State Requirements
Hawaii operates under a no-fault insurance system, meaning your own policy pays for your medical expenses after an accident regardless of who caused it. Drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times and provide it during vehicle registration renewal. Unlike most states, Hawaii mandates Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in addition to liability, making it one of 12 no-fault states in the U.S.
Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Hawaii quote.
Get your Hawaii quoteCost Overview
Hawaii's insurance costs run higher than the national average due to its isolated geography, limited competition among insurers, high vehicle import and repair costs, and elevated medical expenses. First-time drivers and those under 25 pay significantly more — typically 60–90% above base rates — because they lack driving history and statistically file more claims. Rates vary by island, with Oahu generally seeing higher premiums than Maui or the Big Island due to traffic density and collision frequency.
What Affects Your Rate
- Age and experience: Drivers under 25 with less than 3 years of licensed driving pay 60–90% more than drivers over 25 with clean records.
- Island location: Oahu rates run 15–25% higher than neighbor islands due to traffic congestion, theft rates in urban Honolulu, and higher collision frequency.
- Vehicle type: Trucks and SUVs common in Hawaii cost 10–20% more to insure than sedans due to higher repair costs and the expense of shipping parts to the islands.
- Credit history: Hawaii is one of the states that allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores, which can raise rates by 30–50% for drivers with limited or poor credit.
- Deductible selection: Choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 typically reduces comprehensive and collision premiums by 15–20%.
- Annual mileage: Drivers commuting under 10 miles daily pay 10–15% less than those driving 20+ miles, reflecting lower exposure to Oahu's H-1 freeway congestion.
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Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is split into two parts: bodily injury (which pays for injuries to others) and property damage (which pays for damage to their vehicles or property). Your premium — the amount you pay monthly or every six months — covers both, and they're always sold together as a package with limits like 20/40/10.
Full Coverage
Full coverage is an industry term (not a specific policy type) that combines liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage — it protects both other people and your own vehicle. Collision pays to repair your car after an accident regardless of fault, while comprehensive covers non-collision damage like theft, weather, or vandalism.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after non-collision events — think theft, vandalism, fallen tree branches during tropical storms, or damage from hitting an animal. You choose a deductible (the amount you pay before insurance covers the rest), typically $500 or $1,000.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
This coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage to pay for your injuries and, in some cases, vehicle damage. Hawaii requires uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the same limits as your liability, unless you reject it in writing.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage pays to repair your vehicle after an accident with another car or object, regardless of who was at fault. Like comprehensive, you select a deductible — the portion you pay out of pocket before coverage applies — with $500 and $1,000 being the most common choices.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP is mandatory in Hawaii and covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs after an accident regardless of who caused it — this is the foundation of Hawaii's no-fault system. The required $10,000 minimum also extends to passengers in your vehicle, and you can purchase higher limits like $25,000 or $50,000.
