# HI Commissioner's Memorandum 2002-8A: Self-Insured Automobiles

> Hawaii · Agency guidance · Expired

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/HI_INS_CM_2002-8A

## Section

- **Citation:** HI Commissioner's Memorandum 2002-8A
- **Heading:** Self-Insured Automobiles
- **Jurisdiction:** Hawaii
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** Expired
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Hawaii Insurance Division Commissioner's Memoranda / Self-Insured Automobiles

## Text

August 15, 2002

Memorandum 2002-8A

TO:
All Licensed Motor Vehicle Insurers in Hawaii

FR:
Wayne Metcalf, Insurance Commissioner

RE:
Self-Insured Automobiles

It has recently come to the Commissioner’s attention that a number of insurers may be
allowing some of their insureds to self-insure for a portion of their liability and personal injury
protection risks without the insured first demonstrating compliance with Hawaii Revised Statutes
(“HRS”) § 431:10C-105.

These situations are occurring when insurers are issuing large deductible policies with
contractual agreements that allow the insured to adjust and pay all claims falling within the
deductible portion of coverage. Some of the policies include provisions which claim that if the
insured becomes insolvent, the insurer is only responsible for those losses over the amount of stated
deductible.

These types of policies are essentially “excess policies” and do not satisfy the mandated
requirements of HRS § 431:10C-301 or the insurer’s responsibility under HRS § 431:10C-119. An
excess policy is only allowed on automobile coverage if there is an underlying policy or self-insured
program which meets all the provisions mandated by the applicable Hawaii statutes and rules.
Commercial Auto forms in compliance with mandatory coverages must be filed with the State of
Hawaii Insurance Division, pursuant to HRS § 431:10C-201, et seq.

Specifically, these policies must be written in a manner that insurers, rather than insureds,
will be responsible for first dollar coverages. Insurers may then obtain reimbursement from their
insured for all payments made on their behalf up to the amount of the deductible.

The Commissioner has also become aware of certain claims adjustment practices by some
commercial insurers. Specifically, these companies, although providing first dollar coverage, have
delegated claims adjustment authority to their insureds for those claims not exceeding the insureds
deductible
t from their
insured for all payments made on their behalf up to the amount of the deductible.

The Commissioner has also become aware of certain claims adjustment practices by some
commercial insurers. Specifically, these companies, although providing first dollar coverage, have
delegated claims adjustment authority to their insureds for those claims not exceeding the insureds
deductible. Insurers engaging in such activities will be held responsible for any violations committed
by their insureds. Consequently, it is recommended that these delegations of authority be thoroughly
reviewed by your legal counsel before implementation.

Memorandum 2002-8A
August 15, 2002
Page 2

If your company has issued any policies in Hawaii that fail to comply with the requirements
for first dollar coverage, they must be rewritten and/or amended immediately. An officer of the
company must sign and date the Attachment to Commissioner’s Memorandum 2002-8A
(“Attachment”) and return a copy to the State of Hawaii Insurance Division within fifteen (15)
working days of the date of this memorandum or no later than September 9, 2002.

If you determine your company has in-force policies including the aforementioned prohibited
practices, you must so indicate on the Attachment within fifteen (15) working days of the date of this
memorandum or no later than September 9, 2002. Companies that are not presently writing
commercial auto policies should indicate this by checking the appropriate on the attachment. You
may fax your response to (808) 587-6714, Attention: Cecelia Chock, Chief Investigator. If you have
any questions, please contact Chief Investigator Cecelia Chock at (808) 586-2790.
ays of the date of this
memorandum or no later than September 9, 2002. Companies that are not presently writing
commercial auto policies should indicate this by checking the appropriate on the attachment. You
may fax your response to (808) 587-6714, Attention: Cecelia Chock, Chief Investigator. If you have
any questions, please contact Chief Investigator Cecelia Chock at (808) 586-2790.

Memorandum 2002-8A
August 15, 2002
Page 3

ATTACHMENT TO COMMISSIONER’S MEMORANDUM 2002-8I

Name of Insurer(s):

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

(Check as applicable)

( ) 1.
Does not write commercial auto insurance

( ) 2.
Does write commercial auto insurance and has no in-force policies including

the aforementioned prohibited practices.

( ) 3.
Does write commercial auto insurance and has in-force policies that include the

aforementioned prohibited practices. Please provide the following information in

section (a) through (f) for each affected policyholder. (Attach extra sheets of this

page as necessary.)

(a)
Insured:__________________________________________________________

(b)
Policy No.:________________________________________________________

(c)
Policy Limits: _____________________________________________________

(d)
Amount of Deductible or Self-Insured Retention Level: ____________________

(e)
Original issue date: _________________________________________________
ssary.)

(a)
Insured:__________________________________________________________

(b)
Policy No.:________________________________________________________

(c)
Policy Limits: _____________________________________________________

(d)
Amount of Deductible or Self-Insured Retention Level: ____________________

(e)
Original issue date: _________________________________________________
(f)
Policy amendment date to achieve compliance with “first-dollar” coverage:
_________________________________________________________________

Officer’s Name ___________________________________
Title: _________________________

(Print)

Officer’s Signature ________________________________
Date: _________________________

(Signature)

PLEASE RESPOND TO:

Attn: Cecelia Chock, Chief Investigator
STATE OF HAWAII INSURANCE DIVISION
P. O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811-3614
FAX (808) 587-6714

ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 9, 2002

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/HI_INS_CM_2002-8A. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
