What Kidnap and Ransom Insurance Requirements Apply in Hawaii?

Hawaii limits ordinary surplus-lines K&R to coverage exceeding what authorized insurers can provide and bars a rate below the lowest generally acceptable admitted-market rate for substantially the same protection. A qualifying exempt commercial purchaser can bypass the diligent search only after disclosure and a later written request.

What Is Kidnap and Ransom Insurance?

Kidnap and ransom insurance provides financial protection for specified kidnapping and extortion events and gives the business access to a crisis-response firm. Check who is insured, which events are named, and how territory and sanctions terms apply to your actual travel. Read the national Kidnap and ransom guide.

What Should You Watch for With Kidnap and Ransom Insurance in Hawaii?

  • The ECP Search Waiver Has Two Steps

    Hawaii’s statute waives the diligent search for an exempt commercial purchaser only if the broker first discloses that admitted insurance may provide greater protection and oversight, then receives the purchaser’s later written request. Ask which named insured qualifies under the federal ECP definition and keep both records with the K&R submission. 1,3

  • Compare Any Admitted Layer and Rate

    For a buyer outside the ECP route, HRS §431:8-301 requires the surplus-lines placement to be in addition to or excess of coverage obtainable from authorized insurers and bars a rate below the lowest rate generally acceptable to admitted insurers for substantially the same protection. Ask whether an admitted insurer can cover part of the requested K&R limit and how the quoted layer is priced. 1

  • Hawaii Tax Applies Only When It Is the Home State

    DCCA states a single 4.68% surplus-lines tax applies when Hawaii is the insured’s home state; federal law defines home state by principal place of business (or residence for an individual), with a premium-allocation rule when all risk is elsewhere. Ask the broker to identify the named insured and show the tax separately from premium and fees. 2,3

Which Kidnap and Ransom Providers Have Hawaii License Records?

These providers publish a national listing for Kidnap and ransom; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in Hawaii. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.

  • Corgi

    Insurance producer · checked 2026-09-28

    Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.

    Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. 11

    Corgi lists kidnap and ransom among its specialized business-insurance offerings.

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.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy Kidnap and Ransom in Hawaii

  1. Does the named insured qualify as a federal exempt commercial purchaser, and can we keep the disclosure and later written request?
  2. Can an authorized insurer cover part of the requested K&R limit, and how does the surplus layer satisfy Hawaii’s rate rule?
  3. Which insured entity makes Hawaii the home state for this placement, and is the 4.68% tax listed separately?
  4. Which people, destinations, events, and response expenses are stated in the actual K&R policy?

Kidnap and Ransom Insurance in Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions

Can an exempt commercial purchaser skip Hawaii’s K&R admitted-market search?

Yes, if it meets the exempt-commercial-purchaser definition and the broker first discloses the admitted-market tradeoff before receiving the purchaser’s written placement request. 1,3

When does Hawaii charge its surplus-lines tax on K&R?

DCCA states that the 4.68% rate applies to surplus-lines insurance for which Hawaii is the insured’s home state. 2

Kidnap and Ransom 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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