The Best Homeowners Insurance in Hawaii for 2024 - NerdWallet (2024)

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Hawaii is $515 per year, or about $43 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s the cheapest average rate of any state. For comparison, the national average is $1,915 per year.

However, homeowners insurance in Hawaii won’t pay for wind damage from hurricanes. That coverage is extra and may be required if you have a mortgage.

NerdWallet analyzed data from numerous insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in Hawaii in the following categories:

The rates in our analysis are estimates based on many factors, so your rate may differ.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

Best homeowners insurance in Hawaii for affordability and coverage: State Farm

In Hawaii, the average annual premium for State Farm is $505, which is less than the state average of $515.

State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.

State Farm is also a great choice for homeowners who like to work directly with a representative, as the company sells policies through a wide network of agents. And its attention to customer service has paid off; the company has fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.

Best homeowners insurance in Hawaii for consumer experience: Cincinnati Insurance

Cincinnati Insurance shines when it comes to keeping policyholders happy. It draws far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The insurer sells homeowners policies through independent agents, with various options for standard and high-value homes.

Cincinnati may offer you a discount for bundling home and auto insurance, having a newer home or installing a centrally monitored alarm system.

Full list of the best homeowners insurance in Hawaii

NerdWallet analyzed home insurance companies across the state to find the best home insurance in Hawaii. Here are all of the insurers that received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5 or higher:

How much does homeowners insurance cost in Hawaii?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Hawaii is $515. That’s 73% less than the national average of $1,915.

In most states, including Hawaii, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Hawaii, those with poor credit pay an average of $540 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 5% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in Hawaii by city

Average Hawaii homeowners insurance rates tend to be fairly consistent across the state. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Honolulu is $515 per year, while homeowners in Hilo pay $540 per year, on average.

The cheapest home insurance in Hawaii

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates up to the Hawaii average of $515.

What to know about Hawaii homeowners insurance

Hawaii’s unique geology brings special considerations for those shopping for the best homeowners insurance in the state. Hawaii residents need to decide whether they need additional coverage for flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Flooding

Flooding can cause significant damage to your home, and standard homeowners insurance policies typically won't cover it. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to buy separate flood insurance to protect themselves financially from water damage.

To find out whether you’re at risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to buy flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can get flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Hurricanes

In Hawaii, homeowners with mortgages are typically required by their lenders to purchase supplemental hurricane insurance in addition to standard home insurance. Once a hurricane watch or warning is issued, hurricane insurance typically kicks in and remains in effect for 72 hours.

Coverage under hurricane insurance varies, so it’s important to read your policy carefully. In general, a hurricane policy will cover damage from wind but not flooding. To make sure your home has the most comprehensive coverage for hurricanes, you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy.

Because hurricane insurance is separate from your homeowners policy, it will have its own deductible, usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, if your home has $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage and a 5% hurricane deductible, you’ll be responsible for the first $15,000 of damage before your insurance will pay for anything.

Volcanic activity

Coverage for volcanic activity does vary, so it’s important to review your homeowners insurance policy to understand what it covers. Some lava activity may be covered as fire damage.

When reviewing your policy, pay attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. Volcanic activity could destroy your home, so talk with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.

Earthquakes

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not typically cover structural damage due to an earthquake. If you live in an area with higher risk, consider purchasing additional earthquake insurance.

Be aware that earthquake insurance often has a separate deductible, which can be around 5% to 25% of the coverage on your policy. For example, if you have a 20% deductible on $200,000 of coverage, you would need to pay a $40,000 deductible for earthquake damage before your insurance covers anything.

Hawaii insurance department

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs oversees the insurance industry for the state. Its website provides useful insurance information for consumers, including hurricane preparedness resources and information on lava flow insurance.

This department can help answer your questions about insurance in Hawaii by email at [emailprotected] or by phone at 808-586-2790. If you have an issue with your insurer, file a complaint with the department using its consumer complaint form.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.