We researched top companies to find a provider you can count on.
Because the cost of living is higher in the Aloha State, you might naturally think that the premiums for car insurance in Hawaii also skyrocket, but that’s not the case. Hawaii has fairly average car insurance premiums when compar2ed to other states. The trick is in finding the best car insurance provider.
We recently evaluated the best car insurance companies and found several that provide great coverage for drivers in Hawaii. To determine who offers the best Hawaii car insurance, we looked at several criteria, including coverage options, business reputation, and customer service.
Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.
Use our tool below to start comparing personalized Hawaii car insurance quotes:
In this article:
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In Hawaii
According to our rate estimates, State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Hawaii with an average annual rate of $992.
USAA is the second cheapest option in the state with an average annual rate of $1017.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Annual Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $992 |
| USAA | $1017 |
| Farmers | $1464 |
| Island Insurance Co. | $1471 |
| Allstate | $1486 |
| Progressive | $1500 |
How Much Does Hawaii Car Insurance Cost?
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the cost of Hawaii car insurance was $829 in 2018, while the national average was $1,056. Overall, car insurance rates in Hawaii are lower on average than insurance in 36 other states.
Here’s a breakdown of the coverage costs that year based on data from the Insurance Information Institute:
| Type Of Coverage | Average Annual Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Liability coverage | $479 |
| Collision coverage | $358 |
| Comprehensive coverage | $108 |
| Total Cost | $829 |
*Most drivers carry liability coverage but not necessarily other types of auto insurance. Total average annual expenditure measures what Hawaii drivers actually spent on auto insurance in 2018.
Annual Hawaii Car Insurance Estimates By Age
Age is usually a huge factor in how much car insurance costs, but for Hawaii, the average annual car insurance rate for 25-year-olds and 35-year-olds are equal.
| Age | Hawaii Annual Car Insurance |
|---|---|
| 24 | $1254 |
| 35 | $1254 |
Annual Hawaii Car Insurance Estimates By Gender
Men and women may pay nearly the same annual rate for car insurance. Gender can also have an influence on the cost of auto insurance in most states, but not for male and female drivers in Hawaii.
| Gender | Hawaii Annual Car Insurance |
|---|---|
| Female | $1254 |
| Male | $1254 |
Annual Hawaii Car Insurance Estimates For Bad Drivers
Good drivers can pay much less for car insurance in Hawaii than bad drivers. Having a speeding ticket can increase your car insurance rate by up to 19 percent, an accident by up to 42 percent, and a DUI by up to 246 percent.
| Driving Record | Hawaii Annual Car Insurance |
|---|---|
| Clean | $1254 |
| Speeding Ticket | $1490 |
| At-Fault Accident | $1778 |
| DUI | $4337 |
Best Providers Of Car Insurance: Hawaii
When you get car insurance in Hawaii, you want the best. That's why we recommend getting quotes from several insurance companies to find the one that fits your needs.
To help you make the best decision, we looked at some of the nation's top car insurance providers and evaluated them based on factors such as availability, cost, and reputation. Here is what we found during our research.
| Best Hawaii Car Insurance | Motor1 Rating | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
4.5 |
N/A |
|
|
4.5 |
$992 |
|
|
5.0 |
$1017 |
|
|
4.5 |
$1500 |
*Not all companies were included in our rate estimates for each state. You may also notice that some car insurance companies are listed above those with higher star ratings. This is because our ratings take into account nationwide factors, while our ranking for this article looks specifically at what insurance providers are best for Hawaii car insurance.
