The Best Home Insurance in Hawaii for 2023

Consider coverage for hurricane and volcano activity when shopping for your Hawaii homeowners insurance.
Sarah Schlichter
Kayda Norman
By Kayda Norman and  Sarah Schlichter 
Published
Edited by Caitlin Constantine

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in Hawaii is $490 per year, or about $41 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s the cheapest average rate of any state and far less than the national average of $1,820 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.

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.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

The best homeowners insurance in Hawaii

If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$410

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families.

More about the best home insurance companies in Hawaii

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

State Farm is a great choice for homeowners who like to work directly with a representative, as the company sells policies through a wide network of agents. 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.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.


insurance-product-card-logo

Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Chubb generally serves affluent policyholders with high-value homes, offering lofty coverage limits and plenty of perks. For example, the company covers water damage from backed-up sewers and drains, and it pays to bring your home up to the latest building codes during reconstruction after a claim. (Many insurers charge more for these types of coverage.)

Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.


insurance-product-card-logo

Cincinnati Insurance

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Sells homeowners policies through local independent agents across the U.S.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Cincinnati Insurance

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Sells homeowners policies through local independent agents across the U.S.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Cincinnati Insurance sells homeowners policies through independent agents, with various options for standard and high-value homes. You may be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, personal cyberattacks or certain types of water damage.

Cincinnati may offer you a discount for bundling home and auto insurance, having a newer home, installing a centrally monitored alarm system or going a certain amount of time without filing a claim.


Generous coverage and features for the military community.
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
Generous coverage and features for the military community.
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active-duty military members and their families. If that description fits you, you may want to consider a USAA policy. That’s because the company’s homeowners insurance has certain features that other insurers may charge extra for.

For example, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy new replacements for your stuff.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in Hawaii?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Hawaii is $490. That’s 73% less than the national average of $1,820.

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 $550 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 12% 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 $485 per year, while homeowners in Hilo pay $490 per year, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Aiea

$485

$40

Ewa Beach

$485

$40

Hilo

$490

$41

Honolulu

$485

$40

Kahului

$490

$41

Kailua

$485

$40

Kailua-Kona

$490

$41

Kaneohe

$485

$40

Kapaa

$490

$41

Kapolei

$485

$40

Keaau

$490

$41

Kihei

$490

$41

Lahaina

$490

$41

Makawao

$490

$41

Mililani

$485

$40

Pearl City

$485

$40

Wahiawa

$485

$40

Waianae

$485

$40

Wailuku

$490

$41

Waipahu

$485

$40

The cheapest home insurance in Hawaii

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Hawaii average of $490.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

DB Insurance

Not rated

$280

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$410

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$420

Island Insurance

Not rated

$425

RLI Insurance

Not rated

$460

First Insurance of Hawaii

Not rated

$480

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. In addition to standard coverage concerns, like flooding, Hawaii residents need to decide whether they need additional coverage for hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Flooding

Flooding is a risk no matter where you live, but that’s especially true in areas with high rainfall. Flooding can cause significant damage to your home, and standard homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to buy separate flood insurance to protect their property 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 buy 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

Hawaii is susceptible to hurricanes, particularly during the central Pacific hurricane season, which runs from June to November. With high winds and heavy rainfall, these storms can cause significant damage to homes.

With such high risk in the Aloha State, 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

Hawaii is home to active volcanoes, like Kilauea on the Big Island. Volcanic eruptions can lead to lava flows, ashfall and volcanic gases, which can damage your home. Coverage 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 particular attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. Volcanic activity could destroy your whole home, so talk with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.

Earthquakes

In addition to volcanic activity, Hawaii is susceptible to earthquakes, with thousands of varying magnitude recorded each year. Powerful earthquakes can potentially cause significant structural damage to homes.

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.

When buying earthquake insurance, pay attention to the deductibles so you know the potential out-of-pocket costs. As with hurricane insurance, 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 [email protected] 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.

Looking for more insurance? Check out the cheapest car insurance in Hawaii.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.

Frequently asked questions

Homeowners insurance is not required by Hawaii state law. However, your lender may require you to buy home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

Coverage for volcanic activity varies by policy. Fire damage caused by lava flows may be covered, but it’s important to read your policy carefully to make sure you understand the details.

There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Hawaii:

  • Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

  • Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.

  • Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.

  • Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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