Minimum requirements and 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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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.
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.
In order to legally drive in Hawaii, you’ll need insurance that at least includes:
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:
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.
| 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 requirement | None required | SR-22 typically required for 3 years | None required |
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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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 |
Yes, you can. You might need an SR-22 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.
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
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.
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.
About 8.9% of Hawaii drivers don’t drive with any sort of insurance, which is below the 12.6% national average.
To protect yourself from damages in a car accident, consider adding uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance to your policy.
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.
Find the cheapest rates near you and compare car insurance providers.
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