What renters in Hawaii actually pay, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ 2023 Homeowners Insurance Report (published July 2026) — plus why the islands land just above the national average: hurricane deductibles, the flood gap, and the long shadow of Hurricane Iniki (1992).
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Hawaii at a glance
The figures below are the NAIC’s state average HO-4 (renters) premium for Hawaii — total premiums divided by total policies, 2023 policy year, published July 2026.
Average renters premium · Hawaii$178/yr~$15 a month · #14 of 51 states (1 = priciest) · 103% of the US average
$178/yrAverage annual premium (NAIC 2023)
~$15/moMonthly equivalent
103%Of the national average
#14 of 51Price rank (1 = priciest)
Hawaii$178/yrHawaii average · ~$15/mo
+$5/yrvs national average
National average$173/yrAll 50 states + DC
Hawaii vs the country
Mississippi · priciest state$263/yr
Louisiana$250/yr
Oklahoma$220/yr
Hawaii · your state · #14$178/yr
United States average$173/yr
South Dakota · cheapest state$125/yr
How it works: figures are the NAIC’s state average HO-4 (renters) premiums — total premiums divided by total policies, 2023 policy year, published July 2026. Monthly = annual ÷ 12. Rank is out of all 50 states + DC, priciest first. These are premiums paid, averaged across coverage amounts — a quote for a specific $30k/$100k policy will differ. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Why Hawaii sits just above the national average
Hawaii’s $178 average is 103% of the national figure and the 14th-highest in the country — $5 a year above the US average, tied with Michigan. The premium doesn’t come from wildfires or winter storms; it comes from hurricanes, ocean-adjacent pricing, and the cost of living itself.
Output · formula · meaning
Output
Formula
What it means
Average annual premium
Σ premiums ÷ policies
What the typical Hawaii renter pays per year: $178.
Monthly equivalent
annual ÷ 12
The monthly budget figure: about $15.
Index vs US average
state avg ÷ $173 × 100
Hawaii sits at 103% of the national average — $5 a year more.
Price rank
sorted, priciest first
Hawaii is #14 of 51 — tied with Michigan, well off the Gulf-state top ten.
3 things Hawaii renters should know
Hurricane season rewrites the rulebook. Official hurricane season runs June through November, and once a tropical storm is approaching the islands, Hawaii insurers can stop writing new policies outright — you cannot buy coverage in the path of the storm. Hurricane deductibles are also a separate animal: they are typically a percentage of coverage rather than a flat dollar amount (the Hawaii Insurance Division’s official sample premiums show 2% hurricane deductibles), so a major wind claim can cost you thousands out of pocket. Hurricane Iniki — the 1992 Category 4 that devastated Kauai — remains the benchmark storm every carrier’s models are built around.
Flood is never in the renters policy. Standard HO-4 policies exclude flood everywhere, and in Hawaii that gap matters: storm surge and heavy rain are the real island flood risks. Flood insurance is a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy — the Hawaii Insurance Division warns that NFIP policies carry roughly a 30-day waiting period, so buying one the week a storm forms is already too late. Basic NFIP contents policies for renters typically run on the order of $100–200 a year.
Your island and ZIP code move the price more than the state average. Rate sources show renters within a few miles of the coast paying considerably more than those far inland, and quote-site figures for Hawaii span roughly $12 to $28 a month depending on the island, coverage, and carrier. The Hawaii Insurance Division publishes official sample HO-4 premiums every year (most recently for Oahu, December 2024), so you can compare carriers on an identical renter profile instead of trusting a single quote. Shop at least three carriers — State Farm, GEICO, and Travelers are the usual statewide starting points — and ask about bundling.
Who uses this page
Military members: PCS moves to Pearl Harbor and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam — what the state average looks like before you shop.
Honolulu and Oahu newcomers: first-time island renters — is ~$15/month about right for your first policy?
Students and interns: University of Hawaii and summer programs — the flood gap and hurricane deductible, explained in plain English.
Researchers & students: the NAIC figures are public statistics — cite them with the block below.
Accuracy & limitations
These are 2023-policy-year averages published in July 2026 — the freshest official data available, but your 2026 quote will differ by island, ZIP code, building construction, coverage limits, deductible, claims history, and credit-based insurance score. Treat $178/yr as a benchmark, not a quote. In a storm year, the hurricane deductible — not the premium — is the number that matters most.
Cite this data pageBright Side Kit. “Average Renters Insurance Cost in Hawaii.” brightoolbox.com, 2026.Bright Side Kit. "Average Renters Insurance Cost in Hawaii." https://brightoolbox.com/renters-insurance-cost-hawaii/ Accessed October 22, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Is renters insurance required in Hawaii?
No state law requires it — no US state mandates renters insurance. But Hawaii landlords commonly require it as a lease condition, often with a $100,000 liability minimum. Check your lease: if it requires the policy, you need it to keep the lease.
How much is renters insurance in Hawaii per month?
The state average premium is about $15 a month ($178 a year) according to NAIC 2023 data — 103% of the national average, ranking 14th of 51 states. Quote-site figures span roughly $12–28 a month depending on the island, ZIP code, and coverage — coastal areas run higher than inland ones.
Does Hawaii renters insurance cover hurricanes?
Wind is typically a covered peril on a standard HO-4 policy, so hurricane wind damage to your belongings is usually covered. But hurricane claims carry a separate deductible — often a percentage of coverage (2% is common) rather than a flat amount — and insurers can stop writing new policies once a tropical storm approaches the islands. Flooding from the storm is excluded and needs a separate NFIP policy.
Does renters insurance cover flooding in Hawaii?
No — standard HO-4 policies exclude flood everywhere, including Hawaii. Storm surge and heavy island rain are the real flood risks here. Flood coverage is a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy with roughly a 30-day waiting period, so buy it before hurricane season, not during one.
Does renters insurance cover volcanic eruptions or earthquakes in Hawaii?
Earthquake and ground-shaking damage are excluded from standard renters policies, and a separate earthquake policy is the only fill for that gap. Damage from volcanic ash to your belongings is often covered under the “volcanic action” peril — but lava flow destroying the building is the landlord’s problem, not yours. Read your policy’s exclusions and ask your agent if you live near the East Rift Zone.
Who regulates renters insurance in Hawaii?
The Hawaii Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) licenses insurers and agents, reviews rates, and accepts consumer complaints. It also publishes official sample HO-4 renters premiums each year so consumers can compare carriers on identical profiles.