HI| Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Scott K. Saiki issued a declaration under HRS § 431:9-201(b) to help insurers respond promptly to property claims arising from Hurricane Lala. It temporarily permits qualifying nonresident independent adjusters to work in Hawaii without obtaining a Hawaii license, subject to registration, documentation, and reporting requirements; the authority is intended to expand claims-handling capacity during the disaster response.
Key Points:
- Nonresident public adjusters are excluded unless the Commissioner later determines they are needed; nonresident adjusters have 30 days from the declaration date to register unless that deadline is extended, and violations may result in civil penalties.
- A nonresident independent adjuster may operate in Hawaii for up to 120 days from registration, provided the adjuster holds a current license from another state whose licensing standards are substantially similar to Hawaii’s independent-adjuster requirements.
- Within three working days after work begins, the insurer, independent adjusting company, or producer using the adjuster must submit specified identity, Hawaii contact, and permanent home/business contact information to the Commissioner—preferably using the Emergency Independent Adjuster form.