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The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Hawaii is $1,308 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Hawaii will leave you with an average cost of $1,819 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Hawaii
Your car insurance rates could be dramatically different based on your zip code, age, driving history, and other factors. This can make finding the best rates for car insurance a complicated process. And that’s where Jerry comes in handy.
Here are some real quotes and savings from customers in Hawaii who switched with Jerry:
The cheapest car insurance quotes in Hawaii come from companies like Progressive, USAA, State Farm, and GEICO. Island Insurance is another hugely popular company for car owners in Hawaii. But those aren’t the only auto insurance companies worth looking at in Hawaii—here’s why.
Every insurance company uses a different methodology to calculate your annual premium. Because so many factors go into determining your rate—from your driving history and vehicle type to your marital status, annual mileage, and coverage limits—it’s impossible to name a single insurance company that has the best rates for all Hawaiian drivers.
Let’s say you’re a great driver with low annual mileage. Maybe you’re getting a great rate from GEICO by bundling your auto policy with renters insurance on your Honolulu apartment. But your friend from Hilo who’s a homeowner with a speeding ticket, a long commute to work, and two teen drivers on her policy might find that Allstate has the lowest quotes for her profile.
Hawaii’s average car insurance rates are below the national average—but it can still be expensive to buy auto insurance coverage in the Aloha State. There are a few reasons for this:
Island roads can get crowded during rush hour, leading to high accident rates
Hawaii has some of the highest rates of car theft in the country
Nearly 10% of Hawaiian drivers are uninsured or underinsured, which raises rates across the board
On the other hand, many Hawaii residents don’t drive as much as people in the contiguous states. This can lower rates overall.
Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about car insurance in Hawaii.
What are the car insurance requirements in Hawaii?
Like most states, Hawaii requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance before they get on the road. This coverage includes $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $10,000 per accident in property damage liability.
How much insurance do I need in Hawaii?
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In Hawaii, minimum insurance requirements are $20,000 for bodily injury liability per person, $40,000 of bodily injury liability for each accident, and $10,000 of property liability for each accident. These minimum requirements are known as the 20/40/10 rule. You will also need the required personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
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If you get pulled over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is Hawaii a no-fault state?
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Yes, Hawaii is a no-fault state. This means you must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage which immediately pays for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for the accident or if you have health insurance. However, fault, or liability, is still a factor for property damage and bodily injury claims.
Hawaii only requires liability car insurance, which protects other drivers (and your wallet!) in the event of a car accident. But it won’t pay for any of your medical expenses, and you won’t be able to submit a claim for damage to your vehicle if you only carry the state minimum coverage.
Cheap car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Hawaii
How you drive impacts your car insurance premiums. If you have a serious driving violation like a DUI or reckless driving charge, or if you simply have a lot of traffic tickets, you could be labeled a “high-risk driver” by your insurance provider. (Spoiler: high-risk drivers pay higher rates.)
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable insurance! Jerry works with drivers who have past infractions to find them the best rates on car insurance. See for yourself in the table below:
Teen drivers in Hawaii have some of the lowest rates for teenagers in the nation—because insurance companies in Hawaii are not allowed to set premiums based on age. In addition, Hawaii ranks 12th in the nation for teenage driver safety, making teenage drivers in Hawaii some of the safest in the U.S.
Still, you may see different rates at different ages based on driving experience, annual mileage, driving record, and other factors. Because young drivers typically have less experience, they’re more likely to have a higher rate.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Hawaii?
Earn a discount based on your sorority or fraternity membership
Good drivers at any age can earn insurance discounts by maintaining a clean driving record.
Average cost of auto insurance in Hawaii by city
Hawaii is one of the only states where car insurance rates don’t vary considerably based on your location. That’s because risk factors like flooding, hurricanes, and heavy traffic are fairly evenly distributed across cities. Honolulu insurance costs are roughly representative of rates in other towns and cities.
Here’s a more specific breakdown of insurance prices for Jerry users across Hawaii:
On the other hand, Kapaa is the least expensive city in Hawaii for car insurance. Annual car insurance costs in Enterprise will cost you a low annual average of $497.
City With Highest Rates of Accidents in Hawaii
Honolulu has the highest accident rates in Hawaii—9.55% of drivers have a prior at-fault accident already on their record, which is 1.05 times greater than the state average. Living in a high-accident area means higher insurance rates.
Makaha has the longest commute time in Hawaii at 48.3 minutes, on average. Longer commute times and more traffic means a higher risk of filing a claim, not to mention the additional miles you’ll be adding to your vehicle—all of which raise premiums.
