Hawaiians may not have as many choices as the continental U.S. when it comes to car insurance, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for second-rate car insurance companies. The options you do have are solid.
To bring you the best car insurance in Hawaii, we analyzed the most popular car insurance providers in the state, carefully reviewing important factors like customer satisfaction, coverage options, and affordability, as well as financial strength and available discounts. We found GEICO, USAA, State Farm, and Allstate to be the best car insurance providers in Hawaii. Other quality insurance companies, like Farmers, just missed the top spots.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Hawaii
| GEICO | USAA | State Farm | Allstate | |
| Our Review | Our Review | Our Review | Our Review | |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A++ | A | A+ |
| J.D. Power 2019 Overall Customer Satisfaction Score | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Annual Premium | $437 | $658 | $611 | $699 |
| Compare Rates | Compare Rates | Compare Rates | Compare Rates |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
GEICO
Pros
- Low annual premiums
- Fast and convenient auto repairs
Cons
- Below-average customer service
- No discounts for hybrid/electric cars
If you’re looking to keep your car insurance rates as low as possible, GEICO may be a good fit for you. GEICO came in first place on our list of the cheapest car insurance companies in Hawaii. Despite the low rates, GEICO customers still receive some strong perks, such as GEICO’s Auto Repair Xpress program. This system provides a convenient way to get your car repaired quickly after an accident so you can get back on the road.
There are just a couple of possible downsides to be aware of. One is the mediocre customer service. GEICO ranked just below average on the 2019 J.D. Power Overall Customer Claims Satisfaction Study, with a 3 out 5 rating. The fact that GEICO doesn’t currently offer a discount for hybrid or electric cars may also be a small downside for you.
USAA
Pros
- 5-star customer care
- All-in-one service
Cons
- Available only to military families
- Few physical locations
USAA is the only Hawaii car insurance company on our list with a perfect score on the 2019 J.D. Power Overall Customer Claims Satisfaction Study. And as a USAA customer, you have access to multiple services. In addition to its wide range of insurance coverage (including homeowners, renters, health, and life insurance), USAA also offers banking services, investment services, and even real estate services. This all-in-one service provides exceptional convenience.
Unfortunately, USAA is not available to everyone. Only military personnel and their families qualify for USAA insurance. You’re eligible for USAA if you’re in active duty, Guard or Reserve personnel, a veteran, a cadet, or a midshipman. Because USAA is available only to military members and families, there are fewer physical branches than some of the other insurance companies on our list. But since many people manage their car insurance online, this may not be much of a concern to you.
State Farm
Pros
- Affordable rates
- Modern conveniences
Cons
- No accident forgiveness
- Fewer discounts than competitors
State Farm gets high marks for providing modern conveniences at affordable rates. We appreciate that the long-standing State Farm has adapted its business to meet the needs of customers in the age of technology and gig work. The State Farm app allows you to easily make payments and monitor claims. And State Farm is serving Uber and Lyft drivers with rideshare coverage.
Just know that State Farm doesn’t currently offer accident forgiveness, so you won’t have protection against increased premiums following an accident. And while State Farm offers several standard discounts (such as safe driver discounts and multi-vehicle discounts), it doesn’t offer as many discounts as competitors like Allstate (which includes discounts for things like making payments on time and paying premiums in full).
Allstate
Pros
- Lots of discounts
- Simplified claims process
Cons
- High annual premiums
- Claims satisfaction guarantee not available in Hawaii
Allstate offers more discounts than the average car insurance company. In addition to discounts for car safety features and safe driving habits, you can earn discounts for responsible behaviors like getting good grades, paying your premiums on time through auto-pay, and going paperless. We also appreciate how simple Allstate makes it to file a claim 24/7, using its online claims processing system, mobile app, or toll-free phone number. You can even file a claim in person at any of the 17 physical office locations in Hawaii.
