Hawaii Car Insurance: How to Get the Cheapest Rates
Hawaii is one of the cheaper states to have car insurance-the average rate being $1,589 a year. A lack of highways in combination with the state’s mild weather patterns make for such low rates.
Though Hawaii has low rates, the right balance of coverage and price should still be met in order to protect your assets and minimize your premium.
In this guide we’ll help you find the right rate to match the type of coverage you'll need.
Average Car Insurance Rates in Hawaii
Statewide average premiums in Hawaii for three popular car insurance coverage levels (all premium information we’ll be providing comes from our sister site, Car Insurance.com.)
- “Full coverage” –100/300/100***, with comprehensive and collision coverage, including a deductible of $500: $1,589 per year
- Liability only, with 50/100/50: $558 per year
- Liability only, using the state minimum coverage levels: $485 per year
(***100/300/100 refers to liability coverage levels.)
The first number represents bodily injury or death to one person in a single at-fault accident.
The second number represents bodily injury or death to two or more people in a single at-fault car accident.
The third number refers to property damage caused to other vehicles in an at-fault accident. Full coverage also includes collision and comprehensive coverage, which pays for repairs to your vehicle no matter who is at fault.
Factors that Will Affect Your Hawaii Car Insurance Premium
Below are some of the main factors that will determine the premium you’ll pay for Hawaii car insurance.
Gender
In most states, gender plays a large role in determining your rate. However, in Hawaii there’s not much difference based on gender, even if you’re under 25. Men and women pay about the same amount for identical coverage.
Your age
In most states, age is a major factor. It doesn’t play as big of a role in Hawaii car insurance rates.
An 18-year-old male driver living in Honolulu will pay $141 a month, or $1,692 per year, for 100/300/100 coverage. A 30-year-old male with the same coverage will pay $130 a month, or $1,560 per year. Although younger drivers will still pay more, there's not a very large difference between the rates.
In general, insurance rates will go up once you reach the age of 65. This is not the case with Hawaii car insurance. A 75-year-old male will pay the same rate as a 30-year-old male for the same premium.
Driving records
Your driving history will be the biggest factor in determining your insurance rate. Hawaii does not use a points system on your driver's license, although it can be suspended if you have too many offenses on your record.
Traffic violations are categorized in Hawaii: traffic infractions and traffic crimes. Infractions will stay on your record for three years, while traffic crimes stay for five years.
Speeding no more than 11-16 miles over the limit will produce a 10% premium increase.
Speeding 30 miles over the limit will also produce a 10% premium increase.
The average increase in Hawaii is 208% for a DUI/DWI first offense (subsequent offenses will be much higher and carry serious penalties). A DUI/DWI will stay on your record for 10 years.
Premium increases based on at-fault accidents can have a similar effect.
A typical car insurance premium in Hawaii will increase by 13% after an accident claim that’s determined to be your fault.
That’s just an average, since the premium increase will vary based on the dollar amount of any property damage claim, or whether or not the accident resulted in bodily injury. That percentage will also change based on which company you choose, since each company assesses risk differently.
SR-22: Hawaii requires SR-22 documentation for drivers who are convicted of serious traffic violations. The list includes reckless driving, hit-and-run, and DUIs, among other major offenses. The violation you commit will put you into the list of high-risk of drivers and raise your insurance costs 25% or more. Exactly how much will be determined by the specific violation or series of violations attached to your driving record.
Credit Hhistory
Unlike most states, Hawaii forbids insurance companies from factoring in your credit when it comes to calculating your rate.
This is a major advantage to drivers with bad credit.
Coverage amount
We previously provided the factors that play into statewide average premiums based on the most popular coverage.
Just a refresher, a policy with liability limits of 100/300/100 is $1,589 per year, while liability coverage limits of 50/100/50 is $558. State coverage for minimum liability is $485 per year.
That doesn’t mean you should choose the lowest liability level. Your liability coverage should be sufficient to cover your net worth.
For example, if your net worth is less than $50,000, you can choose the state minimum 20/40/10 coverage.
If your net worth is between $50,000 and $100,000, choose at least 50/100/50.
If it's more than $200,000, choose at least 100/300/100. With too little coverage, a major claim or lawsuit could force you to pay out-of-pocket for amounts that exceed your liability limits.
Covered vehicles
An older vehicle will usually cost less than a brand-new vehicle to insure. And as a general rule, the more expensive a vehicle is, the more it will cost to insure.
Brand-new cars or certain vehicle types, like SUVs, pickup trucks, sports cars, and luxury cars will cost more to insure than a 10-year-old sedan.
