: PIGOREDG Ref. Date APR 6 2021 Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer AI\ AMERICAN MUTUAL GROUP dENTURY BUILDING, SUITE 105 80 PAUAHI STREET HILO, HAWAII 96720 PHONE: (808)969-1688 FAX: (808)961-5530 March 1, 2021 Matthew Kanealii-Kleinfelder-County Councilman 25 Aupuni Street Hilo HI 96720 RE: Insurance coverages for Lava Zones 1&2 Aloha Councilman Matthew, I wanted to bring to your attention the insurance struggles that are occurring on our island in regards to securing insurance coverage for homeowners in Lava Zone 1&2. With the volcanic eruption of 2018 there has been drastic changes in the insurance industry of carriers providing coverage in Lava Zone 1& 2,mainly in the 96778 zip code. With the amount of catastrophic losses,carriers such as Lloyds of • London,Lexington Insurance, Universal Property&Casualty Insurance Company,American Modern Home have either left the market completely or placed a moratorium in providing coverage currently in the 96778 zip code.At this time the only carrier who is providing coverage in the 96778 zip code is the state funded program with the Hawaii Property Insurance Association(HPIA). Premiums for homeowners in the 96778 zip code has hit an all-time high. I've attached what HPIA's current parameters of their underwriting guidelines of maximum limits of coverage for any one dwelling along with what is considered as an acceptable risk. Just an idea of what premiums currently are with HPIA, for a 2010 built dwelling with coverage of$350,000 the Annual Premium is$4591.00 annually, Current • HPIA lava policy holders who have a mortgage on their house is now having the hard decision of how do they sustain in staying afloat in keeping up with their mortgage payments with the increase of the insurance premiums. They don't have an option to shop their coverage since there is no one else providing other than HPIA. With the real estate market in a boom in the area of 96778,what I am seeing is dwellings being bought by mainlanders who are able to affordbuyingthe residence in cash and being able to afford the premiums. It saddens me when I see hardworking island residence who dream of being a first time homeowner and with homes being able to be within reason for them to purchase, they are unable to proceed when the insurance premiums are so high. I am reaching out to you in hopes that our county council could review and investigate if there can be other viable options. Mahalo for your time and consideration. Be Tracy S i -Agent HPIA Hawaii Property Insurance Association P.O. Box 1520 Honolulu, HI 96806-1520 � i 3 3 0 h I r A I 1 g" ; i ; <DATE> <Insured Name 1> <Insured Name 2> <Address Line 1> <Address Line 2> <City><ST><Zip Code> Dear<Insured Name 1>, Shortly you will be receiving your renewal policy and premium due notice for your<homeowners/ dwelling fire>policy. There is an increase in your policy premium because the property insured is located in lava zone 1 or 2. As you are likely aware,the Kilauea lava flow that began on May 3,2018 had devastating consequences to hundreds of homes in Leilani Estates,Kapoho and other areas on the Big Island. HPIA received over 150 claims and paid tens of millions of dollars to help insured homeowners recover. HPIA does everything possible to help homeowners and must charge premiums based on the risk of future losses and our costs of doing business. HPIA received approval from the Hawaii Insurance Division for a rate increase of 50.9 percent,effective February 1,2010 for homes located in lava zones 1 and 2 on Hawaii Island,areas that are at greatest risk of future lava-related losses. We understand this is a significant increase and HPIA did not come to this decision lightly. HPIA was created by statute to provide basic property coverage for homeowners who live in areas where traditional insurance companies are unwilling to offer coverage.The premium increase will allow HPIA to continue to meet its mandate to offer insurance to homeowners choosing to live in lava zones 1 and 2,who are turned away from other insurance companies and seeking coverage from HPIA as a last resort. Should you have any questions or if you would like to see if there are other options available for property insurance,please contact your insurance agent. Sincerely, HPIA Plan Administrator HPIA Hawaii Property Insurance Association P.O. Box 1520 Honolulu, HI 96806-1520 December 16,2019 RE: RATE INCREASE—PROGRAM I(LAVA ZONES 1 AND 2) The lava flow that began on May 3,2018 had devastating consequences to homeowners in Leilani Estates,Kapoho and other areas on the Big Island. HPIA received over 150 claims and paid tens of millions of dollars to help insured homeowners recover. Our key partnerships with reinsurance companies provided financial support,allowing us to recoup costs for a majority of losses through reimbursement.Most of the reinsurance companies that suffered major financial losses as a result of the lava flow decided