Best Car Insurance in Hawaii for 2026

Based on my research, GEICO offers the lowest price in Hawaii at $24 per month, while Progressive ranks highest for customer experience. This reflects the balance between rate and service.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: April 20, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

Key Takeaways

GEICO earns Hawaii's top MoneyGeek score at 4.50/5, with the state's lowest minimum coverage rate at $24 per month and a perfect 5.00/5 affordability score.

Island, a Hawaii-only regional insurer, wins best for young drivers and violation-affected drivers, with the second-highest customer experience score (4.90/5) in the state.

Hawaii bans credit scoring in auto insurance, making it one of only three states where your driving record is the primary rate factor, not your credit history.

HOW I DECIDED ON THE BEST CAR INSURANCE IN HAWAII

Mark Fitzpatrick, Licensed Insurance Producer

I analyzed quotes from five Hawaii insurers across every ZIP code in the state. Hawaii's market differs from most states: it consistently ranks as one of the most affordable states for auto insurance nationally, operates as a no-fault state requiring Personal Injury Protection (PIP), bans credit scoring in rate-setting, and includes a Hawaii-only regional insurer, Island, competing directly against national carriers.

As a licensed producer, I paid close attention to how each insurer performed across the full range of driver profiles, not only clean-record adults.

Affordability is weighted at 60% because rate is the primary driver for most Hawaii drivers.
Customer experience accounts for 30%, based on J.D. Power scores, NAIC complaint ratios and Google reviews specific to Hawaii.
Coverage options make up the remaining 10%, measuring the range of add-ons offered in Hawaii.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Hawaii

My top picks for Hawaii drivers span three distinct categories. GEICO offers the lowest price at $24 a month for minimum coverage. Island, a Hawaii-only regional insurer, wins for young drivers and drivers with violations. Progressive earns the top spot for DUI drivers and those needing broader coverage.

Drivers focused purely on price can compare the cheapest car insurance options in Hawaii. My analysis highlights the competitive dynamic Island creates. Despite lower name recognition outside the state, its 4.90/5 customer experience score and third-place coverage rank show it outperforms national carriers on those measures.


Geico	4.5	44.96	4	5
Island Insurance	4.45	56.77	2	3
Farmers	4.17	53.74	6	1
State Farm	4.02	62.15	3	5
Progressive	3.97	79.15	1	2

Best Overall and Cheapest for Most Drivers

GEICO

GEICO earns the top composite score in my Hawaii analysis and holds the lowest rates I found in the state across nearly every profile I tested. At $24 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, it’s the most affordable baseline of any major insurer I analyzed in Hawaii, and that rate stays competitive for seniors ($24 per month), young drivers ($26 per month) and new-car drivers ($27 per month). One important note about Hawaii: the state prohibits insurers from using credit scores in rate-setting, so credit history doesn’t affect what you pay here.

On customer experience, GEICO ranks fourth among the Hawaii insurers I analyzed, behind Progressive, Island and State Farm. Its primarily phone-and-online operation means most claims interactions happen without a local agent, and consumer reviews nationally note difficulty reaching live support.

For Hawaii drivers who file claims rarely and want the lowest monthly rate, GEICO’s case is clear. For drivers who expect to interact with their insurer more actively, on Maui or the Big Island, where distance from urban centers can complicate claims logistics, Island's local presence and good service record deserve consideration.

Affordability (60%): 5.0/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.2/5
Coverage Options (10%): 2.5/5

Don’t pick GEICO if you need gap insurance, accident forgiveness or a broad set of coverage options. Its three add-ons cover the basics only. Progressive’s nine add-on options include gap insurance and a diminishing deductible, and it holds a perfect customer experience score in Hawaii. At $47 per month minimum, it costs $23 more per month than GEICO for a clean-record adult.

Best for Young Drivers and Those With Driving Violations

Island Insurance Group

Island is a Hawaii-based regional carrier. It operates exclusively in the state and has no presence elsewhere. That local focus shows in my analysis: it earns the second-highest customer experience score among the Hawaii insurers I reviewed, behind only Progressive, and draws positive local reviews for agent responsiveness and claims handling on the islands.

It wins young drivers ($33 per month minimum), speeding ticket-affected drivers ($36 per month) and accident-affected drivers ($44 per month) on the full scoring analysis. Island’s coverage score reflects a set of options that includes gap insurance, rideshare coverage and auto glass coverage, with more depth than GEICO’s three add-ons.

