The Maui Wildfires: Recovering from the unexpected
How we are keeping our promise to you
Our hearts go out to our policyholders whose lives have been affected by the 2023 Maui Wildfires.
We take seriously our responsibility to be there for people when they need us the most.
As the recovery process continues, this website is intended to provide you with information and resources to help in your recovery.
State Farm responded immediately
In the early morning hours of August 8, 2023, a wildfire spread quickly (NBC News), causing devastation across Maui, including the historic town of Lahaina.
In total, the fires damaged over 2,200 buildings, more than 2,000 acres of land and, tragically, took 102 lives, making it the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over 100 years.
In the immediate aftermath of the wildfire, State Farm® deployed claim representatives and opened a Catastrophe Customer Care site with claims. Our presence on the island was also represented by our local State Farm agents who are also members of the community.
Claims and indemnities paid to date:
• Within the first 30 days, State Farm made more than 1,000 payments, totaling more than $73 million.
• To date, State Farm has paid out more than $257 million over 2,370 catastrophe claims.
In addition to our support for customers, we have also helped the broader community. Whether a donation from State Farm or an individual agent volunteering for a local organization, we believe showing up for the community is the right thing to do.
Moving toward recovery
Below are some answers to questions that we hope will aid you in understanding the claims process. If you need help with any aspect of your claim, you can contact State Farm at any hour of the day:
General inquiries
800-STATE-FARM (800-782-8332)
Auto/Home/Property claims
800-SF-CLAIM (800-732-5246)
Auto glass only claims
888-624-4410 Health claims
866-855-1212
Life claims
877-292-0398
What are my first steps?
After a claim has been filed, a State Farm claims handler will contact you to discuss the extent of damage and review what is covered under your policy.
Assisting you in recovering from the loss you suffered is a complex task that will take some time to complete. State Farm understands your loss is personal and will assist you in identifying what you lost, how coverage applies to that loss and how we can help you in the recovery process.
State Farm has teams that can assist you with your home, contents and living expense claims.
If at any time during the claims process, you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your claims handler. We know this can be a difficult and confusing time. We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who is going to help me with my claim?
It will take time, but State Farm is here to support you from the beginning until the very end.
The claims process can be complex, and it is often necessary to involve more than one claim handler.
This approach to enhanced customer service allows State Farm to provide quality and efficient claim service, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
What is the claim process?
After a claim has been filed a State Farm claim handler will contact our customer to discuss the extent of damage and review what is covered under the policy. The next steps in the claim process depend on many factors including the extent of damage and accessibility of the property.
If covered damage is so extensive that the residence is uninhabitable, then Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage may be available.
Good Neighbor contributions
In keeping with the Good Neighbor spirit, State Farm provided over $1 million in grants to Hawaii non-profit organizations to help with immediate and long-term wildfire recovery efforts.
The following local organizations received financial support to continue their critical recovery work:
- Habitat for Humanity Maui
- American Red Cross Hawaii Region
- Hawaiian Salvation Army
- Maui Food Bank
- Convoy of Hope
State Farm agents support residents
- A State Farm Customer Response Unit (CRU) traveled throughout the areas impacted by the fire to meet and support residents.
- The CRU team and local State Farm Agents Chad Santiago, Kit Okazaki and Wayde Omura joined the CRU to distribute needed items such as water, work gloves, first aid kits, and other essential items to help residents as they began recovery from the devastating wildfires.
- Agent Chad Santiago shares his personal experience in this video as he talks about going through the fire and efforts to protect his home, family and office, and his return to the area to support his community.
- For more than two weeks, Agent Paul MacDonald worked with his local church to provide shelter for individuals and families until all residents were moved into hotels or temporary housing.
- Immediately following the wildfire catastrophe, State Farm Agent Mark Zion was on active duty with the Hawaii Army National Guard for a over a month working on the military response mission to the Lahaina wildfires.
Additional resources
In addition to the information and claims guidance provided, additional resources are listed below that may be of help in your recovery process.
Insurance basics:
Personal Property and Casualty Insurance
Replacement Cost vs Market Value
Disaster preparedness & recovery:
What To Do After a Wildfire
What to Do After a House Fire