Hawaii is a no-fault state with 40/80 + PD 20k + PIP 10k minimum liability. Here's exactly what the law demands, what it costs to ignore it, and how SR-22 filings work — with statutes cited.
| Coverage HI law requires | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability — per person | $40,000 |
| Bodily injury liability — per accident | $80,000 |
| Property damage liability | $20,000 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $10,000 |
| PIP | Personal injury protection of at least $10,000 per person for the insured's own medical an |
Effective 2026-01-01. Source: Hawaii Insurance Division (DCCA) - FAQ: Auto Insurance Minimum Limits (January 2026) · Hawaii Revised Statutes ch. 431, art. 10C (Motor Vehicle Insurance Law)
First offense: Fine of $500 (court may instead order 75-100 hours of community service); driver's license suspended for three months. General violations of the Motor Vehicle Insurance Law carry fines of $100 to $5,000 (HRS sec. 431:10C-117).
Repeat offenses: Minimum $1,500 fine for each subsequent offense within five years (or 200-275 hours of community service for a second offense), license suspension of one year, and possible imprisonment of up to 30 days, vehicle registration suspension, license-plate revocation, or impoundment of the vehicle (HRS sec. 431:10C-117).
License impact: Three-month license suspension on first conviction; one-year suspension for any subsequent offense within a five-year period (HRS sec. 431:10C-117). (source: HRS sec. 431:10C-117 (Hawaii State Legislature, capitol.hawaii.gov))
Hawaii does not use the SR-22 name in statute; instead, after license suspension or revocation for offenses listed in HRS sec. 287-20 (including OVUII, reckless driving, and driving while suspended), the driver must file and maintain proof of financial responsibility - most commonly an insurer-filed certificate of insurance under HRS sec. 287-22, which expressly accommodates certificates for persons who do not own a vehicle (non-owner filings). The administrator may consent to cancel the proof after three years free of qualifying convictions (HRS sec. 287-40). Ordinary drivers only need standard proof of insurance for registration and traffic stops.
Typically required after: OVUII (operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant) and other convictions that suspend or revoke the license, reckless or inattentive driving, driving while license suspended or revoked, certain convictions involving injury accidents or driving without insurance (HRS sec. 287-20). Filing period: 3 years in most cases. Non-owner option: available — you can file without owning a car.
Need one filed? Our SR-22 service page explains the process; a licensed professional at (866) 370-6395 can usually file the same day.
Hawaii is a no-fault state: every motor vehicle policy must include at least $10,000 of personal injury protection covering the insured's own medical and rehabilitative expenses regardless of who caused the accident. The PIP minimum was not changed by the 2026 liability-limit increase (Hawaii Insurance Division, Auto Insurance Minimum Limits FAQ, Jan. 2026).
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages must be offered with every policy but may be rejected in writing; they are not mandatory purchases (HRS ch. 431:10C; Hawaii Insurance Division consumer information).
Proof of insurance (a valid motor vehicle insurance identification card) is required to register a vehicle with the counties and must be carried in the vehicle.
License and registration consequences: Three-month license suspension on first conviction; one-year suspension for any subsequent offense within a five-year period (HRS sec. 431:10C-117).
| City | Population | Median income | 30+ min commute | No-vehicle households |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | 345,482 | $86,504 | 28.2% | 16.6% |
| East Honolulu | 51,360 | $159,518 | 56.4% | 3.3% |
| Hilo | 50,404 | $81,779 | 16.3% | 8.9% |
| Pearl City | 44,547 | $118,112 | 42.2% | 7.3% |
| Waipahu | 40,482 | $103,895 | 53.6% | 14.3% |
| Kailua CDP (Honolulu County) | 39,640 | $148,582 | 58.0% | 3.2% |
| Kaneohe | 37,355 | $125,613 | 45.4% | 5.2% |
| Kahului | 28,288 | $98,077 | 34.2% | 7.0% |
| Mililani Town | 27,668 | $127,363 | 55.9% | 3.0% |
| Ewa Gentry | 26,563 | $135,684 | 60.6% | 1.4% |
Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-year estimates.
Oahu driving means the H-1 crawl through town, the Pali and Likelike over the Koolau to Kailua and Kaneohe, H-2 up to Mililani, and the H-3's viaduct views. Parking is the daily battle in urban Honolulu — street spots are scarce, stalls are tight, and door dings are a way of life, which makes deductible choices oddly personal here. Salt air works on every vehicle, sudden windward downpours slick the Pali, and rockfall zones are marked for a reason. Island logistics matter too: parts ship in, so repairs can take longer, making rental coverage worth weighing. A licensed local agent understands all of this without translation.
Neighbor-island driving is nothing like Honolulu. Around Hilo, the Hawaii Belt Road and Daniel K. Inouye Highway carry long, wet miles, and Hilo's famous rainfall means flash flooding and standing water are routine hazards, squarely a comprehensive-coverage concern. On Maui, Kahului's commute knots up where Hana Highway, Haleakala Highway, and the airport traffic converge, and visitors in rentals navigating one-lane bridges keep locals patient and defensive. Salt air works on every vehicle, and falling rock or storm debris on coastal highways is a real exposure. Distances look short on a map but drive long. With so many rental cars sharing the road, UM coverage and honest liability limits deserve a real conversation.
Every legal claim on this page traces to:
Laws change. We refresh state pages on a rolling schedule and date-stamp every change; verify with your state before acting.