#1 Geico Car Insurance: Our Top Pick
You may know Geico mainly for the commercials with the gecko, but the company provides some exceptional coverage plans, too. In addition to standard coverages, Geico offers the following Hawaii car insurance plans:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
|
Mechanical Breakdown Coverage |
This plan covers all the mechanical parts of a new car until it is either 15 months old or has been driven 15,000 miles. Coverage can be renewed for up to 7 years or 100,000 miles but cannot be used for regular maintenance. |
|
Emergency Roadside Assistance |
For an additional fee, you can add this coverage, which provides towing, lockout services, battery charging, and fuel delivery. |
|
Auto Repair Xpress |
After an accident, the claims adjuster meets you at the shop to explain the process and answer questions. The adjuster also helps you secure your rental car (if you have that coverage) before you leave the repair facility. |
|
Rideshare Insurance |
If you drive for a rideshare company such as Lyft or Uber, or a delivery service, you can receive coverage for your vehicle personally and commercially. While not available in every state, Hawaii is one of the lucky ones. |
As far as reputation and reliability is concerned, many industry leaders recommend Geico auto insurance. The provider has a superior financial rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Although not specifically targeted at Hawaiian drivers, J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and its Auto Claims Satisfaction Study both ranked Geico highly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Superior financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB | Average quotes experience |
| Many choices for coverage | Usage-based app not available in all states |
| High level of customer satisfaction | |
| Available in 50 states |
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our review of Geico.
#2 State Farm Car Insurance: Runner-Up
State Farm is the largest provider of car insurance in the nation and one of our top recommendations for Hawaii car insurance. It has an A+ rating from the BBB and ranked highly on the same two J.D. Power studies for auto insurance and auto claims satisfaction.
In addition to the normal levels of coverage, you will find these options available to all drivers:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
|
Rental Car and Travel Expense Coverage |
If your vehicle is in the shop due to an accident, you can receive rental car reimbursement. If you are traveling, the plan also handles your lodging and meals. |
|
Drive Safe & Save™ |
With this usage-based program, discounts are calculated based on your actual mileage in conjunction with your safe-driving measures. To qualify, you must allow State Farm to monitor your driving. |
|
Steer Clear Driving Program |
State Farm provides a driver training refresher course online, on the app, and through agents. Once this course is taken, drivers qualify for discounts. The program is available for anyone 25 years old or younger that hasn’t had an at-fault accident or moving violation for 3 years. |
|
Rideshare Insurance |
If you drive for Lyft or Uber, you can get coverage for your personal and commercial usage on one policy. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive coverage offerings are available in 48 states | Reported errors with autopay |
| Many discounts for teens and students | Not taking new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island |
| Positive customer reviews | Higher rates than some competitors |
| Easy online quotes process | |
| Superior financial strength rating and A+ rating from the BBB |
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our State Farm insurance review.
#3 USAA Car Insurance
USAA car insurance is only available to military members and their families. That being said, USAA was the only provider in our research that we ranked 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. If you qualify for coverage, it’s definitely worth a look. USAA offers some competitive options and is regularly regarded as one of the most affordable insurance providers.
Along with standard coverages for Hawaii car insurance, you will find:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
|
Financial Protection |
With this coverage, your nest egg is protected, even if you cause an accident. |
|
With this optional coverage, you receive service for flat tires, dead batteries, towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services. |
|
|
For a small cost, you can add this coverage to ensure your rates don’t rise after an accident. |
|
|
Rental Reimbursement |
During the time that your vehicle is in the shop, you can receive reimbursement on your rental car. |
|
If your vehicle is considered a total loss and it is financed, you want this protection to cover the difference between what the car is worth and what you owe. |
|
|
Car Replacement Assistance (CRA) |
This plan pays out 20 percent more than what your vehicle is worth in a total loss situation. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable rates and numerous discounts | Only available for military and their families |
| A good option for military members | |
| Superior financial strength rating and A- rating from the BBB |
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our USAA insurance review.
#4 Progressive Car Insurance
We think Progressive is another great choice for car insurance in Hawaii. The popular provider has an easy-to-use price comparison tool that makes the quotes process a breeze. You can even compare Progressive rates to those of other providers.