Average Hawaii car insurance rates by vehicle type
One of the biggest impacts on your car insurance premiums is the car that you drive. In general, cars that cost more will be more expensive to insure.
Let’s take a look at one of Hawaii’s favorite vehicles as an example. Hawaiians love their trucks, and the Toyota Tacoma has been one of the most popular vehicles in the state for many years. Insurance for pickup trucks is typically expensive, but Toyota Tacoma insurance costs are lower because of Toyota’s solid safety and reliability ratings—and because it’s a more affordable truck.
Conversely, Hawaii drivers who opt for a more expensive car—like a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited—will see higher insurance rates. This is in part because of the car’s higher starting price, but insurers also consider the car’s lower safety and reliability ratings because it means the car will require more repairs.
The most popular vehicle in Hawaii is the Nissan Frontier. The average Frontier driver pays $1,436 a year in car insurance, but Jerry users can find better rates for their vehicle.
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Hawaii?
Most states have minimum insurance requirements that you must meet to hit the road.
However, liability insurance coverage is just the minimum requirement, and it may not cover all your expenses in the event of an accident. While minimum liability insurance will be the cheapest policy, it’s generally suggested that drivers carry more than the baseline requirements and consider full-coverage insurance policies. Although full-coverage costs more upfront, purchasing more coverage can protect you from the financial burden of an expensive accident (aka, it could end up costing you less in the long run). Full-coverage car insurance policies generally include:
Liability coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage
Collision coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Purchasing more than the minimum required insurance is usually a good idea. While liability coverage protects others if you’re involved in an at-fault accident (and Hawaii is an at-fault state), it won’t protect your vehicle.
Considering these risk factors, here are some additional coverages that would serve drivers in Hawaii well:
Hawaii ranks 43rd for traffic and infrastructure, making it one of the worst states. High tourism rates can seriously affect traffic, and collision-based damages are much more likely as a result. Get collision coverage so you’re protected, no matter who’s at fault.
5,344 vehicles were stolen in Hawaii during 2020. To stay financially protected from vehicle theft and other non-collision damages such as weather damage, get comprehensive insurance.
9.30% of drivers in Hawaii are uninsured. If you’re in an accident with a liable uninsured driver, you might not get the financial protection you need. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can help.
Hawaii residents rate the state a 7.33/10 for road quality, which isn’t the most glowing review. Make sure you get roadside assistance to help with flats, towing, and more in the event that poor road conditions damage your tires or worse.
How to save money on car insurance in Hawaii
Hawaii insurance premiums are fairly affordable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save even more money!
Shop around for quotes
Comparing quotes from multiple companies is the most efficient way to save on your insurance requirements—but it can be time-consuming and confusing if you don’t have an insurance broker on your side.
And that’s where Jerry comes in. When you shop with Jerry, you can:
Find real-time quotes from actual insurance companies—not sponsored ads!
Work with an insurance agent instead of calling your insurance provider directly
Buy insurance without a single phone call
Rest assured that your personal information won’t be sold to a third party
On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on auto insurance! Whether you’re buying a full-coverage policy with personal injury protection and rental reimbursement or a liability-only policy, Jerry can find you the savings you need.
Look for discounts
Most car insurance companies offer discounts based on your payment history, driving record, professional memberships, loyalty, and more—but they won’t always advertise them! That’s why it’s important to do your research to look for the discounts that fit your profile (and Jerry can help with this!).
Here are some of the most popular ones for drivers in Hawaii:
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Having a clean driving record to your name speaks volumes. If you drive safely and don’t file insurance claims, your carrier will give you reduced prices.
Bundling Discounts
Car insurance customers who double up on their auto and home/renters insurance at the same company can get a bundling discount.
Continuously Insured Discounts
Drivers who stay continuously insured for more than six months are less likely to lapse on their insurance. Stay insured for six months and longer to get a slight discount.
Increase your deductible
If your auto insurance policy includes collision and/or comprehensive coverage, you have a deductible on that coverage that you must pay before your insurance kicks in. Common deductibles are $500 or $1,000.
But if you raise your deductible—to, say, $2,000—you’ll pay less month-to-month to maintain the policy. This is one of the easiest ways to lower your regular car insurance costs—if you can afford it!
Be careful when increasing your deductible. Choosing a deductible that’s higher than what you could reasonably pay out of pocket in the event of an accident is a recipe for financial disaster.