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Homeowners Insurance in Hawaii

Checked against official sources · Last reviewed October 13, 2026

Since January 1, 2026, a Hawaii insurer that won't renew your home policy must mail you written notice at least 30 days ahead, and most cancellations need at least 20 days' notice (10 days for nonpayment or material misrepresentation). If private insurers turn you down, the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA) is the state's last-resort plan; the Insurance Division calls it "essentially the insurer of last resort" in Hawaii Island's lava zones 1 and 2. HPIA policies do not cover hurricane, so hurricane coverage is a separate question. The Insurance Division takes questions and complaints at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222). [1][2][3][4][5][6]

At a glance

Nonrenewal notice
At least 30 days, in writing Not valid without evidence of mailing (HRS 431:10-226.5) [1]
Cancellation notice (homes and other residential property)
At least 20 days 10 days if for nonpayment or material misrepresentation (since Jan. 1, 2026) [1][2]
Last-resort insurer
Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA), after two declinations No hurricane, flood or earthquake coverage [4][5][7]
Condo association hurricane coverage
Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, excess hurricane policies for associations whose buildings are insured for more than $10 million [8]
Consumer help line
1-844-808-DCCA (3222), 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hawaii time, Monday to Friday [6]
FAIR planHawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA)Who qualifies, what it covers, how to apply →
State insurance regulatorHawaii Insurance Division (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) (844) 808-3222 · File a complaint

What homeowners insurance costs in Hawaii: average premium, 2023 $1,549 a year in Hawaii vs. $1,737 countrywide · 27th highest of 51 · All states (HO-3 policies; NAIC)

On this page
  1. At a glance
  2. Hawaii's insurance market right now
  3. If your insurer cancels or won't renew
  4. Last resort: the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA)
  5. Hurricane coverage is usually separate
  6. Condo associations: new options since 2025
  7. After the 2023 Maui wildfires
  8. Discounts for protecting your home
  9. Surplus lines
  10. Flood is a separate policy
  11. Where to get help
  12. Questions people ask
  13. FEMA disaster history
  14. Hail, wind and wildfire

Hawaii's insurance market right now

In its 2025 annual report (fiscal year 2024-2025), the Insurance Division said availability of homeowners, renters and condo unit coverage "remains good, though insurers have begun to tighten their underwriting." The exception is the highest-risk lava zones 1 and 2 on Hawaii Island, "where Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA) is essentially the insurer of last resort." The other problem area is insurance for condominium associations whose buildings are aging, have significant deferred maintenance, or are in disrepair.

On hurricane coverage, the same report said the number of hurricane insurers has stabilized, but insurers keep tightening underwriting, and the Division "continued to see larger than typical increases" in hurricane rates. "Many condominium master policies continue to be written in the surplus market."

Some numbers from the Division:

- Homeowners premiums written in Hawaii were $562.2 million in 2024, up 13.38% from $495.9 million in 2023. Homeowners losses paid were $365.2 million in 2024, down from $1.16 billion in 2023, the year of the Maui wildfires. - Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires and wind (including the Maui wildfires): in the Division's data call, as of Dec. 31, 2025, insurers reported $1.49 billion paid on 5,323 residential property claims (1,732 of them total losses), with estimated residential losses of $1.63 billion. Across all lines, paid losses were $3.03 billion on 10,201 claims. - Condo master policies: the Division's January 2025 market paper reported that industry professionals had seen premium increases averaging 300%-500% for wood-frame condos and 50%-200% for concrete high-rises.