At $33 per month minimum for a clean-record adult, it’s $9 per month more than GEICO, but its service record and local expertise in Hawaii’s specific claims environment, including wind, volcanic activity and flooding on certain islands, give it an edge for drivers who expect to use their coverage.

Affordability (60%): 4.3/5
Customer Experience (30%): 4.9/5
Coverage Options (10%): 4.1/5

Don’t pick Island if the lowest monthly rate is your first priority. GEICO’s $24 per month minimum is $9 per month cheaper for a clean-record adult in Hawaii, and it’s cheapest for seniors, bad-credit drivers and most clean-record profiles. Island's advantage is its local service quality and coverage depth.

Best for Drivers With a DUI or Bad Credit

Progressive

Progressive wins the DUI and bad credit categories in my Hawaii analysis on the combination of a perfect customer experience score and the broadest range of coverage options in the state. At $73 per month minimum after a DUI and $86 per month for a bad-credit driver, it isn’t the cheapest option for either profile, and GEICO runs lower on both.

But Progressive holds a perfect customer experience score in Hawaii, the highest of any insurer I analyzed in the state, reflecting positive agent reviews and performance across consumer platforms. For drivers in two of the most claims-prone categories, that service quality is part of what they’re paying for.

Progressive’s nine add-on options include gap insurance, accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible and rideshare coverage, making it the most complete set of coverage options in Hawaii. Hawaii bans credit scoring, so the bad-credit category here reflects overall profile fit rather than a credit surcharge specifically.

Progressive’s combination of service quality and coverage depth makes it the best all-around option for these drivers even at a higher rate.

Affordability (60%): 3.3/5
Customer Experience (30%): 5.0/5
Coverage Options (10%): 4.8/5

Don’t pick Progressive if rate is the primary concern. GEICO’s $24 per month minimum is $23 cheaper for a clean-record adult, and it offers lower rates for DUI and bad-credit profiles as well. Progressive’s case rests on service quality and coverage depth, not rate competitiveness.

WHAT IS MY VERDICT?

For most Hawaii drivers, I'd recommend GEICO: the 4.50/5 MoneyGeek score, $24 a month minimum coverage, and consistent rate advantage across clean-record profiles make it the best all-around pick in a state that's already one of the most affordable for auto insurance.

Island is the right call for young drivers and anyone with a violation. Its Hawaii-specific market expertise, 4.90/5 customer experience score, and third-place coverage rank make a compelling case for drivers who want more than the lowest rate.

Progressive is the pick for DUI drivers and anyone who needs gap insurance or rideshare coverage: no other Hawaii insurer matches its nine add-ons, and its perfect 5.00/5 customer experience score means you get reliable service alongside broader coverage.

MORE HAWAII CAR INSURANCE GUIDES

These guides take a closer look at key Hawaii auto insurance topics.

Best Car Insurance in Hawaii by Driver Profile

My Hawaii profile analysis surfaces one of the clearest affordability stories found across any state I reviewed. Because Hawaii bans credit scoring in auto insurance, driving record and driver profile carry more pricing weight here than in most states, and age is not used as a rating factor.

Credit history is not a factor in Hawaii rate calculations. GEICO leads most clean-record and low-risk profiles, while Island wins for young drivers and those with violations. The bad credit driver profile doesn't apply in this table: Hawaii's credit scoring ban means that category does not exist in the state's rating system.


Adult drivers (26 to 64), clean record	GEICO	$24	$66
Young drivers (16 to 25)	Island Insurance	$33	$80
Senior drivers (65+)	GEICO	$24	$66
After an at-fault accident	Island Insurance	$44	$107
After a speeding ticket	Island Insurance	$36	$87
After a DUI	Progressive	$73	$190
Low income	GEICO	$31	$84

Hawaii's credit scoring ban means driving record carries more pricing weight than in most states. A clean year after a violation is worth shopping for new quotes, since Hawaii insurers weight recent driving history heavily when recalculating premiums.

Best Car Insurance in Hawaii by City

Two insurers split the city-level wins in my Hawaii analysis. GEICO holds the top spot in eight of the 10 most populous cities, while Island ranks first in Hilo and Kailua. Island's local expertise and higher customer experience score give it an edge in those Neighbor Island markets, while GEICO's rate advantage carries through in Honolulu and most Oahu communities.

The rate range is tighter than expected, but Kailua at $62 per month versus Kaneohe at $43 per month, both on Oahu, shows that ZIP code still matters even in a small state.


