HONOLULU – First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) is warning consumers about fake auto insurance ID cards being sold on Maui. Fake agents are illegally selling cards listing FICOH as the carrier and Business Insurance Services as the insurance agency. Dozens of unsuspecting victims have called to file a claim or tried to complete their safety inspections only to find out they don’t actually have a policy with FICOH. When consumers discover they don’t have the insurance they believed they had, they are left to pay for damages out of their own pocket or face driving their car illegally. Fake cards listing other insurance companies have also been reported.
Creating a fake insurance card is illegal. Criminals who sell fake cards often pose as insurance agents. The fraudsters on Maui are using legitimate agents’ names to perpetrate their crimes. The fake agents pocket the premiums paid by their victims without securing or providing any coverage.
“FICOH is asking the public to help shut down this illegal activity by verifying that their insurance card is genuine,” said Nina Ota, Vice President, First Insurance.
“We want to prevent innocent people from finding out they don’t have a valid insurance policy after an accident happens,” added Mike Nonaka, President, Business Insurance Services.
Protect Yourself Against Fraud:
- First and foremost, take note of where the agent asks you to go to make a payment. If it’s somewhere other than their office or the carrier’s website, that could be a sign they’re attempting to scam you.
- A legitimate insurance agent should also be able to provide you with an electronic or paper copy of your insurance policy. Failure to produce a policy could indicate they never secured insurance for you.
- Look at the printing on your insurance card. A fake card may have different shades of print on it, while authentic cards should have consistent ink coloring.
- Be sure the insured's first and last name and contact information are correct.
- Check that the vehicle's year, make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN) match the same information on your car.
- The policy's effective date and expiration date are on the card.
- The policy number is shown on the card.
- Your insurance company’s name and contact information are on the card.
- The name of the insurance agent listed on the card is the same person you are purchasing the policy from.
- If you don’t see this information on your insurance card, it’s a red flag that you may be holding a fake auto insurance card.
Verify Your Auto Insurance
Contact the carrier or agent listed on your card. You can also contact Hawaii’s Division of Motor Vehicles, which keeps an up-to-date record of every licensed driver's auto insurance policy, including the policy number and the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Verify Your Insurance Company, Agency and Agent
Confirm that the car insurance company, the insurance agency, and the insurance agent you work with are licensed to do business in Hawaii. To find out, contact the Hawaii Insurance Division, which keeps an up-to-date record of all insurance carriers, agencies and agents that are licensed to sell coverage in Hawaii.
Report Insurance Fraud
Everyone ends up paying for auto insurance fraud. You can report any suspected fraudulent activity to the National Insurance Crime Bureau at their website: https://www.nicb.org/how-we-help/report-fraud
About First Insurance Company of Hawaii
Founded in 1911, and celebrating its 111th anniversary this year, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd. is the oldest and largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Hawaii, with assets of $677 million, liabilities of $423.7 million, and policyholders’ surplus of $253.3 million as of December 31, 2021.
First Insurance, a member of the Tokio Marine North America (TMNA) group of companies, enjoys an “A+” rating from A.M. Best Co. Proud of its broadly experienced, service-oriented staff, First Insurance employs 300 insurance professionals and distributes its products through 27 independent general agencies. First Insurance was awarded the American Heart Association’s Workplace Health Gold Achievement for 2020. In 2021, First Insurance was named Hawaii’s number one Best Places to Work in the "large company" category by Hawaii Business magazine.
First Insurance supports many local organizations through monetary donations made at the corporate level, by its associates and the First Insurance Foundation. Its charitable giving focuses on four areas: 1) family, social services and health care; 2) education and career development; 3) environment and sustainability; and 4) civic, culture and the arts.
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About Business Insurance Services
Business Insurance Services, Inc. was formed in 1990. Business Insurance is a locally owned and operated insurance agency offering a wide array of insurance products and services. From their humble beginnings, they have expanded to having offices on all islands and become one of the state’s largest independent insurance agencies.
Customer satisfaction is Business Insurance’s number one priority. Their staff of insurance professionals is dedicated toward achieving service excellence. The agency is focused on serving their customers and agents through its ability to offer excellent products and services that will support the growth of their customers’ businesses as well as their own.