Hawaii Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: 20/40/10 & No-Fault PIP Exclusion (2026)

Quick Answer: Hawaii Minimum Motorcycle Insurance

Hawaii requires all registered motorcycles to carry minimum liability insurance. The state minimums are 20/40/10:

Written as: 20/40/10

Hawaii is a no-fault state for automobiles — but motorcycles are excluded from the mandatory no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) requirement. Auto drivers must carry $10,000 PIP. Motorcycle riders receive no such benefit — injured riders must pursue recovery through the at-fault (tort) system. Helmets are required for all riders and passengers under 18; eye protection is required for all operators.

---

Hawaii Motorcycle Insurance Law

Hawaii's vehicle insurance requirements are governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 431:10C — the Motor Vehicle Insurance Law. Hawaii operates a mandatory no-fault PIP system: automobile drivers must carry at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection, which covers medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault.

Motorcycles are explicitly excluded from this PIP mandate. The no-fault personal injury protection requirement applies to "motor vehicles" as defined in HRS § 431:10C-103, which excludes motorcycles by classification. This creates a significant coverage gap — motorcycle riders are the only major class of road users in Hawaii without automatic first-party medical coverage.

Hawaii's Insurance Division (HID) within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) oversees insurance compliance. The state uses electronic verification — insurers must report policy status, and the Division of Motor Vehicles cross-checks coverage at registration.

---

Required Coverage Breakdown

Liability Insurance (20/40/10)

Hawaii's 20/40/10 minimum is notably lower than the 25/50/25 standard used by many US states. The breakdown:

• $20,000 maximum per injured person
• $40,000 maximum per accident across all injured parties
• $10,000 for damage to the other vehicle or property

Hawaii consistently ranks among the most expensive states for healthcare. Emergency room visits and ambulance transport on islands — where hospital capacity is limited and specialty care may require inter-island transport — frequently exceed $20,000. The state minimum bodily injury coverage provides limited protection in serious accidents.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Hawaii requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage. Riders who want UM protection must confirm it is included on their policy declarations page — some policies require explicit election.

Hawaii's uninsured driver rate is lower than the national average, reflecting the island market's relatively high insurance compliance rates. However, visitor vehicles and rental cars present a distinct risk: rental car agreements may include liability coverage that meets Hawaii minimums but not necessarily the amounts needed to cover serious injuries.

No-Fault PIP — Excluded for Motorcyclists

Hawaii automobile drivers benefit from mandatory no-fault PIP: $10,000 in medical coverage, lost wages, and funeral benefits paid immediately regardless of who caused the accident. This speeds up medical cost recovery dramatically.

Motorcycle riders receive none of this. After an accident:

• Medical bills begin immediately with no automatic PIP offset
• Recovery from the at-fault driver requires establishing negligence — a process that may take months
• If the other driver is uninsured, only UM coverage provides a direct path to compensation
• Health insurance covers medical bills but may seek reimbursement from any tort recovery

Coverages Not Required (But Worth Considering)

MedPay is the most critical optional coverage for Hawaii motorcycle riders. It provides the same immediate medical cost benefit that PIP provides to auto drivers — covering your bills regardless of fault and without waiting for a liability determination.

Comprehensive coverage has particular value in Hawaii due to island-specific risks: hurricane and tropical storm damage, salt air and coastal weather, higher theft rates in some tourist-heavy areas, and volcanic activity risks on the Big Island.

---

Hawaii Helmet and Protective Gear Requirements

Hawaii's helmet law applies to riders and passengers under 18 years of age under HRS § 291-194. Riders and passengers who are 18 or older are not required by state law to wear a helmet.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation recommends helmets for all riders regardless of age — given the no-fault PIP exclusion and high healthcare costs on the islands, this recommendation carries significant practical weight.

Eye protection: All Hawaii motorcycle operators must wear eye protection — goggles, glasses, or a face shield — unless the motorcycle is equipped with an approved windshield meeting applicable standards. This requirement applies to all riders regardless of age.

Protective gear beyond helmets and eye protection is not mandated by Hawaii law. However, the riding environment — salt spray on coastal roads, loose volcanic gravel on Big Island routes, strong trade winds on exposed highways — creates meaningful injury risk that gear significantly reduces.

---

Hawaii's Island-by-Island Riding Environment

Oahu: Hawaii's most populated island and the seat of state government. Honolulu metro area offers urban riding with high traffic density, particularly on H-1. The Pali Highway (HI-61) crosses the Ko'olau Mountains with sweeping views and frequent rain. Kaneohe and the Windward side offer scenic coastal riding. North Shore roads lead to iconic surf spots and carry heavy tourist traffic.

Maui: The Hana Highway (HI-360) is one of the most famous motorcycle routes in the United States — 620 curves, 59 bridges, narrow lanes, and spectacular coastal scenery. Road conditions on the Hana Highway require slow, careful riding. The Haleakalā Highway climbs to 10,000 feet, creating rapid weather transitions. Road to Hana visitors frequently include inexperienced mainland tourists in rental cars.

Big Island (Hawaii Island): The largest island by land area. Elevation ranges from sea level to 13,796 feet (Mauna Kea). Active volcanic zones managed by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can affect road access. Volcanic rock and ash surfaces in lava flow areas provide different traction characteristics than standard asphalt. Saddle Road (HI-200) crosses between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa at high elevation with fog and rain common.

