Creating Hawaii real estate success stories, one home at a time! (808) 593-4444 Ext 102

Brooks T. Bowman, Realtor/Principal Broker
Hawaii Discount Realty - Ph: 808-384-2918
Susan D. Bowman, Realtor/Principal Broker
Hawaii Metro Realty LLC - Ph: 808-384-2917

Car Insurance in Hawaii

If you ship your car to Hawaii, you must obtain car insurance prior to registering your car.  So, you'll want to obtain insurance immediately and you need to physically have the car inspected by the insurance agent.  To obtain the most cost effective coverage you also need to show proof that the car was previously insured by showing a current insurance card from your last insurer.  If there was a lapse in coverage then your insurance rates will be higher.  After your car is insured, you can then obtain a Vehicle Safety Inspection and then you will be able to register your car.  You can obtain more information on registering your car at this link. 

Hawaii is a "no fault" insurance state, but don't mistake that to mean that if you are found to be at fault in an accident you will not have to pay the repair bill.  The "no fault" applies only to bodily injury and if you damage another car and you are found to be at fault, you will have to pay for the repair of their car.  The opposite is true if you are involved in a car accident and the other party is found to be at fault, then they will have to pay for your car repair bill.  The minimum limits of liability are:

• $20,000 Per Person for Bodily Injury

• $40,000 Per Accident for Bodily Injury

• $10,000 Per Accident for Property Damage, and

• $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

You must carry proof of insurance at all times in your vehicle and if you are stopped by the police and don't have proof of insurance you can be fined, imprisoned or have your driver's license suspended.  The average cost of car insurance in Hawaii for the year 2005 was $843.  To view a comparison of insurance companies, their rates and their complaint records, click this link.  The companies that I personally have had a positive experience with are AIG, DTRIC and Liberty Mutual.  If you Google the name of insurance carrier along with the word Hawaii or Oahu, then you should be able to obtain their phone number and address.

© 2005 Susan D. Bowman, Realtor/Principal Broker - Hawaii Metro Realty LLC
Hawaii Discount Realty is a real estate broker licensed in Hawaii and located at 91-110 Hanua St., Suite 208, Kapolei, HI  96707 with Brooks T. Bowman as Principal Broker
Hawaii Metro Realty LLC is a real estate broker licensed in Hawaii and located at 92-882 Wainohia St, Kapolei, HI  96707 with Susan D. Bowman as Principal Broker
Office Phone:  (808) 672-0790 ● Office Fax:  (808) 593-2090 ● Email:  susan@hihomes4u.com