2026 has been a stormy year. The Insurance Commissioner's Memorandum 2026-8A (Sept. 10, 2026) lists the Kona low storms in March, Tropical Storm/Hurricane Lala in August and Hurricane Lowell. It asks insurers, through Jan. 7, 2027, to refrain from cancelling or nonrenewing for nonpayment during this hardship, to grant a reasonable grace period and payment plans, and to waive late fees. That memo is a request to insurers, not an order; ask your insurer what it is offering. [3][9][10][11]

If your insurer cancels or won't renew

Hawaii's notice law is HRS 431:10-226.5. Act 110 (2025) added rules for policies on property "used for residential purposes, including multi-family residential properties," effective January 1, 2026:

What the insurer doesMinimum written notice
Nonrenews (won't renew at the end of the term)30 days before the nonrenewal date
Cancels mid-term20 days before the cancellation date
Cancels for nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation10 days before the cancellation date

Before 2026, a mid-term cancellation needed only 10 days' notice. If your policy promises a longer notice period, the longer period applies. The law also says a cancellation or nonrenewal "shall not be deemed valid unless evidence of mailing the written notice is provided."

The Insurance Commissioner's Memorandum 2025-6R says these rules cover both personal and commercial policies when the insured property is used at least partly for residential purposes, including single-family homes, multi-family buildings and condo units, so they also reach a condo building's master policy.

The notice law sets time periods; it does not list required reasons. A 2026 bill (SB 2965) that would have required insurers to give factual reasons for a nonrenewal and a chance to fix correctable issues was referred to committee on Jan. 30, 2026, and shows no later action.

Lava zones: when the Mayor of Hawaii County has declared a state of emergency because of a lava-flow threat, an insurer may nonrenew no more than 5% of its policies in force in that lava zone per calendar year. It can still cancel or nonrenew for unpaid premium after reasonable demand, or if the commissioner finds its financial soundness would be impaired (HRS 431:10E-142). [1][2][12][13][14]

Hawaii's FEMA disaster record since 2000

Federal disaster declarations for Hawaii, counted from FEMA's official declarations data. A "major disaster" declaration brings federal recovery aid; a "fire management" declaration helps pay to fight a wildfire that threatens homes.

3Hurricanes and tropical storms3 major disasters
25Wildfires1 major disaster · 24 fire management
8Severe storms and tornadoes8 major disasters
6Floods6 major disasters

Most recent

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, downloaded 2026-10-14. Each declaration counted once, however many counties it covers. Flood history and flood insurance: FloodHawk.

Hail, wind and wildfire in Hawaii

NOAA's Storm Events Database logs very few hail, thunderstorm wind or tornado reports in Hawaii (fewer than 5 a year on average, 2016 to 2025), so they aren't shown here.

Wildfire

Homes in Hawaii have, on average, greater wildfire risk than 88% of states, and greater wildfire likelihood (the chance of a wildfire burning in any given year) than 84% of states, according to the USDA Forest Service.

Of Hawaii's 425,808 buildings, 27% are in the Forest Service's direct exposure zone (they may be ignited by flammable vegetation next to them, as well as by embers), 59% in the indirect exposure zone (embers or a neighboring burning building), and 15% have minimal exposure.

Source: USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities (state data table updated April 15, 2026). The Forest Service says its ratings describe communities, not individual homes; they don't reflect work owners have done to lower their risk, and the tool isn't designed for insurance companies, which do their own wildfire assessments.

Wildland fires and acres burned in Hawaii
YearFiresAcres
2021140,000
2022525,053
202321412,059
202490452
202593,299

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center annual reports (table "Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State and Agency", from the SIT/209 reporting system). Each year counts only the agencies listed for Hawaii in that year's table, so a big change between years can come from which agencies reported.

2026 so far: 509 acres burned in wildfires reported to the national interagency fire-incident system (IRWIN) for Hawaii, as of October 14, 2026. Preliminary: from NIFC's year-to-date wildfire locations (WFIGS), which doesn't include every state and local fire and isn't comparable to the annual totals above.

Last resort: the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA)

HPIA calls itself the insurer of "last resort." It is a nonprofit association that every property and casualty insurer licensed in Hawaii must belong to, and members share its profits and losses in proportion to their Hawaii premiums. The 1991 Legislature created it for homeowners who couldn't buy coverage because of the volcanic eruption in lava zones 1 and 2 on Hawaii Island. Today HPIA says coverage is available to eligible owners "in all locations in the State of Hawaii, or as designated by the Insurance Commissioner."

