Flood insurance in Hawaii

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Hawaii, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
65,112
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$3,875
$2,605 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$167.9M
across 6,285 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
77%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Hawaii, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2018, with $30.8 million paid on 521 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE11%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE66%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C23%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 34% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Hawaii

EventYearClaimsPaid
Hurricane Iniki19921,062$35.6 million
2026-03-KonaStorm2026422$23.1 million
Flooding1982152$3.5 million
Flooding200053$1.5 million
Flooding198894$1.3 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Hawaii with detailed pages, by number of policies

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Honolulu County45,408$4,1643,069$69.9 million
Maui County11,719$4,435819$26.1 million
Hawaii County4,094$3,192800$23.4 million
Kauai County3,827$2,5061,495$47.7 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Hawaii?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Hawaii costs about $3,875 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Hawaii?

There are about 65,112 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Hawaii, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Hawaii flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Hawaii have filed 6,285 flood claims, with $167.9 million paid out. 1,518 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.