By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Standard Hawaiʻi homeowners policies don’t automatically include hurricane or flood coverage, the state Insurance Commissioner reminded residents on September 24, 2026, as Hurricane Nolo approached. After Hurricanes Lala, Lowell and Nolo, the state has asked insurers to offer payment relief through January 7, 2027. Hurricane season runs through November 30.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. Three storms in about six weeks have put Maui hurricane insurance back at the top of buyers’ questions, and for good reason. Before you write an offer on a Maui home or condo, you need to know what hurricane coverage will cost, who carries it in a condo building, and how this season’s storms may affect the process.

What happened with Hurricanes Lala, Lowell and Nolo?

All three storms affected Hawaiʻi between mid-August and late September 2026. Hurricane Lala brought heavy rain and flooding to Hawaiʻi Island in August. Hurricane Lowell, which briefly reached Category 5 strength, threatened the western islands in early September. Hurricane Nolo stalled south of the state in late September, sending rain, wind and surf toward Hawaiʻi Island and Maui County.

On Maui, Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation ahead of Nolo, County offices closed on Friday, September 25, and Maui Bus service was suspended that weekend. The Maui County Council even recessed its September 25 meeting and finished it on September 30.

This was the season NOAA expected. Its May outlook gave a 70% chance of an above-normal central Pacific season, with 5 to 13 tropical cyclones, linked to El Niño conditions. The central Pacific hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricanes on Maui?

Not automatically. Hawaiʻi Insurance Commissioner Scott Saiki reminded residents on September 24, 2026 that standard homeowners policies don’t automatically include hurricane or flood coverage, and that separate policies may be needed even outside designated flood zones. Renters need their own policies for belongings, and drivers may need comprehensive auto coverage for storm damage.

In practice, a Maui buyer often ends up pricing three pieces:

Coverage	What it generally covers	Notes for buyers
Homeowners (HO-3) or condo unit (HO-6)	Fire, liability, theft and other named risks	Check whether hurricane wind is excluded
Hurricane coverage	Wind damage from a named hurricane	Often a separate policy or endorsement with its own deductible
Flood insurance	Rising water, including storm surge	Separate policy, usually through the NFIP or a private carrier

For condos, the association’s master policy usually covers the building, and your HO-6 policy covers your unit’s interior and your liability. Ask whether the master policy includes hurricane coverage, what the deductible is, and how a deductible would be shared among owners after a claim.

What has the State of Hawaiʻi done for policyholders after the storms?

The Insurance Division has issued two key notices. In Commissioner’s Memorandum 2026-8A, dated September 10, 2026, the Commissioner asked insurers to avoid canceling or non-renewing policies for non-payment during this hardship, to allow reasonable grace periods and payment plans, and to waive late fees through January 7, 2027. It’s a request, not a mandate, so policy terms still govern.

Then on September 25, 2026, Declaration 2026-4LIC allowed licensed out-of-state independent adjusters to work temporarily in Hawaiʻi on claims from Lala, Lowell and Nolo, to help insurers respond to claims on time.

If you think an insurer is treating you unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Hawaiʻi Insurance Division.

How can I lower hurricane insurance costs on a Maui home?

Wind-resistance upgrades are the main lever. In an August 28, 2026 Hawaiʻi Public Radio report, Dennis Hwang, co-author of the Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, described possible insurer discounts of about 10% for hurricane clips tying the roof to the walls, 15–18% for window protection such as panels, and 10–12% for securing the walls to the foundation. Together, he said, they could cut premiums by more than a third. Discounts vary by insurer, so ask for each one in writing.

The same report noted that hurricane coverage that cost $1,000 a year three to five years ago may cost more than twice that today.

My Take: What I’m Telling Buyers and Sellers About Hurricane Insurance

For buyers, get real insurance quotes, including hurricane and flood, during your due-diligence period, not after. On a single-family home, ask the seller for documentation of roof-to-wall ties, window protection or foundation work, because those features can lower your premium and should be part of how you value the home. On a condo, read the master policy declarations page, the most recent budget and the reserve study, and ask whether any hurricane deductible or special assessment is pending.

Also plan around storm timing. Ask your insurance agent whether a hurricane watch or warning would affect binding a new policy, and line up coverage early in escrow while hurricane season runs through November 30. Ask your lender about its insurance deadline before closing, too.

For sellers, gather your wind-mitigation records, permits for any upgrades and, for condos, the association’s insurance summary before you list. Buyers are asking for these documents earlier than they used to, and having them ready can keep a deal on schedule. This is general information, not insurance, tax or legal advice; confirm details with a licensed insurance agent, a CPA or a Hawaiʻi attorney.

For more on the broader insurance picture, see my guide to insurance costs before you offer and my post on Maui flood insurance and the NFIP deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hurricane insurance required on Maui?

State law doesn’t require it for every homeowner, but lenders and condo associations often have insurance requirements. Ask your lender and, for condos, the association what coverage they require.

When does hurricane season end in Hawaiʻi?

The central Pacific hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Does flood insurance cover hurricane damage?

Flood insurance covers damage from rising water, including storm surge. Wind damage usually falls under hurricane coverage, so many Maui owners need both.

How long does the state’s storm relief request last?

Commissioner’s Memorandum 2026-8A asks insurers to provide payment relief through January 7, 2027, unless the Commissioner extends it.

Ask Benjamin

Insurance can change the math on a Maui purchase, especially this season. I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to help you build insurance questions into your offer timeline for any Maui home or condo. Call or text 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Insurance Division (Commissioner’s Memorandum 2026-8A, Sept. 10, 2026; Declaration 2026-4LIC, Sept. 25, 2026); Hawaii News Now (Sept. 24, 2026); Hawaiʻi Public Radio (Aug. 28, 2026); NOAA/National Weather Service Honolulu 2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Outlook; Maui Now (May 22, Sept. 24 and Sept. 30, 2026); The Weather Channel (Sept. 28, 2026); UPI (Sept. 4, 2026).