What to know before you apply:

- The property must have been declined by at least two licensed insurers that write residential property insurance. - You apply through any Hawaii-licensed property and casualty agent. HPIA has no employees of its own and asks you to work through your agent. - Dwelling limits run from $50,000 to $450,000. - HPIA policies exclude hurricane, flood and earthquake, and you sign an acknowledgment saying so. - HPIA says its premium "is one of the highest in the State" for the types of policies it issues, and it recommends shopping for other coverage at least once a year.

Details, forms and limits are on our Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA) page. Other states' last-resort plans are listed in our FAIR plan guide. [5][7][15][16][17][18]

Hurricane coverage is usually separate

The Insurance Division's homeowners guide says most homeowners and condo unit-owner policies "will not protect you from a flood, a hurricane, or an earthquake loss," and that "Your mortgage lender may require you to purchase a separate flood or hurricane policy." Its September 2026 storm flyer says hurricane coverage "may be provided through a separate policy or endorsement" and "may have its own deductible."

Check your hurricane policy for what starts coverage. The Division's hurricane FAQ says most companies use a "72-hour clause": damage in the 72 hours after the Central Pacific Hurricane Center issues a hurricane watch or warning is covered under the hurricane policy. After Lala, the Division pointed out that a hurricane watch or warning "is not the same as the cyclone itself being classified as a hurricane," so coverage and deductible questions depend on your policy's own definitions.

HPIA cannot fill this gap: state law says nothing in its coverage section authorizes HPIA "to provide hurricane coverage." The state's Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (see the next section) currently insures condominium and townhouse associations only, not individual homes or units.

More on how hurricane deductibles work: hurricane deductibles. [4][8][19][20][21][22]

Condo associations: new options since 2025

Act 296 (2025), effective July 1, 2025, was the Legislature's response to the condo master-policy crisis. It found that condo deductibles had climbed from "$10,000 to $25,000 per unit, per occurrence, to as much as $250,000," and called the Act "a stop-gap measure."

Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF). Created in 1993 after Hurricane Iniki, dormant after Dec. 1, 2000, and reactivated by the Governor in 2024, the HHRF began taking applications on June 24, 2025. As of Oct. 13, 2026, its page says it is accepting applications from condominium and townhouse associations (AOAOs). To qualify, an association must have been denied hurricane coverage by at least two licensed insurers and have buildings insured for more than $10 million. The policy is excess, hurricane-only coverage that pays only above a primary hurricane policy of at least $10 million, with a fixed 2% per building deductible and a one-year term that must be re-applied for each year. The HHRF page gives a maximum policy of $140 million; an Insurance Division homeowners FAQ describes the layer as "up to $90 million." Applications go through a Hawaii-licensed producer to the servicing companies, and new applications are not accepted during a hurricane watch or warning or until 72 hours after it ends.

HPIA for condo buildings. Act 296 lets HPIA insure registered condominium associations (not for hurricane), after an inspection and a review of the association's governing documents. A high-rise (four or more residential stories) can stay with HPIA for no more than 60 months. HPIA may also add coverage for single-family homes, townhouses or other property if HPIA finds, and the commissioner approves, a market failure. As of Oct. 13, 2026, we found no condo master-policy program announced on HPIA's website.

Repair loans. The Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority's Condominium Association Loan Program, created by the same Act, says it is "currently on hold" (checked Oct. 13, 2026). Its rules were approved May 7, 2026, and new commitments may be made through June 30, 2027, based on funding availability. [8][15][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]

After the 2023 Maui wildfires

The Insurance Commissioner's response to the August 8, 2023 wildfires came as requests to insurers, not binding orders:

- Memorandum 2023-3A (Aug. 16, 2023), clarified by 2023-7A (Nov. 27, 2023): asked insurers to refrain from cancelling or nonrenewing for nonpayment, grant grace periods and payment plans, and waive late fees, "at least until March 5, 2024." - Memorandum 2023-5A (Sept. 14, 2023): encouraged insurers to "voluntarily provide policyholders at least 36 months" of additional living expenses (ALE), subject to policy limits. - Memorandum 2025-1A (June 12, 2025): "strongly encourages" insurers to extend or be flexible with deadlines for rebuilding and replacing property to qualify for replacement cost coverage.