The downside to these discounts and the simplified claims process is the higher-than-normal annual premiums. But before you dismiss Allstate based on price, invest a few minutes in getting a personalized quote online. Another potential downside is that the claims satisfaction guarantee Allstate offers in several states is not available in Hawaii. The J.D. Power Overall Customer Claims Satisfaction rating indicates that you’ll likely be satisfied with your claims service, but there is no guarantee.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies In Hawaii
Average Annual Premium by Company
| Car Insurance Companies | Average Annual Premium |
| GEICO | $437 |
| State Farm | $611 |
| USAA | $658 |
| Allstate | $699 |
| Farmers Insurance | $794 |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
Average Annual Premium by Credit Tier
| Credit Rating Tier | Average Annual Premium |
| Poor | $755 |
| Below Fair | $703 |
| Fair | $658 |
| Average | $640 |
| Good | $624 |
| Excellent | $593 |
| Average Across Credit Rating Tier | $662 |
Quadrant car insurance rate data as of 07/01/2019.
The cheapest auto insurance companies in Hawaii are GEICO, State Farm, and USAA. The state of Hawaii has a lot to love, and car insurance rates are one of them, even if the cost of living isn’t. Given the small area of the islands, and fairly low population, rates are well below the national average. The islands also have very few highways making high-speed accidents, and thus a total loss, much less likely. All these reasons contribute to Hawaii having some of the lowest rates in the U.S.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Hawaii
- GEICO – $437
- State Farm – $611
- USAA – $658
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Hawaii
- Farmers Insurance – $794
- Allstate – $699
- USAA – $658
GEICO and State Farm are among the cheapest car insurance companies in Hawaii. Farmers and Allstate are among the most expensive in the state. And USAA falls right in the middle.
The figures used to calculate the cheapest and most expensive insurers are based on general profiles. Your quote will vary due to several factors, such as the coverage you choose, credit score, age, driving history, and location. For more accurate estimates that are specific to your circumstances, request personalized quotes from different car insurance companies.
Guide to Hawaii Car Insurance
Hawaii Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Hawaii law requires all drivers must maintain a certain amount of car insurance coverage to help with expenses incurred in the event of an accident. These expenses could be for repairing or replacing damaged property or for medical expenses if the accident causes physical injuries. According to the Hawaii DCCA, drivers in Hawaii are required to carry a minimum of:
- $10,000 per person in personal injury protection (PIP) for yourself and your passengers
- $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident in bodily injury liability (BIL) for other injured parties
- $10,000 per incident in property damage liability (PDL)
Hawaii is a no-fault state, and this means that your insurance company will cover the medical expenses for you and everyone in your car up to the PIP limit, regardless of who caused the accident. However, the no-fault status applies to injury only, so the at-fault party (and their insurance company) is responsible for the cost of property damage.
Don’t Settle for Minimum Insurance
While the minimum car insurance requirements keep you on the right side of the law, they may fall short in protecting you against financial losses if you’re in a serious accident. You’ll be responsible for paying some expenses out of your own pocket if the cost of repairs and medical treatments exceeds your insurance coverage.
Generally speaking, it’s wise to purchase as much insurance coverage as you can, according to your budget. You can use online quote tools from multiple insurance providers to see how much your rates would change if you adjusted deductibles or added coverage.
How We Found the Best Car Insurance in Hawaii
To determine what providers ranked among the best car insurance in Hawaii, we reviewed the most popular car insurance providers in the state. We analyzed important factors like customer satisfaction, financial strength, coverage options, discounts available, and affordability to see which companies compared favorably to the others.
We used Quadrant Information Services to provide data on the auto insurance rates by company and credit score. Quadrant makes this information available using rate data that insurers are required to file with the state Department of Insurance. The rates in the article are based on sample profiles created by Reviews.com for comparative purposes.
Hawaii Car Insurance Companies FAQ
How much does car insurance in Hawaii cost per month?
Average car insurance in Hawaii ranges somewhere between $437 and $794, depending on your provider (based on pricing data from Quadrant Information Services). Because so many different factors are involved in calculating car insurance rates, you should take some time to get personalized online quotes from multiple companies.
What are Hawaii’s car insurance laws?
Because Hawaii is a no-fault state, your insurance company is responsible for issuing a payout for your (and your passengers’) medical expenses, regardless of who caused the accident. But because the no-fault status applies only to injuries and not to property damage, the at-fault party (and their insurance company) is still responsible for the cost of property damage. All drivers in Hawaii need to have a basic car insurance policy compliant with the minimum required coverage in the state.
About the Authors
Michelle Clardie has an MBA in management and strategy, and has worked in real estate. Her work has been featured on sites like Yahoo! News and Inman.
