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


Updated: October 3, 2024

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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 .

Flood insurance policies in Hawaii from the NFIP may not take effect until 30 days after purchasing the policy and around 10 days for most private insurers.

On average, Hawaiians pay about $674 per year for flood insurance.

Flood insurance covers repair and replacement costs of damage to your building and personal belongings.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance in Hawaii

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.

Average Cost of Flood Insurance by County in Hawaii

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.

Hawaii Flood Insurance Cost per County
HAWAII COUNTYAverage Cost$834
HONOLULU COUNTYAverage Cost$639
KAUAI COUNTYAverage Cost$863
MAUI COUNTYAverage Cost$664

Companies That Offer Flood Insurance 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.

Private Flood Insurance Providers in HI and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Neptune Flood

727-202-4815

Hiscox - FloodPlus

866-283-7545

FloodSimple Insurance Services

844-803-8788

Chubb

866-324-8222

Zurich Insurance Group

800-382-2150

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.

NFIP-Participating Flood Insurance Providers in State and Their Contact Numbers
Company
Contact

Allstate Insurance Company

(800) 527-2634

American Strategic Ins. Corp.

(866) 274-8765

Assurant

(800) 423-4403

Centauri Specialty Ins. Company

(866) 318-4113

Farmers Insurance Group

(866) 865-2965

First Ins. Co. Of Hawaii

(808) 527-7722

Hartford Fire Insurance Co.

(860) 547-7440

Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co.

(800) 296-7542

How to Purchase Flood Insurance and Its Coverage Requirements

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.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Hawaii?

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.

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Flood insurance policies do not cover all types of floods — only water damage to your home due to natural weather occurrences. For example, flooding from leaking appliances or burst pipes or any unnatural cause is excluded from your coverage.

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 Building Coverage

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.

Flood Insurance Contents Coverage

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.

Factors That Affect Flood Insurance Costs in Hawaii

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

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.

    building icon

    Flood Risk

    Risk Rating 2.0 determines flood insurance premiums based on a property’s flood risk level. Hawaiians pay a higher premium for properties in high-risk flood insurance zones than those in low-risk zones.

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    Coverage Type

    How much you pay for flood insurance depends on the coverage you select. Policies with limited coverage cost less than those with comprehensive coverage. Your actual premium also depends on your county of residence.

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    Deductible

    A high deductible means you will pay a lower premium for your policy. You may choose from $1,000 to $10,000 as the deductible amount, although you will pay more out of pocket once you file a claim if you choose a high deductible.

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    Age of Structure

    Flood insurance rates vary based on the time the structure was constructed. Older structures feature higher premium amounts than newer ones.

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    Structure Design

    The design and type of material used on your building influence your flood insurance costs.

Do You Need Flood Insurance in Hawaii?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii Flood Insurance

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

What is the average cost of flood insurance in Hawaii?
Which companies offer flood insurance in Hawaii?
What kind of damage does flood insurance cover?
What affects flood insurance rates in Hawaii?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.


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