This is at least partially because the older vehicle may not require collision and comprehensive coverage.
It is recommended that if your car is less than 10 years old you should buy collision and comprehensive.
But if your car is more than 10 years old, you may only need collision and comprehensive if it’s worth $3,000 or more, or if you can’t afford to replace your car if it’s totaled.
The insurer
The company you choose will be an important factor. The difference in pricing for the same premium between different companies can amount to thousands of dollars.
Below are the average statewide premiums for full coverage (100/300/100) by six major carriers operating in Hawaii:
- GEICO: $975 per year
- Progressive: $1,181 per year
- State Farm: $1,252 per year
- Allstate: $1,724 per year
- Liberty: $2,082 per year
- Farmers: $2,318 per year
Notice that Farmers, the most expensive provider, charges premiums that are over two times higher than GEICO, the lowest cost provider.
What is the Average Hawaii Car Insurance Rate Based on Hawaii City?
Even within the same state, there can be major variations in premium levels from one city or town to another. But that’s less a factor in Hawaii than in other states.
With the statewide average premium at $1,589 in Hawaii for 100/300/100 coverage, average premiums on a local level are as follows:
- Anahola: $1,368
- Waimea: $1,776
- Pearl City: $1,560
- Honolulu: $1,560
- Makakilo: $1,560
- Kailua: $1,560
- Pahoa: $1,776
- Hilo: $1,776
- Volcano: $1,740
In most states, your location in either a large city or a rural area will have a large impact on the premium you’ll pay for car insurance. But car insurance in Hawaii isn’t determined by city. Instead, it goes by county of residence.
Hawaii is made up of four counties. The only city in Hawaii is Honolulu which is associated with the county of Honolulu.
The other counties are Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.
Car insurance premiums within each county will typically be the same in all locations within that county.
Auto Insurance Laws in Hawaii
Hawaii car insurance laws require that drivers carry minimum liability coverage limits of 20/40/10 on their vehicle. The minimum car insurance requirements in Hawaii are listed below:
- Minimum bodily injury liability, one person: $20,000
- Minimum bodily injury liability, two or more people: $40,000
- Minimum property damage liability: $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Managed Care (PPO): $10,000
If you are injured in an accident, no matter whose fault it’s determined to be, you’ll file a claim against your own insurance company. That’s where PIP coverage comes into the picture.
Basic Information on Optional Coverages in Hawaii
As is the case in virtually every other state, there’s a wide range of optional coverages available to add to your policy in Hawaii. The most popular include:
Collision
While the personal property damage portion of a car insurance policy covers the cost of repairs to the other driver’s vehicle when you are determined to be at fault, it will not cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle.
You can add collision coverage specifically for that purpose. It will be required by your lender if you have a loan or lease outstanding on the car.
Comprehensive
Covers your vehicle for damage sustained while it is parked.
This can be hazards, like theft, storm damage, or falling trees.
Uninsured/under-insured motorist
Even though there are state laws designed to prevent it, many drivers have no car insurance. Many more have only minimal coverage. This provision will protect you if you’re involved in an accident with either type of driver.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Hawaii is a no-fault state.
Hawaii requires motorists to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) or managed care (PPO) of at least $10,000 to provide immediate treatment after a car accident. Each driver files against his or her own policy, rather than the other driver's. This includes medical expenses but not lost wages, death or funeral expenses. It is optional to add on each of these as separate coverages. Having health insurance may provide extra coverage to help save money on PIP expenses.
Tips to Get the Best Rates on Hawaii Car Insurance Policies
Below are the most popular strategies to get the best rates on car insurance in Hawaii:
Drive safely
Poor driving history can have the most impact on your premium. Drive safe and avoid any violations or at-fault accidents.
A clean driving history for three years or more will provide you with the best rates available.
Shop for the lowest cost provider
Shop around and see who has the best rates.
The difference in premiums between companies can be $1,000 or more for the same amount of coverage.
You should get quotes for at least three or four companies to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate.
Complete a safe driver course
If you have a poor driving history, your insurance company may allow you to complete an approved safe driver course.
That may minimize the damage from your driving history and give you a better rate.
Don’t keep more liability coverage than you need
If you're new to driving, full liability coverage may not be necessary. The state minimum may be enough.
Take advantage discounts
Check with your insurance company to see how many discounts they have available. Take advantage of any and all that apply to you.
Bottom Line
Hawaii is on the lower end of the cost scale when it comes to car insurance.
But you still need to make sure you have the right amount of coverage for your financial profile, vehicle type and driving habits, as well as the lowest premium for that coverage.
