The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has ruled that insurance companies can’t bring their own legal actions against those blamed for Maui’s catastrophic 2023 wildfire, the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century.

The massive inferno that was the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century decimated the historic town of Lahaina, killing more than 100 people.

The outcome could mean higher insurance premiums or a bankrupt utility. It could also upend the proposed settlement, delaying payments to wildfire victims

The defendants blamed for causing the deadly tragedy agreed to pay a total of $4.037 billion to resolve claims by thousands of affected people. But a key settlement term says insurance companies can’t separately go after the defendants to recoup money paid to policyholders.

Hawaii's Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can't bring their own legal actions against those blamed for Maui's catastrophic 2023 wildfire, allowing a $4 billion settlement that was on that the verge of collapse to proceed.

Hawaii’s Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can’t bring their own legal actions against those blamed for Maui’s 2023 wildfire.

The Hawaii Supreme Court rules against allowing insurance companies to sue the wrongful parties in the $4 billion Maui wildfire settlement.