Builders Risk in Hawaii

Hawaii's state flood viewer is informational and may not show every area a county regulates. On the Island of Hawaii, USGS maps approximate lava-flow hazard zones that can affect buildings, roads and utilities; neither map determines what a policy covers.

What Is Builders Risk Insurance?

Builders risk protects the project you are building, including materials meant for it, against physical loss until construction ends. The gaps that cost owners money are materials in storage or transit, the existing building in a renovation, and coverage ending when you occupy early. Read the national Builders risk guide.

What Should You Watch for With Builders Risk Insurance in Hawaii?

  • Treat the state flood viewer as a first screen

    DLNR says its Flood Hazard Assessment Tool displays FEMA's GIS version of the FIRM, but the tool is informational, does not identify every potentially hazardous area, and county rules may reach outside the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. Verify the parcel and applicable requirements with the county floodplain manager and official FEMA map products. 1,3

  • Use the lava map only for Hawaii Island

    USGS divides the Island of Hawaii into nine approximate lava-flow hazard zones based chiefly on historic and prehistoric flows and topography. The boundaries change gradually and are not parcel-level guarantees; for a project on that island, check the site's location and access/utilities against current local information. 2

  • Include access and utility dependencies in planning

    USGS notes that lava can destroy buildings, roads, utility and communication systems. For sites in Hawaii Island's mapped hazard areas, identify alternate access and critical utility dependencies in the project plan, then ask the broker how the actual form treats physical damage, access interruption and delay. 2

Which Builders Risk Insurance Providers Have Hawaii License Records?

No provider in our research has both a state license record and a listing for this coverage line. This does not establish that providers are unlicensed. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm availability with a provider when requesting a quote.

Who Regulates Insurance in Hawaii?

Hawaiʻi Insurance Division

The Insurance Division oversees insurance companies and producers, examines Hawaiʻi-based insurers, reviews rate and policy filings, and investigates insurance complaints. It is part of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. 4,5,6

Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in Hawaii

Reported tax rate. 4.68% of premium when Hawaiʻi is the home state 7,8

Hawaiʻi applies a 4.68% tax when it is the insured’s home state. Surplus-lines coverage is placed with an unauthorized insurer, so do not assume the Hawaiʻi Insurance Guaranty Association protects the policy; confirm the insurer’s status and policy terms with your broker.

What Should You Ask Before Buying Builders Risk Insurance in Hawaii?

  1. Which effective FEMA map, county floodplain requirements and any preliminary or map-change materials apply to the parcel?
  2. If the site is on Hawaii Island, what lava-zone and access information did the underwriter use, and are roads, utilities, stored materials and temporary works within the project schedule?
  3. Does the proposed policy address the specific volcanic, flood, earth-movement and interruption exposures we have identified, and what exclusions, waiting periods or sublimits apply?

Builders Risk Insurance in Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hawaii Flood Hazard Assessment Tool the official flood map record?

DLNR describes FHAT as an informational viewer of FEMA GIS map data and points users to FEMA's Map Service Center for official NFIP mapping products. County verification may still be needed for local requirements. 1,3

Do USGS lava-flow hazard zones cover every Hawaiian island?

The nine-zone lava-flow map described by USGS is for the Island of Hawaii. Its boundaries are approximate and based on past flows and topography. 2

Builders Risk Insurance Guides for Other States

Other coverage in HawaiiEvery coverage guide for Hawaii, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.

Updated .

This guide is informational and does not determine whether a policy is available or meets your needs. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, contact Spot with a supporting source.

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