Hawai'i homeowners and businesses reacted to Sunday's earthquakes by calling their insurance agents to see if they could file claims for damage ranging from spoiled food to cracked walls and collapsed carports.

Insurance companies reported they'd had more than 200 claims and that the numbers were rising as people assessed damage. Still, other residents were finding out that their homeowner insurance policies don't cover earthquakes.

Anecdotal accounts of the damage included merchandise falling off shelves in stores, and in homes where glassware and dishes broke as they fell to floors. In more serious instances, homes sustained structural damage such as cracks in walls and foundations. It remains to be seen how much insurers pay for claims since only a small number of homeowners and businesses are covered for earthquakes, which require special policies.

"There's not too many people that have earthquake coverage on their homeowner's policy," said Ronald Tobara, an agent for Royal Insurance Agency in Honolulu. He said typically homeowner's policies exclude payments on damage from earth movements, including landslides and earthquakes.

The temblors followed a Friday report by A.M. Best Co., which estimated only 10 percent to 15 percent of U.S. homeowners have earthquake coverage. John Schapperle, president of Honolulu-based Island Insurance Co., said he believes the same percentage, or lower, has the insurance in Hawai'i.

"I don't know anybody who's purchased it here," said Schapperle, who said his company hadn't received any claims.

State Farm Insurance Co., the largest insurer of homes locally, said it had received dozens of claims, most of which were from the Big Island. State Farm was in the process of checking whether the damage was caused by the earthquakes and, if so, whether the policyholder had the extra earthquake or other coverage.

"Earthquake is considered a catastrophe like hurricanes or floods, and that isn't covered by the basic homeowner's policy," said State Farm spokeswoman Carolyn Fujioka. She said her company has about 100 earthquake policies for homes statewide and another 300 for businesses.

First Insurance Co. said it had a little more than 30 claims filed and had flown three claims adjusters to the Big Island yesterday morning. Like other companies, the insurer is investigating the filings to see if it can make payment.

Allstate Insurance Cos. said it had received a "handful" of claims from O'ahu and the Big Island. Some of these dealt with food spoilage and automobile damage. AIG Hawaii Vice President Michael Onofrietti said his company had yet to receive any claims, but that some could be expected as the week progressed.

He said some people may have taken time to clean up and square homes away before contacting their insurance companies. He said AIG may see some people filing claims regarding spoiled food or for automobile damage. Insurers said in each case claims have to be compared against what policies cover.

Onofrietti said comprehensive coverage in automobile policies sometimes allows payment for earthquake damage.

Reach Greg Wiles at gwiles@honoluluadvertiser.com.