Best Car Insurance in Hawaii

Last Updated on May 11, 2021

Everything tends to be more expensive in Hawaii, but car insurance is actually cheaper in Hawaii compared to the mainland.

The average driver in Hawaii pays around $1,336 per year for full coverage car insurance, or around $100 less per year than the average American, who pays $1,450 per year. 

Best Car Insurance in HawaiiDrivers in Hawaii can save even more on car insurance by taking advantage of discounts, shopping around for car insurance, and choosing the best provider for their unique needs.

What are the best auto insurance companies in Hawaii? What unique car insurance requirements does the State of Hawaii have? Continue reading below to learn all you need to know about finding auto insurance in Hawaii.

Table of Contents:

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Hawaii

Drivers in Hawaii have similar options for car insurance as drivers in the rest of the United States. You can choose large, nationwide providers like GEICO and State Farm. You can also work with smaller, regional providers.

We requested quotes for multiple driver profiles at each of the following companies to determine the best car insurance in Hawaii:

  1. USAA: Thousands of Hawaii residents are active duty or retired members of the military, in which case you may qualify for USAA membership. USAA members can get discounted rates on car insurance, and USAA car insurance is frequently among the best in the nation for value, claims satisfaction, and customer service. In Hawaii, the average USAA policyholder can pay around $921 per year for full coverage car insurance.
  2. State Farm: State Farm is the largest property insurance company in the United States, and it’s no surprise they have a strong presence in Hawaii. State Farm has cheaper-than-average rates on all the islands of Hawaii, charging around $968 per year for full coverage car insurance.
  3. GEICO: GEICO trails only State Farm as America’s second-largest insurance company. Thousands of drivers in Hawaii buy car insurance through GEICO. With rates of around $993 per year, on average, according to our model driver profiles, GEICO is one of the most affordable options in the state.
  4. Island Insurance: Island Insurance is the only insurer on this list based in Hawaii. The Honolulu-based company has been serving families and businesses across Hawaii for over 70 years. Today, Island Insurance is the state’s largest locally-owned and managed home and auto insurance company. Rates are priced at around $1,021 per year with Island Insurance, making the company competitive with some of its larger competitors on this list.
  5. Allstate: Another large and well-known insurance company available across the country, Allstate insures drivers all over Hawaii. The average Allstate policy is priced at around $1,101 per year for full coverage car insurance.
  6. Farmers: Farmers is one of the top 10 largest insurance companies in the United States. Farmers offers service similar to what you get with GEICO, State Farm, and other nationwide giants: strong amenities and plenty of experience, all while offering competitive rates of around $1,122 per year.
  7. Progressive: Available in all areas of Hawaii, Progressive charges competitive prices for minimum liability insurance policies and full coverage policies alike. Progressive rates are priced at around $1,132 per year, according to the average quotes provided to our model driver profiles.
  8. Nationwide: Nationwide was founded in 1926 as Farm Bureau Mutual. Today, the company is one of America’s largest auto insurers. Nationwide policyholders in Hawaii pay average rates of approximately $1,152 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to our model driver profiles.
  9. First Insurance Company of Hawaii: First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) is dedicated to serving Hawaii residents. The company is a subsidiary of Tokio Marine Group, an international insurance company. Expect to pay average annual premiums of around $1,523 per year with First Insurance Company of Hawaii.
  10. Liberty Mutual: Liberty Mutual is rarely the cheapest option in any state, but the company offers strong auto insurance service with high rates of claims satisfaction. In Hawaii, Liberty Mutual policies are priced at around $1,401 per year, with discounts available to drop the price further.

Hawaii Insurance Requirements

Hawaii, like most other states, requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance to legally drive on public roads. You must provide proof of coverage to a law enforcement officer upon request. Failing to carry car insurance will lead to penalties.

You must have a minimum car insurance plan with 20/40/10 liability coverage in Hawaii. Your policy must also have personal injury protection to cover certain medical bills. Overall, your policy must include all of the following coverages:

  • $20,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $40,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $10,000 of property damage liability coverage
  • $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage per person

If you are leasing or financing your vehicle, then you may be required to carry additional car insurance. The minimum premiums above are the amounts required by the state – not by lenders, banks, or dealerships.

Driving Without Insurance in Hawaii

It’s illegal to drive uninsured in Hawaii, and uninsured drivers face costly penalties. In fact, Hawaii has some of the strictest uninsured driving laws in the United States.

Penalties vary in severity depending on the number of uninsured driving offenses:

First Offense: $500 fine (or 75 to 100 hours of community service in lieu of fine), 3-month license suspension (or until proof of insurance is provided), and 3 years of SR-22 requirements.

