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Fire & smoke claim help · every island

Fire and smoke damage claim help in Hawaiʻi

A fire claim is one of the largest and most complicated claims a family or business will ever make: the building, everything inside it, smoke and ash residue, and months of living or business expenses. Island Claims is a licensed Hawaiʻi public adjusting firm. We work for you, the policyholder, and keep every part of the claim moving.

Book a complimentary claim reviewCall (808) 808-3778
License #11127106Maui-based, every islandPhone or video appointmentsNot a law firm
What we handle

Fire claims, every part of them

Building, contents, smoke cleaning, living expenses and code upgrades are separate pieces of a fire claim. We track all of them.

House and building fires

Kitchen, electrical and structure fires, including water damage from putting the fire out.

The first 72 hours after damage

Wildfire damage

Homes, outbuildings, fencing, landscaping and water systems damaged or destroyed by wildfire.

Depreciation, ACV & replacement cost

Smoke, soot and ash

Residue in walls, ducts, insulation and belongings can be missed when a home looks fine at first glance.

The insurance inspection

Contents and belongings

A complete, priced inventory of what was lost is often the hardest part of a fire claim.

Depreciation, ACV & replacement cost

Additional living expenses

Rent, hotel, extra food and travel costs while your home cannot be lived in.

Ask about your living expenses

Business fire claims

Building damage, inventory, equipment and business income while you are closed.

Business interruption claims
Why it matters

Smoke damage is easy to underestimate

Maui’s August 2023 wildfires showed how far fire and smoke damage can reach, including homes that were left standing. Smoke and ash can work into insulation, ductwork and fabrics, and a quick wipe-down rarely solves it.

Rebuilding in Hawaiʻi also costs more than many policies assumed: building codes, permits, shipping and labor all add up. We document the full loss, from the frame to the last fork, and check what your policy provides for code upgrades and extended replacement cost.

Page photo: Photo: Nikoloz Gachechiladze, via Unsplash.

Every island

Fire & smoke damage claims help across Hawaiʻi

Maui

Serving Lahaina, Kīhei, Kahului, Wailuku, Upcountry, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

Maui public adjuster

Oʻahu

Serving Honolulu, Kailua, Kāneʻohe, Pearl City and Kapolei.

Honolulu public adjuster

Hawaiʻi Island

Serving Hilo, Puna, Kona, Waimea and Kaʻū.

Big Island public adjuster

Kauaʻi

Serving Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa, Hanalei, Kōloa and Waimea.

Kauaʻi public adjuster
LahainaKīheiKahului & WailukuUpcountry MauiHiloKailua-Kona
Read next

Guides for fire and smoke claims

The first 72 hours

What to photograph, save and say right after a loss

The first 72 hours after damage

Depreciation explained

ACV, replacement cost and the holdback

Depreciation, ACV & replacement cost

Can I cash the check?

What accepting payment really means

Can I cash the insurance check?

If your claim was denied

Your options after a denial

If your claim was denied
How it works

Three steps, no pressure

  1. Book a reviewPick a time that works for you, by phone or video.
  2. We look at your policy and damageSend photos and your policy. We explain what is covered, what may be missing and what to document next.
  3. You decideHire us, handle the claim yourself, or ask an attorney. We cannot promise a result or a payment amount.
Already have an adjuster?If a public adjuster is already handling your claim, please stay in touch with them directly.
Common questions

Fire & smoke damage claims FAQs

Often, yes. Smoke and ash damage from a nearby fire can be a covered loss. Document odor, residue and discoloration, keep cleaning and testing reports, and ask for any denial in writing with the policy language it relies on.
Go room by room, use photos, videos, receipts, bank and card statements and online order histories. Your policy may give you a set amount of time to submit the inventory, so ask for an extension in writing if you need one.
If your home cannot be lived in after a covered loss, many policies pay the extra cost of living elsewhere, such as rent and added food or travel costs, for a set period or up to a limit. Keep every receipt.
Only if your policy includes ordinance or law coverage, and usually up to a limit. Rebuilding to current code can cost much more than restoring what was there, so check your declarations page.
Not necessarily. Some fire claims stay open for years, especially for contents, living expenses and rebuild costs. Bring your policy, your claim letters and any deadlines you have been given to a complimentary review.
A public adjuster works for you, the policyholder, not the insurance company. We read your policy, document the damage, prepare the claim and handle the back-and-forth with your insurer. Your insurer’s adjuster works for the insurer.
No. A public adjuster handles the insurance claim itself: the policy, the damage and the paperwork. An attorney gives legal advice and can take legal action. Island Claims is a public adjusting firm, not a law firm. If your claim may need legal action, a licensed Hawaiʻi attorney is the right person to ask.
Sources and updates
Ready when you are

Do not face your insurance company alone.

A complimentary review shows you where your claim stands.

Book a complimentary claim review

Call (808) 808-3778 · aloha@island.claims