The Division urged policyholders to contact their insurers directly about these requests. If you are still working through a Maui wildfire claim, ask your insurer whether it is applying them to your policy.

New underinsurance law. The Legislature found that "the 2023 Maui wildfires revealed that many homeowners were severely underinsured." Act 256 (2026), effective January 1, 2027, requires your homeowners insurance agent to send you a paper notice at least once every two years inviting you to report improvements to your home. If you send that information, your insurer must re-estimate the replacement cost and, if your dwelling limit is lower, offer you more coverage. That offer must include the premium, stay open 30 days and be renewed annually. [30][31][32][33]

Discounts for protecting your home

The Insurance Division's hurricane FAQ says homes can be strengthened with hurricane clips for roof-to-wall connections, window opening protection and roof-to-ground tie-downs, and that "Some homeowner's insurance companies provide premium credits or discounts for these types of retrofits." Ask your insurer which credits it gives. The Division also publishes a Guide to Hurricane Strengthening for Hawaii Single-Family Residences (dated December 2015).

Its homeowners FAQ adds that updates to electrical, plumbing or roof covering "could result in premium credits," and lists smoke detectors, deadbolts, monitored security systems, alarms and sprinklers as possible discounts. [21][25][34]

Surplus lines

Surplus lines insurers are companies not licensed (admitted) in Hawaii that may write coverage the licensed market won't. They are a big part of Hawaii's market: surplus lines premiums written in Hawaii were $788.8 million in 2024, up 33.09% from $592.7 million in 2023, according to the Insurance Commissioner's 2025 report. In Act 296, the Legislature described the "excess and surplus lines market" as "insurers that are not licensed in the State" and noted that some condo buildings are unwilling to buy that coverage "because of its high price." More: surplus lines insurance. [3][23]

Flood is a separate policy

The Insurance Division says "Flood damage is generally not covered by a standard homeowners policy," and that separate flood insurance, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private company, covers things like storm surge and flooding from heavy rain. It adds that you do not have to live in a high-risk flood zone to be flooded. For flood zones and flood insurance, see our sister site FloodHawk. [20]

Where to get help

The Insurance Division encourages you to talk with one of its investigators before filing a complaint, since some problems can be resolved without one. Call 1-844-808-DCCA (3222), 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hawaii time, Monday to Friday except state holidays. To file, use the online complaint form on the Division's Filing a Complaint page, or email insurance@dcca.hawaii.gov.

Hawaii Island residents with lava-zone insurance questions can use the same toll-free number. In its 2025 annual report, the Division said it received 617 complaints in fiscal year 2024-2025, 210 of them about fire/homeowners insurance. [3][6][25][35][36]

Questions people ask

How much notice does a Hawaii insurer have to give before dropping my home insurance?

For a nonrenewal, at least 30 days in writing. For a mid-term cancellation of a policy on residential property, at least 20 days, or 10 days if the reason is nonpayment or material misrepresentation (rules in effect since Jan. 1, 2026). The notice isn't valid without evidence it was mailed. [1][2]

Does Hawaii homeowners insurance cover hurricanes?

Usually not. The Insurance Division says most homeowners and condo unit-owner policies won't cover a hurricane loss, and lenders may require a separate hurricane policy. Hurricane coverage can come as a separate policy or endorsement with its own deductible. [19][20]

What can I do if no company will insure my house in lava zone 1 or 2?

