How to get cheap auto insurance in Hawaii
If you’re trying to save money on your insurance policy, looking at your state’s requirements is a good place to start. Each state has its own car insurance requirements, and tells you what the bare minimum is that you need to carry. But don’t forget to look at your own needs and safety concerns when choosing your full insurance plan.
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Average car insurance costs in Hawaii
With average annual costs between $1200 and $1350, Hawaii is neither too expensive nor especially cheap when it comes to car insurance. If you’re looking to buy car insurance here, you can probably expect your cost to fall within this range.
However, it’s good to bear in mind that your unique background and circumstances could contribute to a rate that’s substantially higher or lower than the state average. No matter where you are, a whole host of factors can influence your auto insurance rates, and you’ll have to consider the factors that are under your control to get the best rate possible.
Car insurance companies in Hawaii
- Age. Young drivers under 25, as well as seniors, will pay more for car insurance. Drivers under 25 — and especially male drivers under 25 — are believed by the insurance industry to be at high risk for car accidents. This means the older you get, the lower your car insurance rates will tend to be, until you reach a certain age.
- Sex. Males can often expect higher premiums. This is sometimes further modified by age and marital status.
- Driving experience. L platers and P platers typically pay more, which often compounds the effect of age on premiums.
- Type of car. Roaring down a coastal highway in an exotic sports car sure sounds nice on paper, but a Buick sedan will almost always be cheaper to insure than a Ferrari convertible.
- Occupation. Professionals who drive for work, whether as salespeople or delivery drivers, are sometimes charged more for their coverage due to more time spent on the road. On the other side of the coin, teachers, healthcare professionals and others could see reduced rates based on their fields of work or affiliations with certain professional groups.
- Marital status. Single people are seen as less stable than their married counterparts. If you get married, you’ll probably see your premiums decrease right away.
- Location. Some areas put your car at higher risk of theft, vandalism and other potential hazards, which can incur higher insurance costs. For example, urban drivers are at higher risk for an accident than people who live far outside the city limits. Similarly, if one area is more prone to flooding or storms you may expect this to impact your premiums.
- Claims history. The more car insurance claims you have made in the past, the higher your premiums will generally be.
- Driving record. The more violations you have on your driving record, the more you can expect to pay for your car insurance. If you’re notorious for speeding, driving under the influence or trying to start a drag race at every red light, your insurer will likely know about it and raise prices accordingly.
- Credit score. Like it or not, nearly all auto insurance providers use your credit score to help calculate your risk before arriving at a policy cost. This is because multiple independent studies indicate that if your credit score is low, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Other drivers. Only certain people will be approved to drive the car, and all of them impact the cost. Even the world’s safest driver will get a substantial price hike by listing another less-safe driver on the policy.
- Typical driving habits. Your typical distance driven, how often you get behind the wheel and where you drive all play a part in your car insurance prices.
Does my credit score affect my insurance rates in Hawaii?
Not at all. In fact, Hawaii is one of three US states — the other two are California and Massachusetts — where car insurance providers are prohibited from factoring a customer’s credit score into their insurance rate calculations.
Car insurance requirements in Hawaii
In order to legally drive in Hawaii, you’ll need insurance that at least includes:
- $10,000 for personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This will cover any injuries suffered by you or your passengers, regardless of who was at fault
- $20,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $40,000 total bodily injury coverage per accident
- $10,000 for property damage
When shopping for car insurance, you may see this written as 20/40/10.
Many drivers in some states are legally required to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorists coverage (UM/UIM). This coverage protects you if you get into a car accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages caused by an accident. Hawaii is an opt-out state, which means that car insurance companies are required to offer it, but you can choose not to take it.
You can also get additional types of insurance to better protect yourself, including:
- Collision. If your car is damaged in an accident, this will help pay for repairs.
- Comprehensive. This protect you if your car is damaged by something other than an accident, like vandalism or a storm.
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What happens if I’m caught driving in Hawaii without insurance?
The consequences can be pretty severe if you’re caught driving without proof of insurance in Hawaii, including fines, possible license suspension, and even jail time for repeat offenders. It’s worth noting that Hawaii’s policies on uninsured drivers can change from one island to the next.
Punishments as severe as these are strong deterrents against going without proper insurance coverage in Hawaii.
Uninsured driver penalties in Hawaii
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail time | None required | None required | No more than 30 days |
| Fines & penalties | $500 or 75 – 100 hours of community service | $1,500 – $5,000 and 200 – 275 hours of community service | $1,500 – $5,000 and 200 – 275 hours of community service |
| License & registration suspension | License suspended for 3 months or until proof of coverage is provided | License suspended for 1 year or until proof of coverage is provided | License suspended for 1 year or until proof of coverage is provided Registration & license plate suspended or revoked |
| SR-22 | None required | SR-22 typically required for 3 years | None required |
What can I use as proof of insurance in Hawaii?
