Monday 24 February 2020

Hawaii Car Insurance

Hawaii car insurance minimum coverage requirement is composed of bodily injury and property damage liability as well as personal injury protection or managed care.  The minimum required coverage amount for bodily injury is $20,000 per person up to $40,000 per accident.  For property damage liability the minimum amount required is $10,000.  The state’s minimum liability coverage is more popularly known as the 20/40/10 coverage.  The minimum amount for personal injury protection or PIP is $10,000.

The state enforces the no-fault system with regards to auto insurance claims.  Under this system, insurance providers must pay a specified amount for the bodily injury claims without regards to the party at fault.  Generally, a no-fault system also forfeits your right to sue.

The personal injury protection plan is also included in the minimum car insurance requirement for a very important reason.  The PIP can aid the motorist and his or her passengers in paying for the medical costs of treating their injuries.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Insurance Coverage

Although the state of Hawaii does not require this particular coverage, this can prove beneficial for drivers frequently on the road.  This coverage can help you pay for the medical costs incurred in the treatment of your injuries if the other driver at fault does not have enough or does not have insurance at all.


Driving While Under the Influence of Liquor (DUI) Laws in Hawaii

Driving while under the influence of liquor in the state of Hawaii is a punishable offense.  Under Hawaiian laws, a person having blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 or above while driving is considered drunk.  You can also be considered drunk even though your BAC level is below .08 if the police authorities has judged that your driving has become impaired.

The state of Hawaii consider the driving of a motor vehicle under its jurisdiction is an implied consent on the part of the motorist that he or she will submit to an alcohol test if the police authorities request for it.  Refusal to comply and submit one’s breath, urine or blood for alcohol testing can result in the suspension of the driving license for at least a year.

First Time Offenders

In Hawaii, first time DUI offenders will face misdemeanor charges and may be required to accept several or all the following penalties.

The offender may face some jail time that can last between 2 to 5 days.
The offender may also need to pay fine in which the amount can range from $150 up to $1,000.
The driving license of the offender can also be suspended from period of 30 days up to 90 days.  If the offender’s BAC content is higher than .15, the suspension of the license can last up to 6 months.
Aside from the fine, the offender will also need to pay a trauma fund surcharge ranging from $25 up to $50.
The offender may also be ordered by the court to do community service of up to 72 hours.
Finally, the court can order the offender to undergo substance abuse education or medical treatment.Second Time Offenders

Motorists caught for the second time will still face misdemeanor charges but the penalties are higher.  Such penalties can include several or all of the following.

Second time offenders will now faced jail time of at least 5 to 14 days.
Fines for second time offenders will now range from $500 up to $1,500.
Driver’s license is suspended for at least a year for the second offense.
 The trauma fund surcharge will now range from $50 up to $75.
 The court can order the second time offender to render at least 240 hours worth of community service.
 The second time offender will have to undergo substance abuse medical treatment or education.
New DUI Law Passed in the State of Hawaii

In the beginning of 2011, the state has passed a new law which requires anyone convicted of a DUI charge to install an interlock ignition gadget or device in his or her vehicle.  Once this device detects that blood alcohol content (BAC) of the driver is beyond the legal limit, it will lock down the engine and prevent the intoxicated driver from starting the car.

This will also allow motorists whose driver’s license has been suspended to be granted temporary driving permit as long as the interlock ignition device is installed in the vehicle that they are driving.

The motorist will have to personally pay for the device which can cost to around $80 and pay a monthly rental fee of $90.

Effect of a DUI Charge on Your Car Insurance Premium

Second time DUI offenders will be required to carry a high-risk car insurance policy or otherwise known as the SR-22 car insurance for a period of at least 3 years after conviction of the DUI charge.  The term SR-22 is derived from the name of the form which an insurance provider must submit to the local DMV certifying that the driver has been issued a high-risk insurance policy and that the coverage are in compliance with the state’s minimum legal requirement.  Compared to an ordinary car insurance policy, SR-22 or high-risk car insurance are considerably more expensive.  This is just one of the financial consequences of drunk driving.

Average State Car Insurance Rate in HI

The average cost of car insurance in the state of Hawaii is around $1,140 which is quite lower than the national average of all states of around $1,436.

Top Ten Vehicles Stolen in the State of Hawaii

The following is a list of the ten most stolen car brands or models in Hawaii.  Owners of such vehicles should take the necessary precautions and may also need to install some security devices for protection against thieves.

2000 Honda Civic Si
1994 Honda Accord
1998 Dodge Caravan
1990 Toyota Camry
1995 Acura Integra GSR
2001 Dodge Ram
2001 Toyota Corolla
1986 Toyota Pickup 4×2
2001 Dodge Dakota
 1995 Nissan King Cab

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