As a contractor in Hawaii, having proper insurance coverage is crucial for protecting your business, meeting state requirements, and securing contracts. This comprehensive guide breaks down the essential insurance coverages Hawaii contractors need, including costs based on our analysis of actual quotes from leading carriers.
Cement your business future by reading about building contractor insurance.
General Liability Insurance for Hawaii Contractors
General liability insurance protects your contracting business from third-party claims of property damage and bodily injury. Based on our analysis of over 800 contractor quotes, here are the typical costs for Hawaii contractors:
Average Annual Premiums by Revenue Size
| Revenue Size | Average Premium | % of Revenue | Favorable Rate | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500K | $4,600 | 0.9% | $4,500 | 2% |
| $1M | $8,400 | 0.8% | $6,600 | 21% |
| $2.5M | $18,900 | 0.8% | $14,400 | 24% |
These premiums assume:
- Clean claims history (5+ years without incidents)
- Standard $1M/$2M coverage limits
- Typical mix of residential and commercial work
- Approximately 10% subcontractor costs
Worker’s Compensation Insurance for Hawaii Contractors
Worker’s compensation insurance is mandatory for Hawaii contractors with employees. Based on our analysis, Hawaii contractors typically pay around $5,843 per employee annually for workers’ compensation coverage.
Key premium factors include:
- Employee classification codes
- Annual payroll
- Claims history
- Safety programs
- Experience modifier rating (EMR)
For Hawaii contractors, typical workers’ compensation costs per $100,000 of payroll average $10,600, which is moderate compared to other states.
Common contractor classification codes and their approximate rates in Hawaii:
- Code 5606 (Project Manager/Supervisor): $3-5 per $100 of payroll
- Code 5645 (Residential Construction): $8-12 per $100 of payroll
- Code 5403 (Commercial/Large Projects): $12-17 per $100 of payroll
Additional Business Insurance for Contractors in Hawaii
1. Commercial Auto Insurance
- Typical cost: $1,000-$4,000 per vehicle annually
- Required for business-owned vehicles
- Higher limits often needed for larger contractors
- Coverage for property damage and bodily injury
- Protection for both owned and hired vehicles
2. Tools & Equipment Coverage
- Cost: $1,500-$5,000+ annually for $15k-$50k coverage
- Protects both owned and rented equipment
- Coverage follows equipment to all jobsites
- Protection against theft, damage, and vandalism
- Includes coverage during transport
3. Commercial Property Insurance
- Protects offices, storage facilities, and workshops
- Annual premiums: $2,000-$20,000+ based on property value
- Coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters
- Protection for business personal property
- Coverage for permanently installed equipment
4. Builder’s Risk Insurance
- Premium: 0.15-0.75% of project value
- Covers projects under construction
- Protection against fire, weather, vandalism
- Coverage for materials in transit
- Protection for temporary structures
5. Contractor License Bonds
- May be required for specific project types
- Required for certain Hawaii contractor licenses
- Typical cost: 1-3% of bond amount
- Premium varies based on credit and experience
- Protects clients against contract defaults
Get Hawaii Contractor Liability with ContractorNerd
ContractorNerd specializes in making insurance simple and data-driven for Hawaii contractors. Our platform offers:
- Instant online quotes from top-rated carriers
- Side-by-side coverage comparisons
- Contractor-specific expertise and guidance
- Streamlined application process
- Ongoing policy management support
- Claims advocacy when needed
Our team of contractor insurance specialists understands Hawaii’s unique requirements and can help you:
- Optimize coverage levels based on your specific risks
- Find competitive rates through our carrier network
- Bundle policies for additional savings
- Ensure compliance with state regulations and contract requirements
To get started with tailored quotes for your Hawaii contracting business, visit our online quote tool or speak with one of our contractor insurance specialists today.