Ask any Hawaii-licensed property and casualty agent to apply to the Hawaii Property Insurance Association. You need two declinations first. HPIA covers fire and other basic perils, but not hurricane, flood or earthquake. [3][5][7][15]

Can our condo association get hurricane insurance from the state?

Possibly. The Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund sells excess, hurricane-only master policies to condo and townhouse associations that were denied hurricane coverage by two licensed insurers and whose buildings are insured for more than $10 million. The association still needs a primary hurricane policy of at least $10 million. Apply through a licensed producer. [8]

My Maui wildfire claim isn't finished. Do I get more time?

The Insurance Commissioner has asked insurers to give at least 36 months of additional living expenses and to be flexible about rebuilding deadlines for replacement cost coverage, but these are requests, not orders. Ask your insurer what it will allow, and call the Insurance Division at 1-844-808-DCCA (3222) if you need help. [6][31][32]

Sources (36)
  1. HRS 431:10-226.5 Notice of cancellation or nonrenewal; notice of cancellation or nonrenewal for policies of property insurance, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  2. Act 110, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025 (S.B. 752), approved May 29, 2025, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  3. 2025 Annual Report of the Insurance Commissioner of Hawaii (summary of insurance business for 2024), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  4. HRS 431:21-109 Insurance coverages available under plan, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  5. Acknowledgement of Hurricane, Flood and Earthquake Coverage Exclusion (form HPIAHURRFLEQ 092023), Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  6. Filing a Complaint, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  7. Submission Guidelines, Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  8. Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  9. 2023 Wind and Wildfire Damage Data Call (data as of 12/31/2025), Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  10. Hawaii Insurance Market Stabilization Recommendations (January 14, 2025), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  11. Commissioner's Memorandum 2026-8A: Request Regarding Policyholders Affected by Hurricane Lowell, Tropical Storm and Hurricane Lala, and the Kona Low (Sept. 10, 2026), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  12. Commissioner's Memorandum 2025-6R: Notice of Cancellation or Nonrenewal for Residential Property Insurance Policies (Aug. 26, 2025), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  13. SB2965 (2026): Relating to Property Insurance, measure status, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  14. HRS 431:10E-142 Provisions for properties in lava zones in the county of Hawaii, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  15. Welcome/History of HPIA, Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  16. FAQ, Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  17. Eligible Areas, Hawaii Property Insurance Association. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  18. HRS 431:21-103 Creation of association, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  19. Homeowners Insurance Information, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  20. Insurance Coverage After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm (updated September 2026), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  21. Frequently Asked Questions on Hurricane Insurance, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  22. Commissioner's Memorandum 2026-7A, Attachment A: Tropical Cyclone Lala Insurance Timeline, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  23. Act 296, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025 (S.B. 1044), Relating to the Stabilization of Property Insurance, approved July 7, 2025, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  24. Commissioner's Memorandum 2025-2A: Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to Start Accepting Applications (June 20, 2025), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  25. Homeowners Insurance FAQ's, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  26. HRS 431:21-102 Definitions (Hawaii Property Insurance Association), Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  27. HRS 431:21-106 Plan of operation, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  28. HRS 431:21-107 Coverage eligibility, Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  29. Condominium Association Loan Program, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  30. Commissioner's Memorandum 2023-7A: Clarifying Memorandum 2023-3A (Nov. 27, 2023), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  31. Commissioner's Memorandum 2023-5A: Request Regarding Policyholders Affected by the August 2023 Wildfires on Maui Island (Sept. 14, 2023), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  32. Commissioner's Memorandum 2025-1A: Request Regarding Policyholders Affected by the August 2023 Wildfires on Maui Island (June 12, 2025), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  33. S.B. 2964, C.D. 1 (Act 256, 2026), Relating to Property Insurance, with Governor's Message No. 1358 (July 14, 2026), Hawaii State Legislature. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  34. Guide to Hurricane Strengthening for Hawaii Single-Family Residences (December 2015), Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  35. Insurance Division, Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  36. Lava Flow Insurance Information, Hawaii Insurance Division. Accessed October 13, 2026.

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