Hawaii Auto Insurance
Hawaii drivers are required to possess certain minimum amounts of automobile insurance. This includes at least $10,000 in personal injury protection, $20,000 in bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $40,000 coverage for all persons injured and a minimum of $10,000 in property damage insurance.
Hawaii is also a no fault car insurance state so most drivers also purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for additional protection in car accidents where you are injured or your vehicle is damaged by a driver with no insurance or insurance that is inadequate. Every licensed car insurance company in Hawaii is required to at least offer this type of insurance to you, but declining it is done at your own risk.
What is Hawaii No Fault Car Insurance?
Hawaii is one of the few states that operates under “no fault” car insurance laws. Unfortunately, however, a lot of drivers don’t really understand what this means for them. No fault car insurance laws are exactly what they sound like. What no fault auto insurance means is that, in the event of an accident, neither driver will be deemed at fault, except in cases of extreme negligence on the part of one driver. Instead, both drivers will be responsible for paying for the damages to their own cars or persons. A good car insurance policy will cover almost any injury or damage sustained, but a bad one may not even be enough to cover one visit to the hospital after an accident. It is important to have adequate insurance in all states, but especially in states like Hawaii where only you are responsible for your own wellbeing.
What is the average cost of Car Insurance in Hawaii?
Most Hawaii drivers do opt for coverage that goes above and beyond the minimum insurance requirements. Hawaii residents pay approximately $1,153 on average in yearly auto insurance premiums as of 2011. Unfortunately, these rates have gone up in recent years. In 2010, for example, the average was $1,120. Despite this increase in car insurance rates, it is still possible for Hawaii drivers to find very affordable car insurance rates with a little bit of work comparing auto insurance companies.
How to find the best car insurance in Hawaii?
The biggest mistake you can make when searching for car insurance in Hawaii is to simply go with the first provider you find or even the first one that offers you cheap car insurance quotes. There are many auto insurance companies licensed in Hawaii and although it’s easy to start viewing them as all the same this isn’t the case at all. Some auto insurance companies are much better than others offering superior levels of coverage, customer service, and more. Your goal as a driver should be to find affordable insurance with the best all around service, and you can’t do this without a little research.
Researching the licensed auto insurance companies in your area will enable you to choose which providers you definitely won’t want to go with and those with whom you potentially might. You can read more about various providers in your area by visiting their company websites, but also make sure you look at information that isn’t quite so biased. Online client reviews, written by past or current clients of the company, are an excellent place to start. Also, don’t be afraid to ask people in your life who their insurance providers are and how they feel about the service and coverage they receive.
When you’re ready to choose from between a few different providers based on your research, all that is left to do is to request free car insurance quotes. Rate quotes, which can be obtained online, in person, or over the phone are the more surefire way to pick the best deal. Make sure, however, that you don’t just automatically choose the provider that offers you the lowest premium. Instead, take the time to really think about which provider is offering you the greatest amount of coverage at the best price or, in other words, which one allows you to get the most for your money. Sometimes, it’s better to pay a little more for a better policy. In the long run, after all, your protection matters more than the actual price you pay out of pocket each year. Start your Hawaii auto insurance comparison search today by simply entering your ZIP code above.
