Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

For new and renewal policies effective on or after January 1, 2026, Hawaii requires liability coverage of at least $40,000 per person and $80,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage (40/80/20), replacing the former 20/40/10 minimums. Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $10,000 per person for the insured's own medical and rehabilitation costs regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage at the bodily injury liability limits unless a named insured rejects it in writing. A vehicle must be insured throughout its registration period.

Question 2

Is Hawaii a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii is a no-fault state: each driver's insurer pays injury costs for the insured and passengers up to the PIP limit, regardless of fault, and the no-fault rules apply to injuries, not vehicle or property damage (the at-fault driver remains responsible for property damage). Tort liability for injuries is abolished except where the accident causes death, a significant permanent loss of use of a body part or function, a permanent and serious disfigurement causing mental or emotional suffering, or injuries for which PIP benefits incurred equal or exceed $5,000. In any bodily injury recovery, the award is reduced by $5,000 or the PIP benefits incurred, whichever is greater (the "covered loss deductible").

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Policies on vehicles registered or principally garaged in Hawaii must include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the policy's bodily injury liability limits (at least $40,000/$80,000) unless a named insured rejects it in writing, and must include underinsured motorist coverage (which insurers offer at limits the insured may select). The Insurance Division says agents and insurers must advise policyholders of their UM and UIM options, including the right to decline in writing.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Insurers must issue a paper or electronic insurance identification card for each insured vehicle, showing the vehicle, policy number, insured and insurer names, and effective and expiration dates. The card must be in the vehicle or accessible on a mobile electronic device at all times and shown to a police officer on demand. Drivers can be ticketed and fined for operating without the required card, and an owner without insurance must surrender the registration and plates to the county.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

A conviction for not having a motor vehicle insurance policy carries a fine of $500 for a first offense and at least $2,000 for each subsequent offense within five years (the court may suspend the fine if the driver shows current insurance, or allow community service). In addition, the court must either suspend the driver's or registered owner's license (3 months for a first conviction, 1 year for a subsequent offense within five years) or require a nonrefundable insurance policy to be kept for six months. For repeat convictions within five years, the court may also impose up to 30 days in jail, suspension or revocation of the vehicle's plates, and impoundment or sale of the vehicle. Other violations of the motor vehicle insurance law carry fines of $100 to $5,000.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in Hawaii, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii requires drivers to furnish and maintain proof of financial responsibility (an SR-22-type filing) before relicensing after suspensions or revocations for certain offenses, including OVUII (impaired driving) and related offenses, reckless driving, driving while suspended, and at-fault moving violations in crashes causing injury, death or more than $3,000 in property damage. A first conviction within five years for driving without insurance does not trigger this requirement, and a license suspension under the no-insurance penalty statute does not require proof of financial responsibility.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Once a policy is issued, an insurer may cancel or refuse to renew only if the principal operator's license is suspended or revoked, premiums are not paid after reasonable demand, the policy has been in effect 60 days or less (for a reason not prohibited by law), or within a strict annual cap on nonrenewals (generally 2% of the insurer's policies per rating territory, with limited additions for new business). The insurer must mail written notice at least 30 days before a cancellation or nonrenewal takes effect (20 days for nonpayment), supported by a USPS certificate of mailing, and keep coverage in force during that period. An insurer may not refuse to continue a policy based solely on race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length of driving experience, marital status, residence or physical handicap.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

Hawaii bans basing any auto insurance standard or rating plan, directly or indirectly, on race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length of driving experience, credit bureau rating, marital status or physical handicap; courts have applied this to underwriting as well as rates. The Insurance Division lists driving record, claims history, where the car is kept, vehicle type, coverage selections and annual mileage as factors insurers consider.

Question 9

How do you transfer a car title in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

When a vehicle is sold, the seller and buyer sign the certificate of ownership (title) in ink with their addresses; giving false information carries a $500-$1,000 fine. The buyer must submit the endorsed title to the county director of finance within 30 calendar days (60 days if the lienholder has no office in Hawaii) or pay a $50 late fee; until the county issues new certificates, the transfer is not complete. A non-dealer seller must give the county notice of the transfer within 10 days on the official form (fine up to $100). For transfers by inheritance or operation of law, the personal representative or other representative signs the title. In the City and County of Honolulu, the buyer brings the endorsed title, the last registration and a current Hawaii safety inspection certificate to a satellite city hall; the transfer fee is $10 within 30 days, plus a $50 penalty if late.

Question 10

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in Hawaii?

