Insurance requirements for registering a car in Hawaii
The state of Hawaii requires all drivers to have automobile insurance or "financial responsibility" in order to operate a vehicle legally. Hawaii is a no-fault state, which means your insurance pays for your damages and bills in the event of an accident, regardless of who or what caused the accident.
The minimum liability insurance required for vehicle owners under this law is as follows:
$10,000 Injury Protection, which covers any injury you or your passengers sustain in a car accident.
$25,000 in property damage liability, which covers damage your vehicle causes to someone else's property (such as buildings or road signs).
$20,000 for personal injury insurance per person; this means that the total minimum amount that a driver must have for bodily injury insurance is $US 40,000 XNUMX, to cover the smallest possible number of people involved in an accident (two drivers).
This means that each driver must insure their liability for a total of $55,000 for each vehicle they own in Hawaii.
Other types of insurance
Although these are the only types of insurance required by the State of Hawaii, other types of insurance are recognized for additional coverage. This includes:
Collision insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle as a result of a traffic accident.
Comprehensive insurance that covers damage to your vehicle that was not the result of an accident (for example, weather-related damage or theft).
Uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist insurance, which covers costs in the event of an accident involving a driver who did not have the proper insurance amount required by law.
proof of insurance
Every driver must carry a valid car insurance card from an authorized insurer at all times when driving and must present their insurance card to any law enforcement officer who requests one.
Another valid proof of having insurance in Hawaii is the SR-22 document, which certifies that you have certified auto insurance. This document is filed with the DMV by the auto insurance provider and is usually only required for those drivers who have had to reinstate their license after being found guilty of DUI or other reckless driving.
Penalties for Violation
Driving without proper insurance in Hawaii can result in fines and jail time, including:
Fine up to $1,000 for the first violation
Fines up to $3,000 for subsequent violations
Jail term up to six months
Possible suspension of your driver's license
A driver who is legally required to have an SR-22 insurance certificate and does not maintain his insurance will have his driver's license suspended until he obtains new insurance and a new SR-22 is filed.
If you are asked to show an insurance policy and you are unable to provide one, you may also face traffic fines and related fines.
For more information, contact the government of Hawaii at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website.