Second Offense: $1,500 to $5,000 fine (or 200 to 275 hours of community service in lieu of fine), 1-year license suspension (or until proof of insurance is provided), and 3 years of SR-22 requirements for each offense.

Third & Subsequent Offenses (Within 5 Years): $1,500 to $5,000 fine (or 200 to 275 hours of community service in lieu of fine), suspension or revocation of vehicle registration and license plates, 1-year license suspension (or until proof of insurance is provided), maximum of 30 days imprisonment, and 3-years of SR-22 requirements for each offense.

You are required to provide proof of insurance after an accident or when prompted by a law enforcement officer.

Car Insurance in Hawaii with DUI

Getting a DUI will raise car insurance premiums in every state, including Hawaii. If you have a DUI, however, then you can still shop around to find cheap car insurance premiums – especially if your driving record is otherwise clean.

The best car insurance companies in Hawaii for drivers with a DUI or similar offense include:

  • State Farm: $1,502 per year
  • GEICO: $1,513 per year
  • Island Insurance: $1,634 per year
  • Allstate: $1,666 per year
  • Progressive: $1,768 per year

Car Insurance in Hawaii with At-Fault Accidents

Insurers in Hawaii check your driving record to calculate rates. Drivers with one or more at-fault accidents will always pay higher rates for car insurance than drivers with a clean record. Consider requesting a quote from the following insurers if you have an at-fault accident on your record, as they charge comparatively cheap rates even with one or more accidents on your record:

  • GEICO: $1,423 per year
  • State Farm: $1,429 per year
  • Island Insurance: $1,514 per year
  • Allstate: $1,516 per year
  • Progressive: $1,641 per year

Car Insurance in Hawaii with Speeding Tickets

If you have one or more speeding tickets in Hawaii, then your car insurance rates may rise. Most insurers raise rates slightly after one or more speeding convictions. However, some insurers ignore minor speeding tickets or charge cheap rates even with a speeding ticket.

The best car insurance companies in Hawaii for drivers with a speeding ticket include:

  • GEICO: $1,013 per year
  • State Farm: $1,123 per year
  • Island Insurance: $1,231 per year
  • Allstate: $1,249 per year
  • Progressive: $1,268 per year

Car Insurance in Hawaii for Young Drivers

Every year, young drivers in Hawaii cause more accidents than drivers in other age groups. As a young driver in Hawaii, you’re the riskiest driver to insure because of your age, which means you’ll pay higher insurance premiums.

The best car insurance companies in Hawaii for young drivers include:

  • GEICO: $1,413 per year
  • State Farm: $1,421 per year
  • Island Insurance: $1,614 per year
  • Allstate: $1,619 per year
  • Progressive: $1,662 per year

Car Insurance in Hawaii with Poor Credit

Hawaii is one of three states that prohibits insurers from using credit scores to calculate car insurance premiums.

In most states, insurance companies can use credit scores to calculate insurance premiums. Drivers with a bad credit score pay significantly more for car insurance than drivers with a good credit score.

If you have a bad credit score or no credit score, then it should not impact your premiums. To compensate for this, insurance companies in Hawaii put a heavy emphasis on driving history. Drivers with multiple at-fault accidents and DUIs may pay significantly higher rates for car insurance regardless of their credit score.

The best car insurance companies in Hawaii for drivers with poor credit or other risk factors include:

  • GEICO: $1,113 per year
  • State Farm: $1,202 per year
  • Island Insurance: $1,269 per year
  • Allstate: $1,366 per year
  • Progressive: $1,375 per year

SR-22 Insurance in Hawaii

Hawaii, like other states, uses the SR-22 system to manage high-risk drivers. The SR-22 is a certificate proving that a high-risk driver has the legal minimum required car insurance in Hawaii.

If you have multiple driving offenses on your record in Hawaii, then the state may suspend your driving privileges until you submit an SR-22 certificate.

Most insurers will file an SR-22 certificate on your behalf. You pay a filing fee of $15 to $50, depending on your insurer.

As a high-risk driver, you’ll pay more for SR-22 insurance than other drivers. Some drivers may also need to work with specialty insurers or high-risk providers.

For most driving offenses, you need to carry SR-22 insurance for three years. If your insurance lapses during this time, then the insurer will report you to the state. If you maintain a clean record for three years, then you can resume buying ordinary car insurance in Hawaii without filing an SR-22 certificate.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Hawaii

It’s easy to find affordable auto insurance coverage in Hawaii. In fact, many drivers are surprised to discover how cheap car insurance can be in Hawaii. With fewer roads, lower population density, and other advantages, Hawaii car insurance is relatively affordable compared to the mainland.

By comparing quotes online, you can drop the price of car insurance in Hawaii even further. Compare quotes online today to find the best car insurance for your unique needs in Hawaii.