In addition to standard coverages offered by most car insurance companies, you also have access to the following with Progressive.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
|
Rental Reimbursement |
Progressive covers you for rental cars when your vehicle is in the repair shop with collision and comprehensive policies. You can choose from coverage of $30, $40, or $50 per day for up to 30 days. |
|
Roadside Assistance |
You can add this coverage without having a collision or comprehensive policy. It includes towing to a qualified repair facility. |
|
Loan/Lease Payoff |
If you total your financed or leased vehicle, this coverage pays up to 25 percent more to cover the financing agreement. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| One of the top auto insurers in the United States | Average claims process |
| Superior financial strength rating and A- rating from the BBB | Mixed customer service reviews |
| A great choice for high-risk drivers | Higher rates than some competitors |
| Several money-saving features and easy quotes process |
To learn more about the car insurance provider, check out our full Progressive insurance review.
Minimum Requirements For Car Insurance: Hawaii
When it comes to the required coverage limit in Hawaii, you will notice that the minimums are lower than in several other states. Here are the requirements on the Big Island and beyond:
| Coverage | Amount Required |
|---|---|
|
Bodily injury liability per person |
$20,000 |
|
Bodily injury liability per accident |
$40,000 |
|
Property damage liability per accident |
$10,000 |
|
Personal injury protection |
$10,000 |
Bodily injury liability refers to the coverage that pays for injuries you cause to other people. This includes other drivers, passengers in other vehicles, and pedestrians. It covers lost wages, medical expenses, legal fees, and sometimes funeral expenses for those people when you cause an accident.
Property damage liability refers to the coverage that pays for damage caused to other owners’ cars and property when you are at fault for a car accident. This coverage includes buildings and fences but not your own vehicle or property.
Personal injury protection (PIP) is the coverage for your medical expenses and lost wages. This policy isn’t based on who is at fault. Some states don’t require this option at all, but $10,000 worth of coverage is mandated in Hawaii.
In addition to these required plans, owners of financed or leased vehicles might also be required by the bank to have comprehensive and collision coverage. It is recommended to add uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection too, but neither is mandatory.
What Affects Car Insurance Rates?
When you reach out for insurance quotes, car insurance companies consider a number of different things. These can include:
Depending on what state you reside in, mandatory coverage limits vary. Each state mandates the amount of insurance drivers must have. The states that require higher bodily injury liability coverage also see larger insurance premiums because of this additional coverage. Some states even require more extensive coverage, such as personal injury protection, which also impacts insurance rates.
Driving In Hawaii
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that the average Hawaiian puts 11,583 miles per year on their vehicle, which is lower than the national average of 13,476 miles.
However, according to an annual highway report analyzing the nation’s roadways, Hawaii ranked near the bottom as one of the worst states to drive in. The state’s roads often have ruts, potholes, and cracks that can easily damage vehicles. These factors play into the overall car insurance rates in Hawaii.
Another aspect that increases Hawaii car insurance prices is the young age at which teenagers can drive. In Hawaii, a teen only needs to be 15 years old to get a learner’s permit. Then, between the ages of 16 and 18, teens can apply for a provisional license, which no longer requires parental supervision. Once the teen reaches 17, it’s possible to get a full license and remove all restrictions, as long as they have finished a year of driving without any incidents.
On the bright side, Hawaii has a low rate of fatal crashes and deaths.
Hawaii Is A No-Fault Insurance State
Because Hawaii is a no-fault insurance state, your insurance provider will cover your medical expenses and those of your passengers no matter who caused the accident. The person who caused the accident may not be sued, unless serious injuries were incurred.
No-fault insurance coverage only applies to injuries, not property damage. The minimum coverage for personal injury protection in Hawaii, which is used in this instance, is only $10,000. That wouldn’t cover much if a trip to the emergency room is required, so you may want to purchase an insurance policy with more coverage.
Getting The Best Rates For Car Insurance In Hawaii
Whether you are getting a Hawaii car insurance policy for the first time or you are looking to switch providers, you always want to shop around for car insurance. It might take a little time to compare coverage from different providers, but if you can find a cheaper rate or better coverage, the time will be well spent.
If you do this every time you are up for renewal, you ensure that you always have the best coverage. Use our tool below to start comparing Hawaii car insurance quotes:
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
- Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services, and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.
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