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Innovative Insurance Resources

615 Piikoi St, Suite 1717
Honolulu, HI 96814

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Can You Secure Home Insurance Coverage for a Short Duration?

Moving to, from, and across the Hawaiian islands is a stressful endeavor. Even as you pack, your home insurance remains connected to your old house. If you have leftover home insurance coverage on your policy that you won’t use, what are your options? If your coverage expires and you need more time, does home insurance offer a shorter duration? The professionals at Innovative Insurance Resources, serving the Honolulu, HI area, will answer both questions.

Can You Secure Home Insurance for Less Than One Year?

No. Home insurance coverage starts at one-year durations. No policy customizes home insurance to last less than a year. 

What Are Your Options?

The only option is to buy home insurance and cancel it before the policy expires. Homeowners can generally cancel their policy as long as they give 30 days’ notice. However, you might face a penalty or fee for early policy termination. The amount varies by carrier. Other policies subtract the cancellation fee or penalty from the refund. Regardless, the cancellation isn’t valid until you mail the notice to the proper party at the insurer end. We encourage you to secure a new policy for your new home before canceling your old policy to avoid coverage gaps. 

Will Short-Term Home Insurance Suffice?

No. Short-term home insurance is another name for unoccupied home insurance or vacant home insurance. That covers damages to empty homes. Reasons for an empty home include selling, remodeling, and being on vacation. It does not cover occupied homes. Furthermore, the insurance policy is temporary, ending when the home reaches occupancy. It is available for primary and secondary homes that will be vacant for 30 days or more. 

If you need home insurance for a short duration, there is a way. Our team will work with you to find carriers with reasonable and straightforward cancellation fees or penalties. We want you to use what you need and discontinue the policy with ease. We also encourage you to open a new home insurance policy with us here at Innovative Insurance Resources, serving the Honolulu, HI area. Contact our office today for more information.

The Difference Between Dwelling Coverage and Personal Property Coverage

Home insurance can feel like a maze of terms, but two of the most important components are dwelling coverage and personal property coverage. While they work together in a single policy, they protect very different aspects of your home. Understanding the difference helps homeowners in Hawaii ensure nothing gets overlooked in their home insurance policy through Innovative Insurance Resources, serving Honolulu, HI.

Dwelling Coverage Explained

Dwelling coverage focuses on the structure of your home. This includes the walls, roof, floors, built-in appliances, and any other items permanently attached to the property. If a fire damages your kitchen or a storm tears off shingles, this portion of your policy pays for repairs or rebuilding. In Hawaii, where wind and storm risks are prevalent, having adequate dwelling coverage is crucial to avoid being underinsured.

Personal Property Coverage Explained

Personal property coverage protects the items you bring inside your home, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and household goods. If a covered loss, such as theft, fire, or certain types of water damage, occurs, this part of your policy steps in to cover the cost of replacing these belongings. Some policies even extend this protection to items outside the home, such as a stolen laptop from your car or luggage lost while traveling.

Why the Difference Matters

It is easy to assume that home insurance treats everything the same, but the limits and protections are distinct. A strong policy should include enough dwelling coverage to rebuild the home and sufficient personal property coverage to replace belongings. Reviewing both ensures homeowners do not discover gaps in coverage after a loss occurs.

Understanding this difference is crucial for creating a comprehensive home insurance plan through Innovative Insurance Resources, serving Honolulu, HI. Dwelling coverage protects the house itself, while personal property coverage safeguards the items that make it a home. Together, they provide homeowners with the reassurance that both the structure and belongings are secure.

Partner Carriers


  • Crum & Forster
  • DTRIC
  • First Insurance Company of Hawaii
  • HDS
  • HEMIC
  • Island Insurance Co.
  • Kaiser
  • Pacific Guardian Life
  • UHA