As of mid-2016, Hawaii is among the many states allowing electronic proof of insurance. This means if you can display proof of your coverage on a smart device screen, you’re all set. Before this legislation was passed, drivers were required to keep a copy of their insurance card in their vehicle at all times; considering the inevitable dead battery or tech malfunction, keeping a paper backup in the glove compartment isn’t a bad idea anyway, but it’s good to know Hawaii drivers have the option to display proof with their smartphone screen.
Uninsured drivers in Hawaii
It could be the stiff fines and other consequences of driving without proper coverage, but only about 10% of all the drivers in Hawaii are believed to be uninsured. That’s a bit lower than the national average, which hovers between 12-13%.
While an uninsured driver rate of around 10% might not sound too significant, you still run the risk of tangling with that minority and suffering financial pain for it. To fully protect yourself from damages in a car accident, consider adding uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance to your policy.
Can I buy temporary car insurance in Hawaii?
Yes, you can. You might need coverage for a short period for a borrowed car or rental car. It’s perfectly legal to purchase short term car insurance for less than six months, but most standard insurance companies won’t offer this option.
Your best option might be to contact your current insurance provider or an online provider to find out your options. You can also find a policy that lets you cancel for no or low fees, and transfer to a more long term option when you’re ready.
Car insurance companies in Hawaii
Drunk driving laws in Hawaii
If you’re caught driving drunk or impaired in Hawaii, you’re in for steep fines and other penalties including suspension of your driver’s license, community service hours, and even jail time.
DUI penalties in Hawaii
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail time | 1 – 5 days | 5 – 30 days | 10 – 30 days |
| Fines & penalties | $150 – $1,000 | $500 – $1,500 | $500 – $2,500 |
| License suspension | 1 year | 2 years | 2 years |
| Other possible penalties | 14-hour alcohol abuse program, 72 hours of community service | 240 hours of community service | None required |
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Hawaii?
Yes, you can. You might need an SR-22 in Hawaii if you’ve gotten a DUI, lost your license or have too many violation points on your driving record. SR-22 tells the state you have the minimum coverage required to get back behind the wheel.
What happens after a car accident in Hawaii?
Car accidents can be overwhelming. You might be scared for yourself and for your passengers, and you’ll have to collect information from another driver who is probably feeling the same way. To stay calm and protect yourself, follow these steps
- Safety first. Confirm that all involved parties are safe. If anybody is injured, call the police immediately. Check for any other potential dangers. Even if none are found, it’s a good idea to call your local police and inform them of what’s happened.
- Exchange information. Get the complete name, contact info and insurance policy details from other drivers. Note car types, colors, models and license plate numbers, as well as the exact location of the accident.
- Notify your insurance agent. Before you’ve left the scene, call your insurance agent. Once they’re informed of what’s happened, they’ll be able to guide you through any bumps on the road and provide more specific advice to help you.
- Document the scene. Take pictures of the scene, paying special attention to capturing multiple angles of where the damage occurred. Take down the names of police officers and any potential witnesses to better protect your claim.
Who’s at fault after an accident?
Yes, Hawaii is a no-fault state and require no-fault, or Personal Injury Protection coverage. PIP coverage means that your medical expenses are paid for (up to the limits on your insurance policy) regardless of who is found at-fault for the accident.
Is Hawaii’s PIP coverage different than most states?
Yes. Hawaii’s PIP coverage doesn’t automatically come with reimbursement for lost wages, substitute services, funeral benefits and more. It’s a good idea to contact your insurance provider if you’re unsure of what exactly you’re covered for.
Can I be sued even though Hawaii is a no-fault state?
Yes. You can sue or be sued if medical costs resulting from the accident exceed $5,000 and if the accident causes severe injury or death. You can also file a claim against an at-fault driver’s insurer or sue for expenses associated with a damaged car or property.
When should I report an accident to the authorities in Hawaii?
Hawaii’s policies on reporting accidents are hard to find and can change based on the island you’re on. To be safe, it’s always a good idea to call your local law enforcement, inform them of what’s happened and ask them what your next steps should be.
Bottom line
It can be hard to find car insurance policies with the exact policies and conditions you’re hoping for. Research your insurance options to make sure that you’re receiving the coverage that you need — and that your state requires.
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Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Hawaii
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