Kauai: The "Garden Isle" has the highest average rainfall in the US at its summit. Road infrastructure is simpler than Oahu — primary riding is on Kuhio Highway (HI-56) along the north and east coasts. The Na Pali Coast is only accessible on foot or by water — no road access.

Hurricane and storm exposure: Hurricane season runs June through November. While major direct landfalls are relatively rare, tropical storms and Kona storms generate heavy rain and strong winds during winter months. Comprehensive coverage is the only protection against storm damage to a parked or stored motorcycle.

---

Who Must Carry Motorcycle Insurance in Hawaii

Required for:

• All motorcycles registered in Hawaii
• All motorcycles operated on Hawaii public roads and highways
• Mopeds above Hawaii's moped classification threshold (verify current engine and speed limits with Hawaii DMV)

Not required for:

• Off-road motorcycles used exclusively on private property or designated OHV areas
• Motorcycles with surrendered registration not operated on public roads

Visitors and non-residents:

• Mainland visitors shipping motorcycles to Hawaii must carry coverage meeting Hawaii's 20/40/10 minimums. Shipping a motorcycle between Hawaii and the mainland requires advance planning — shipping costs are significant and transit times vary.
• Rental motorcycles are available on Oahu and Maui. Rental agreements typically include minimum liability coverage — confirm coverage amounts before riding.

---

Penalties for Riding Without Insurance in Hawaii

Hawaii's continuous electronic verification system flags coverage lapses. Registration cannot be renewed without proof of current insurance. The combination of fines, suspension, and reinstatement requirements makes uninsured riding significantly more expensive than maintaining a basic policy.

---

Recommended Coverage Beyond Minimums

---

How to Get Motorcycle Insurance in Hawaii

Hawaii's island insurance market is smaller than mainland markets. Fewer carriers actively write motorcycle policies in Hawaii — some mainland insurers do not write Hawaii motorcycle coverage at all. Working with an agent familiar with the Hawaii market is particularly important.

When applying, have ready:

• Hawaii driver's license and motorcycle endorsement details
• Motorcycle VIN, year, make, and model
• Garaging location (island, city, and ZIP code)
• Estimated annual mileage
• Prior violations, claims, and insurance history

Premium factors in Hawaii:

• Oahu ZIP codes (Honolulu metro, Pearl Harbor area) carry higher premiums than neighbor islands in most lines
• Tourist-heavy areas on Maui (Lahaina corridor, Wailea) may carry higher rates due to rental car interaction frequency
• Salt air and coastal storage affect comprehensive premiums
• MSF course completion: typically 5–15% discount where available
• Military riders stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hickam, Kaneohe Bay, Schofield, or other installations may qualify for military discounts

---

FAQ

Does Hawaii require helmets for all motorcycle riders?

No. Hawaii requires helmets for riders and passengers under 18. Riders and passengers who are 18 or older are not required by state law to wear helmets, though the Hawaii DOT strongly recommends them given the no-fault PIP exclusion and island healthcare costs.

Does Hawaii's no-fault PIP apply to motorcycle riders?

No. Hawaii's mandatory no-fault PIP coverage — which provides $10,000 in automatic medical benefits to automobile drivers — explicitly excludes motorcycles. Riders must rely on MedPay, health insurance, or tort recovery for medical costs after an accident.

Why are Hawaii's motorcycle minimums 20/40/10 instead of the 25/50/25 used by most states?

Hawaii's minimums were set at 20/40/10 under the original Hawaii motor vehicle insurance law and have not been updated to match the trend toward higher minimums in other states. The practical effect is that Hawaii's minimum bodily injury coverage provides less protection in serious accidents than most mainland states.

What eye protection is required in Hawaii?

All motorcycle operators must wear goggles, glasses, or a face shield unless the motorcycle has an approved windshield. This applies to all riders regardless of age.

What are the penalties for riding without insurance in Hawaii?

Fines up to $500 for first offense, plus license and registration suspension. Hawaii's electronic system detects coverage lapses at registration renewal and during vehicle checks.

Is lane splitting legal in Hawaii?

No. Lane splitting and filtering are not currently legal in Hawaii. Motorcycles must follow standard lane-use rules.

Can I bring my mainland motorcycle to Hawaii?

Yes — but shipping between the mainland and Hawaii requires advance planning and carries significant cost. Your existing mainland policy typically extends to Hawaii if it meets Hawaii's 20/40/10 minimums. Confirm with your insurer before making the trip.

---

Summary

Hawaii motorcycle insurance at a glance:

• Minimum liability: 20/40/10 — lower than most US states
• No-fault PIP: Excluded for motorcycles — tort rules apply
• MedPay: Not required but fills the critical gap left by the PIP exclusion
• Helmets: Required under 18 only; eye protection required for all operators
• Comprehensive: Strongly recommended for hurricane, salt air, and tourist-area theft exposure
• Island market: Fewer carrier options; work with agents familiar with Hawaii

Hawaii's no-fault motorcycle exclusion combined with high island healthcare costs creates a unique coverage planning challenge. MedPay provides the immediate medical cost protection that PIP would otherwise offer — making it a near-essential addition to any Hawaii motorcycle policy.

---

Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about Hawaii motorcycle insurance requirements based on publicly available sources. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change, and individual circumstances vary. Always verify current requirements with the Hawaii Insurance Division (cca.hawaii.gov/ins) and the Hawaii Department of Transportation (hidot.hawaii.gov), and consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last verified: March 2026
Sources: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 431:10C, HRS § 291-194, Hawaii Insurance Division (DCCA), Hawaii Department of Transportation