How Much Is Flood Insurance in Hawaii? Average Flood Insurance Cost and Coverage

Homeowners and renters insurance usually excludes flood damage, meaning you need to purchase a separate policy for floods. Flood insurance costs in Hawaii differ across locations. Based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Risk Rating 2.0 methodology, property details like the foundation type, building occupancy and the number of flood openings also influence flood insurance costs.

Hawaii’s local flood map can help you discover whether your property is in a low-risk, moderate-risk or high-risk flood area. Due to the vulnerability of your household and the magnitude of loss associated with flooding, MoneyGeek recommends purchasing flood insurance, regardless of your location. FEMA's research shows that you may incur up to a $25,000 loss due to an inch of flood water .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Cost of Flood Insurance in Hawaii
• Flood Insurance Companies in Hawaii
• Flood Insurance Coverage
• Flood Insurance Cost Factors in Hawaii
• Do You Need Flood Insurance?
• Hawaii Flood Insurance FAQs

On average, Hawaii residents pay $674 per year for a flood insurance policy, although actual premiums differ based on the flood risk level of your county and individual property risks. Generally, those who live in moderate or high-risk areas pay the highest rates.

The average flood insurance cost in Hawaii is lower than the national average, potentially because the state features a lower number of flood-prone areas. Based on MoneyGeek’s research, Hawaii’s county with the cheapest flood insurance is Honolulu, with an average annual premium of $639. Kauai County has the highest cost of around $863 per year. You can view the list below to compare flood insurance average rates for different counties in Hawaii.

If you need a flood insurance policy in Hawaii, you may consider getting one from the NFIP, although similar coverage is available through private insurers.

In addition to a base policy like the one offered by the NFIP, private companies may also sell an excess policy as add-on coverage should your base policy not be sufficient for your needs.

Those who should consider purchasing flood insurance from private companies include households outside an NFIP community and those who find NFIP coverage inadequate for their property.

You may also purchase flood insurance through NFIP’s participating insurance providers in Hawaii. In the table below, MoneyGeek lists the NFIP partner insurance companies in the state, with their contact details.

You can easily get a flood insurance policy in Hawaii since there are no specific requirements, and interested individuals may call NFIP’s hotline (877-336-2627) or visit their home insurance agent to get covered. You may also get a separate policy through a private flood insurance company in your area.

MoneyGeek recommends purchasing flood insurance in Hawaii immediately since policies obtained through NFIP become effective 30 days after completing the paperwork. Some private insurance providers have a 10-day waiting period, while others have a different duration. It is essential to get this information from your provider.

In Hawaii, your flood insurance policy will cover the cost of replacement and repair for your building structure and personal belongings. According to FEMA, you may incur damages up to $25,000 for just an inch of flood water.

Flood insurance also excludes damage to specific sections of your property. These include basement items, landscaping, patios, swimming pools and decks. Additionally, your policy excludes cash, paperwork and vehicle coverage. To protect your vehicle, get comprehensive insurance.

Flood insurance pays for the repair and replacement costs associated with the damage to your home’s physical structure. Specific sections included in the policy are:

• Foundation walls
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing systems
• Furnaces, central heating and air conditioning
• Built-in appliances
• Permanent carpets
• Built-in furniture

Hawaiians can purchase as much as $250,000 in building coverage from the NFIP.

Once you purchase flood insurance in Hawaii, you will get protection against damage/loss to your personal belongings, including:

• Clothing
• Furniture
• Electronic equipment
• Washers and dryers
• Artwork

You can get up to $100,000 as the coverage limit for your personal belongings through the NFIP.

Before October 2021, insurers only considered location when determining flood insurance costs in Hawaii. Individuals living in high flood-risk zones did pay more than those in low-risk areas. FEMA has a set of interactive maps to help you learn more about the historical risk of floods across Hawaii. From the data, Kauai County has had the lowest number of flood events in the state, at 255. Meanwhile, Hawaii County has faced the highest number of flooding events, at 411.

The average cost of flood insurance in Kauai County is $863 per year, while Hawaii County is $834. While Kauai has the lowest number of events, rates are higher, possibly because of its flood zone.

Risk Rating 2.0 is a system FEMA uses to determine flood insurance premiums based on individual property risk factors in addition to the flood map information. Introduced in October 2021, the rating system incorporates property risk features like the dwelling structure, replacement and repair costs, frequency of flooding, foundation type, elevation and proximity to water bodies in flood insurance premium computations.

However, the primary determinant of your premium remains your county of residence. Other notable factors influencing flood insurance costs in Hawaii are as follows.

Hawaii costs less for flood insurance than the national average, and you need flood insurance coverage for your property since any building may be vulnerable to flooding.

Typically, lenders and government-backed mortgages ask for flood insurance coverage if you live in a high-risk area. FEMA also advises those in low-risk and moderate-risk areas to get flood insurance for more protection.

In Hawaii, renters and home insurance policies often do not cover damage resulting from floods. With a separate flood insurance policy, you can be sure that the insurer will pay your claim without a presidential disaster declaration.

Aside from having great peace of mind, you will receive higher reimbursement than the maximum federal disaster assistance loan or grant limit of $5,000 per household.

Finding the best flood insurance policy in Hawaii is not difficult. MoneyGeek answered the commonly asked questions to get you started.