Car Insurance in Hawaii

Car Insurance in Hawaii

Hawaii law requires drivers to maintain car insurance on their registered vehicles. This is to help ensure that you are protected in case of a traffic accident.

Keep reading to learn more about Hawaii's car insurance laws, programs, and the best ways to get low-cost premiums.

Hawaii Car Insurance Requirements

To comply with Hawaii law, your car insurance policy must include:

• Liability coverage.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Hawaii is considered a no-fault state. This means that when you are in an accident, you will automatically be covered for your injuries and any injuries suffered by your passengers, up to your policy's limits.

This type of no-fault car insurance is personal injury protection, most commonly referred to as “PIP."

Hawaii requires no-fault insurance as a way to limit lawsuits for car accidents to only those that involve very serious injuries.

In Hawaii, the required minimum PIP limit is $10,000.

Liability Insurance

Being a no-fault state does not mean that fault is taken completely out of the equation after a car accident. PIP only covers injury, and only up to certain limits.

Since accident fault is still considered in Hawaii, law requires you to have liability insurance to help pay for injuries or property damage to the other party in an accident you cause.

Your liability insurance must meet the following minimum coverage requirements per accident:

• $20,000 for bodily injury, per person.
• $40,000 for total bodily injury if multiple people are injured.
• $10,000 for property damage.

Optional Coverage

Drivers often find that the Hawaii's minimum car insurance requirements do not provide as much financial protection as they would like.

If you feel that you could benefit from more insurance, consider these common optional car insurance coverages:

• Collision* – This will help with damages to your car in case of a traffic accident.
• Comprehensive* – This coverage helps with damages to your car resulting from several types of incidents that do not involve traffic accidents, such as weather, fire, and theft.
• Uninsured motorist** – While car insurance is mandatory in Hawaii, there are still several drivers who disobey the law and drive uninsured. This coverage will help you when you are involved in an accident with one of these drivers.
• Underinsured motorist** – Often lumped in with uninsured motorist, this will help you when you are in an accident caused by a driver who does not have enough insurance to pay for your costs.

* Loan and lease agreements typically require you to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage.

** Your insurance company must offer uninsured/underinsured coverage. You have the option to decline.

Proof of Insurance

In Hawaii, you are required to carry a car insurance identification card in your car at all times.

If you are caught without your insurance ID card, you face traffic tickets and fines.

Hawaii Joint Underwriting Plan

Drivers who show a history of poor driving may be seen by insurance companies as too high-risk to insure. Insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage to a driver to whom they feel they will have to pay out expensive claims.

If you can't find car insurance from a private company, you may be able to obtain car insurance through Hawaii's joint underwriting plan. Through this plan, all car insurance companies in Hawaii must share the risk of covering drivers insured through the plan.

You can ask any insurance agent about how to apply through the plan.

Other Car Insurance Issues

If you have concerns or issues regarding car insurance in Hawaii, you may be able to receive assistance from the Hawaii Insurance Division.

Through the Division, you can also:

• Request help with a complaint.
• Report suspected car insurance fraud.

Consumer Complaints

If you have a dispute or complaint that you cannot settle with your auto insurance company, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Division.

To file a complaint, complete a Complaint/Inquiry Form and mail it to:

Hawaii Insurance Division
Compliance and Enforcement Branch
P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811

Insurance Fraud

Insurance companies lose huge sums of money every year due to car insurance fraud. These losses get handed down to you through increases in premiums.

You can help by reporting any suspected fraud to the Insurance Division.

Car insurance fraud often involves:

• Staging car accidents.
• Lying about injuries.
• Lying about the cost of damages and repairs.

Insurance fraud can be committed by anyone. Even doctors and mechanics can be guilty.

If you suspect car insurance fraud, you can report it:

• By phone at (808) 597-7416.
• By mail by sending a completed Suspected Fraudulent Claim Referral Form (Form IFIB SFC1) to:

Hawaii Insurance Division
Insurance Fraud Investigation Branch
P.O. Box 3614
Honolulu, HI 96811

Determining Your HI Car Insurance Rates

Premium rates in Hawaii are affected by several factors.

As you shop around and compare car insurance quotes, keep in mind that the following will factor into your premium:

• Your driving record.
• Your age.
• Your gender.
• Your car's:
  • Make.
  • Model.
  • Year.
• Where your car is primarily parked.
• Deductibles:
  • This is the amount you must pay towards a claim before your insurance kicks in.
  • You can elect to increase your deductibles to lower your premium.

HI Car Insurance Discounts

If you are looking to save on car insurance, take advantage of any discount for which you qualify.

Common car insurance discounts include:

• Good driver.
• Good student.
• Anti-theft device.
• Safety device.

When comparison-shopping for car insurance, remember to check with several different insurance companies, as they will weigh certain factors differently and their discount offerings will likely vary. But also remember that your best bet for cheap car insurance in Hawaii is a good driving history.

Hawaii Car Insurance FAQs

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, liability auto insurance follows the car, while personal injury protection (PIP) follows the driver.

What car insurance is required in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires both liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, also known as no-fault insurance. The minimum PIP coverage requirement is $10,000; your liability minimums are $20,000 for bodily injury for an individual, $40,000 total coverage for an accident, and $10,000 for property damage.

Do you need proof of insurance to register a car in Hawaii?

Yes, you need proof of HI insurance to register a vehicle in Hawaii.

What happens if you don't have car insurance in Hawaii?

If you're caught without car insurance in Hawaii, your registration will be suspended, and you must surrender your license plates. You may also be subject to additional fines.

What happens if someone else is driving my car and gets in an accident in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, if someone else was driving your car and gets into an accident, their PIP insurance and your liability insurance will cover any injuries or property damage. This is true as long as they were driving your vehicle with permission.