"Insurance is nothing that most of us only learn about when it is too late." With more than 100 years of combined experience in Honolulu, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, LTD understands that the only true way to prepare for an uncertain future is to have some insurance in place. Whether your family is traveling for a vacation or in search of an affordable home, the uncertainty of the outcome can leave a person and their family completely unprepared. "When life knocks you down, don't let it ruin your day," said Honolulu physician, Dr. Edward M. Laviolette, founder of the Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center at the University of Miami. "Have insurance before it ruins you." In Hawaii, residents have known that having a good insurance plan can mean the difference between a safe and a painful recovery.
"The Islands are filled with surprises, but the protection of a solid insurance policy makes the difference between a painful experience and a stress-free one," said Honolulu attorney, Frank Kubota, whose firm represents individuals and families harmed by hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, dog bites, slips and falls and other catastrophic events. "People come to Hawaii to enjoy the natural scenery and abundant cultural experiences, but there is always the danger of something going wrong," said Kubota. "That is why liability coverage from a quality Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy is so very important." Hawaii is home to some of the planet's most gorgeous beaches, including the famous Kapalua Coast, Oahu's Big Island and the Big Island itself. Additionally, there are vast areas of open water, including the Maui Coast and the Molokai Coast, among other beautiful islands.
In regards to protecting your assets in the event that you are a victim in Hawaii, a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy covers a number of different types of incidents. Depending on the level of coverage you purchase, there are various degrees of financial compensation available. If you have a bodily injury claim, your first insurance company of Hawaii will cover up to two and one-half times the total actual cost of your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related benefits. If a property or water damage incident occurs, your first insurance company of Hawaii will also pay up to one and a half times actual cash value for replacement or repair of your damaged property or vehicle.
Property insurance is commonly required in Hawaii. It protects you against natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, storms and earthquakes. Hawaii's hurricane insurance product is actually the most comprehensive available in the world. With just one type of insurance policy, a Hawaii homeowner can cover himself and his entire family against financial harm due to a catastrophe, including death, illness or injury. While the Hawaii homeowners insurance product is typically the most expensive, the state does require a minimum amount of coverage, which is the same as in many other states. If an insured person suffers damage due to a hurricane or earthquake in Hawaii while residing there, he may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner.
When a Hawaii property damage liability policy is combined with an existing bodily injury or health insurance policy, the combined policy becomes a "combined policy." The combined policy will cover both your personal injuries and any additional insured risks that may apply. Unlike most other policies, a Hawaii combined policy will not replace your current health insurance or former employer-based coverage. Instead, a Hawaii combined policy will supplement any such coverage that you currently have.
In the event that a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy is purchased by an individual and he becomes involved in a lawsuit, the new policy will supersede any previously existing policies. One reason that newly purchased policies are not automatically superseded is because an existing bodily injury or health insurance policy was purchased before the individual purchased a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy. If this were the case, a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy would be required, even if the lawsuit did not occur. However, if a lawsuit was brought against an individual who had previously purchased a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy, then that person could still continue to carry the policy without having it become a superseded policy.
Another way in which a Hawaii property damage liability insurance policy can protect its named insured is by providing him with a "safe lead." A "safe lead" is basically a reference to a person that you will not want to fall victim to falling victim to an accident on the property. A safe lead is generally a member of an organization, business or community. An example of a safe lead might be a property manager. If an injured person hires the services of a property manager (who happens to be a member of an organization), then the property manager will be able to provide the injured person with some type of extra protection.
There are a couple of different types of additional insured events that a Hawaii property damage liability policy can protect its named insured from. The first of these is "work performed for the additional insured", which means that if someone slips and falls on your property and it was your fault, then you will be protected from losses incurred. Another of these is a "general supervision" clause. This clause protects your rights in the event that someone on your property does something that you deem to be inappropriate such as performing work on your property when you were not actually there. In addition to this, if you purchase a Hawaii property damage liability policy, you will be covered in the event that someone breaks into your home or car. This is often times referred to as a burglary.