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Hawaii Home Insurance

Home insurance in Hawaii is all about making sure you're covered for the island's unique risks. A homeowners insurance policy with the right coverages can help ensure you're fully protected when the unexpected happens, allowing you to enjoy life in beautiful Hawaii.

Is home insurance required in Hawaii?

Hawaii law doesn’t require homeowners to have insurance on their property, but if you finance your home through a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have homeowners insurance. Even if you own your home outright without a mortgage, it’s still highly advisable to be insured. Home insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product. It should be tailored to your specific situation and needs.

Typical Hawaii homeowners insurance coverages

  • Coverage A – Dwelling:

    Coverage for your home and attached structures for damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, wind or hail.

  • Coverage B – Other structures:

    This covers damage to other structures on the property that are set apart from the dwelling, such as a fence, shed or detached garage.

  • Coverage C – Personal property:

    Coverage for your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, if they’re damaged by a peril listed in your policy.

  • Coverage D – Loss of use:

    This covers your temporary living expenses when a covered loss makes your home unfit to live in.

  • Coverage E – Personal liability:

    This covers damage or injury to another person on their property that you’re responsible for causing. It also covers legal assistance for claims made against you.

  • Coverage F – Medical payments to others:

    This coverage can pay for medical bills for people who are accidentally hurt on your property, not including members of your household.

Remember, each of these coverages is subject to a policy limit, deductible and exclusions, which are specified within your policy.

Your homeowners insurance won’t cover flood damages, so it helps to ensure you’re properly covered if there’s a flood. Flood insurance policies are available and are written through the federally backed National Flood Insurance Program. It’s common for mortgage companies to require flood insurance if your home is within or near a floodplain. Regardless, a flood can occur anywhere, and it’s a good idea to buy this additional coverage. 

Additional coverages in Hawaii

You may find that the general coverages afforded in a basic homeowners policy don’t cover certain losses or types of property. There are home insurance options in the form of policy endorsements that can fill in some of those gaps in coverage. Adding endorsements to your Hawaii homeowners insurance policy can provide valuable additional coverage tailored to your specific needs. Here are a few endorsements you might consider:

  • Special computer coverage:

    Additional protection beyond what’s included in your policy for devices against direct physical loss, like accidental damage or theft. Devices covered under special computer coverage include:

    • Desktops
    • Laptops
    • Smartphones
    • Gaming devices
    • Smart TVs

  • Identity fraud expenses:

    Identity theft is a growing concern, and this endorsement can help cover expenses associated with restoring your identity, such as legal fees, lost wages and other related costs.

  • Water backup and sump overflow:

    Unexpected and accidental water damage, like from an appliance or burst pipe, is covered by most homeowners insurance policies. But, at the same time, they also exclude coverage for backed-up sewers and drains. This endorsement provides coverage for water that backs up through drains and sump pumps.

  • Scheduled personal property:

    If you have high-value items such as jewelry, fine art or collectibles, a basic homeowners policy may not provide sufficient coverage. With this endorsement, you can insure specific items to make sure they’re adequately covered against loss or damage.

  • Earthquakes:

    A standard Hawaii policy excludes damage caused by earth movement, including earthquakes. This endorsement would extend coverage to damage caused by an earthquake.

What affects your Hawaii home insurance rates

Your home insurance premiums can vary depending on where in Hawaii you choose to call home. Population density and crime rates both play a role in determining insurance rates.

Your Hawaii home insurance policy should be tailored to your unique needs and circumstances, taking into consideration specifics like the type of dwelling, the value of your belongings and the level of coverage desired. Certain factors that impact home insurance rates may be beyond your control, such as repair costs or your proximity to a fire station.

Facts and figures about Hawaii

Common claims in Hawaii:

Homeowners insurance typically provides coverage for many of the weather-related risks in Hawaii, subject to policy limits. Here are some common weather-related claims homeowners in Hawaii may face:

  • Weather-related claims: Tropical storms can cause various types of damage to homes, including roof damage, siding damage and water intrusion. Homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by windstorms, hail, lightning and other weather-related perils.

It's important to note that flood damage isn’t covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. Homeowners can purchase separate flood insurance to protect against this risk.

Fun facts about Hawaii:

  • There are approximately 137 Hawaiian Islands in total, including the major eight islands: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe.1 
  • Surfing originated in Hawaii approximately 1,500 years ago. The length of the surfboard, along with the type of wood used in its construction, served to differentiate royalty from commoners.1

With the right home insurance coverage, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safeguarded against the unexpected, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying life in beautiful Hawaii.

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1 130 Interesting Facts About Hawaii
 

Your Policy, Policy Declarations or Amended Declarations in effect on the date of loss is the primary source of reference for your coverage, coverage limits and deductible amounts.

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