HB 2189 Summary

• Adds new Part to Hawaii insurance law (Chapter 431, Article 14) establishing regulations for insurers using wildfire risk models to rate residential and commercial property insurance.

• Requires insurers to provide wildfire risk models and related documentation to the insurance commissioner as part of rate applications, with all materials made available for public inspection regardless of claims of confidentiality or trade secret protection.

• Mandates that rating plans using wildfire risk models must credit policyholders for community-level mitigations (such as Firewise USA designations) and property-level improvements including defensible space maintenance, class-A fire-rated roofs, enclosed eaves, fire-resistant vents, multipane windows, and noncombustible vertical clearance at building base.

• Requires insurers to provide written wildfire risk scores or classifications to applicants and policyholders within 180 days of the effective date, including detailed explanations of assigned scores, ranges of possible scores, specific property features affecting the rating, and available mitigation measures with associated premium reductions.

• Establishes appeal procedures allowing policyholders and applicants to challenge wildfire risk classifications directly to insurers or through agents/brokers, with insurers required to respond within 30 calendar days, and allows appeals to the insurance commissioner if denied.