Accepted Answer

The Hawaii Insurance Division encourages consumers to first speak with an investigator at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222), 7:45 AM-4:30 PM Hawaii time, Monday-Friday. Formal complaints can be filed through the Division's Online Complaint Form (https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=HI).

Minimum coverage required	For new and renewal policies effective on or after January 1, 2026, Hawaii requires liability coverage of at least $40,000 per person and $80,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage (40/80/20), replacing the former 20/40/10 minimums. Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $10,000 per person for the insured's own medical and rehabilitation costs regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage at the bodily injury liability limits unless a named insured rejects it in writing. A vehicle must be insured throughout its registration period. Statute: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0010C-0301.htm . The Insurance Division's Motor Vehicle Insurance Information web page (https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/consumers-mvi/) still lists the old 20/40/10 minimums. Source: Hawaii Insurance Division, FAQ: Auto Insurance Minimum Limits (2026); Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-301(b)
At-fault or no-fault	Hawaii is a no-fault state: each driver's insurer pays injury costs for the insured and passengers up to the PIP limit, regardless of fault, and the no-fault rules apply to injuries, not vehicle or property damage (the at-fault driver remains responsible for property damage). Tort liability for injuries is abolished except where the accident causes death, a significant permanent loss of use of a body part or function, a permanent and serious disfigurement causing mental or emotional suffering, or injuries for which PIP benefits incurred equal or exceed $5,000. In any bodily injury recovery, the award is reduced by $5,000 or the PIP benefits incurred, whichever is greater (the "covered loss deductible"). Covered loss deductible: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0010C-0301_0005.htm ; Division page: https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/consumers-mvi/ Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 431:10C-306, 431:10C-301.5; Hawaii Insurance Division, Motor Vehicle Insurance Information
Uninsured motorist coverage	Policies on vehicles registered or principally garaged in Hawaii must include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at the policy's bodily injury liability limits (at least $40,000/$80,000) unless a named insured rejects it in writing, and must include underinsured motorist coverage (which insurers offer at limits the insured may select). The Insurance Division says agents and insurers must advise policyholders of their UM and UIM options, including the right to decline in writing. The Division's web page describes minimum UM/UIM purchase amounts of $20,000 per person, which reflect the pre-2026 minimums: https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/consumers-mvi/ Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-301(b)(3)-(4); Hawaii Insurance Division, Motor Vehicle Insurance Information
Proof of insurance	Insurers must issue a paper or electronic insurance identification card for each insured vehicle, showing the vehicle, policy number, insured and insurer names, and effective and expiration dates. The card must be in the vehicle or accessible on a mobile electronic device at all times and shown to a police officer on demand. Drivers can be ticketed and fined for operating without the required card, and an owner without insurance must surrender the registration and plates to the county. Division page: https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/consumers-mvi/ Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-107; Hawaii Insurance Division, Motor Vehicle Insurance Information

Cancellation and nonrenewal	Once a policy is issued, an insurer may cancel or refuse to renew only if the principal operator's license is suspended or revoked, premiums are not paid after reasonable demand, the policy has been in effect 60 days or less (for a reason not prohibited by law), or within a strict annual cap on nonrenewals (generally 2% of the insurer's policies per rating territory, with limited additions for new business). The insurer must mail written notice at least 30 days before a cancellation or nonrenewal takes effect (20 days for nonpayment), supported by a USPS certificate of mailing, and keep coverage in force during that period. An insurer may not refuse to continue a policy based solely on race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length of driving experience, marital status, residence or physical handicap. Grounds: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0010C-0111.htm ; nonrenewal cap: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol09_Ch0431-0435H/HRS0431/HRS_0431-0010C-0111_0005.htm Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 431:10C-111, 431:10C-111.5, 431:10C-112
What insurers can use to set rates	Hawaii bans basing any auto insurance standard or rating plan, directly or indirectly, on race, creed, ethnic extraction, age, sex, length of driving experience, credit bureau rating, marital status or physical handicap; courts have applied this to underwriting as well as rates. The Insurance Division lists driving record, claims history, where the car is kept, vehicle type, coverage selections and annual mileage as factors insurers consider. Division FAQ: https://cca.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Auto-Insurance-FAQs-1.pdf Source: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 431:10C-207; Hawaii Insurance Division, Auto Insurance FAQs
Complaints about an insurer	The Hawaii Insurance Division encourages consumers to first speak with an investigator at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222), 7:45 AM-4:30 PM Hawaii time, Monday-Friday. Formal complaints can be filed through the Division's Online Complaint Form (https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=HI). Source: Hawaii Insurance Division, Filing a Complaint

Hawaii Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for Hawaii

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

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