Ewa Gentry	GEICO	4.50	$43
Hilo	Island Insurance	4.60	$57
Honolulu	GEICO	4.50	$46
Kahului	GEICO	4.50	$44
Kailua	Island Insurance	4.50	$62
Kaneohe	GEICO	4.50	$43
Kapolei	GEICO	4.50	$43
Mililani Town	GEICO	4.50	$43
Pearl City	GEICO	4.50	$43
Waipahu	GEICO	4.50	$43

Rates vary by island and ZIP code in Hawaii. Neighbor Island cities like Hilo and Kailua usually run higher than most Oahu communities due to differences in local risk profiles, repair costs, and market competition between insurers.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the most affordable states for auto insurance in the country, but even here the gap between GEICO at $24 per month and Progressive at $47 per month for minimum coverage is $23 per month, which adds up to more than $270 a year and makes shopping worth the effort.

1
Understand Hawaii's no-fault PIP requirements
Hawaii is a no-fault state, requiring $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) alongside minimum liability coverage. Current minimums effective Jan. 1, 2026 are 40/80/20: $40,000 per person for bodily injury, $80,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage.

These limits increased from 20/40/10, a large increase that raised premiums for drivers carrying only the state minimum. Among major insurers, GEICO is the only option under $30 per month at $24, based on the cheapest car insurance in Hawaii rates.
2
Know that Hawaii bans credit scoring
Hawaii is one of only three states, along with California and Massachusetts, that prohibit auto insurers from using credit scores in rate-setting. Your driving record, vehicle type, annual mileage and location are the primary pricing factors. Credit improvement won't lower your premium here, but a clean driving record carries extra weight. Drivers who need an SR-22 can check the SR-22 insurance in Hawaii guide for insurer rates and filing requirements.
3
Consider a local insurer alongside national options
Island is a Hawaii-only insurer that outperforms national carriers on both customer experience (4.90/5) and coverage options in my analysis. Regional insurers sometimes handle local claims better than nationals in island-specific situations. Getting a quote from Island alongside GEICO and Progressive gives you the full picture.
4
Compare rates across your specific profile
The cheapest insurer for a clean-record driver is GEICO at $24 per month. After a violation, that changes: State Farm's $41 per month after a DUI is the lowest post-DUI rate among the analyzed Hawaii insurers. Your driving history determines which insurer wins for you.
5
Review coverage when Hawaii's minimums change
Hawaii raised its minimum liability limits effective Jan. 1, 2026 from 20/40/10 to 40/80/20. If you were carrying the old minimums, your policy was automatically updated at renewal. It's worth reviewing whether your coverage level still fits your needs at the new baseline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest car insurance in Hawaii?

GEICO offers the cheapest minimum coverage in Hawaii at $24 per month for a clean-record adult driver. For drivers with a DUI, State Farm is the cheapest option at $41 per month, the lowest post-DUI rate among the analyzed Hawaii insurers. Hawaii is one of the most affordable states for auto insurance nationally.

How much is car insurance in Hawaii on average?

Hawaii consistently ranks among the most affordable states for auto insurance, driven by its market conditions, including its no-fault PIP system and ban on credit scoring in rate-setting. Average monthly rates start as low as $24 per month for minimum coverage with GEICO.

Is Hawaii a no-fault state?

Yes. Hawaii is a no-fault state requiring $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). PIP covers your own medical expenses after an accident regardless of who caused it. Hawaii's current minimum liability requirements are 40/80/20, effective Jan. 1, 2026, increased from the previous 20/40/10 limits.

What car insurance is required in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires minimum liability coverage of 40/80/20: $40,000 per person for bodily injury, $80,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage. Hawaii also requires $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). These minimums took effect Jan. 1, 2026, replacing the previous 20/40/10 limits.

Does Hawaii allow insurers to use credit scores?

No. Hawaii is one of only three states, with California and Massachusetts, that prohibit auto insurers from using credit scores to set rates. Your driving record, vehicle type, annual mileage and ZIP code are the primary pricing factors in Hawaii.

What makes Island different from national insurers in Hawaii?

Island is a Hawaii-only regional insurer that outperforms the national carriers on customer experience (4.90/5) and coverage breadth in my analysis. Regional insurers often handle local claims more effectively than nationals because of their market-specific expertise. Island earns the best composite score for young drivers and violation-affected drivers in Hawaii.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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