to continue to support HPIA. However,their continued support was conditional on a very large increase in reinsurance premium. HPIA's 2019 cost for reinsurance protection was more than double its 2018 cost. In fact,HPIA's 2019 reinsurance premiums are more than the total premiums HPIA will collect from all of its insureds combined. Unfortunately,the Association must now pass these increased costs on to insureds with homes in lava zones 1 and 2. HPIA requested a significant rate increase from the Hawaii Insurance Division for homes in lava zones 1 and 2. After several exchanges of information and detailed discussions,HPIA received approval for a lesser amount than originally requested. Rates will increase by 50.9%in lava zones I and 2 on the Big Island. The rate change is effective 1/1/2020 for new business and 2/1/2020 for renewals.There is no change in rates for other areas,either on the Big Island or other Islands. HPIA was created by statute to provide basic property insurance in areas where traditional insurance companies are unwilling to offer coverage. In order to continue to meet this mandate in the future,the Association must charge a premium that enables it to cover its costs of doing business. Policyholders impacted by the rate change will be receiving a letter directly from the HPIA; a sample is attached for your information.Additionally,a listing of in force policyholders impacted by the rate change will provided to each agency. As a reminder,policies are renewed approximately 45 days prior to expiration.For example,February I5'renewal policies will be generated and sent to the print vendor on December 20'h for distribution. For agencies using the ICE Comparative Rating system,the system is being.updated with the new rates for the Lava Program and the changes will be completed shortly. Another bulletin will be distributed when the updates have been completed. New business submissions received on or after January 1,2020 will be subject to the new rates. In anticipation of questions from our mutual customers,a Q&A has been prepared to provide guidance in answering customers' questions.The Q&A is attached and it will be posted to the HPIA website (www.hpiainfo.com)under Coverage Information/2020 Rate Increase. Sincerely, HPIA Plan Administrator Hawaii Property Insurance Association P.0.Box 1520'Honolulu,Hawaii 96806-1520'Phone:(808)564-8111 HPIA Hawaii Property Insurance Association P.O. Box 1520 Honolulu, HI 96806-1520 Customer Q&A Why have my rates increased so much? HPIA sustained significant losses while helping homeowners in lava zones 1 and 2 recover from lava damage last year. HPIA was forced to increase rates to cover its operating expenses including premium costs to reinsurance companies.The rate change affects homeowners who choose to live in lava zones 1 and 2,areas at the highest risk for future lava-related losses. I am in lava zone 3-9.Are my rates going to go up? The rate increase for 2020 affects homeowners in lava zones 1 and 2 only. Why are homeowners in lava zones 1 and 2 the only ones affected? The tens of millions in claims paid by HPIA as a result of the 2018 lava flow were isolated to lava zones 1 and 2,and damage to homes in these zones are the reason HPIA's costs of doing business have increased. Homes in lava zones 1 and 2 are also the most likely to suffer future lava-related losses. l can't afford to pay my new premium. Can you reduce my rate? We understand this is a significant increase and HPIA did not come to this decision lightly.The increased rates will allow HPIA to continue to offer insurance to homeowners choosing to live in lava zones 1 and 2,who are turned away from other insurance companies and seeking coverage from HPIA as a last resort. Homes located in lava zones 1 and 2 face the greatest risk of future lava-related losses and HPIA is charging premiums based on that risk. Can you offer a payment plan? Unfortunately,we do not offer payment plans at this time. What will happen if!don't pay my renewal policy premium? If the policy premium is not received by the due date,this will result in a loss of coverage for your home. Your policy will lapse as of the current expiration date and you will not be covered for any damages to your home after the expiration date. Can I get insurance from somewhere else? You may speak with your insurance agent to see if there are other options available. HPIA is designed to provide basic coverage for homeowners who live in areas where traditional insurance companies are unwilling to offer coverage.Homeowners with HPIA coverage have already received at least two declinations for coverage from licensed insurers in the voluntary market. Will my premium go down in the future? Unfortunately,HPIA does not foresee a rate reduction in the future. The premium increase is to cover the cost of providing insurance to homeowners who choose to live in areas with the greatest risk of future lava-related events.