General information, not insurance advice. This article explains flood insurance pricing in Hawaii using published FEMA data. It is not a quote and not advice about what coverage you should buy. Confirm your coverage with a licensed Hawaii insurance agent.
Last verified: 12 November 2026.
The short answer
The average NFIP flood insurance premium in Hawaii is $806 a year across 61,568 policies written or renewed in the trailing 12 months to 31 August 2026 (OpenFEMA NFIP Policies data, snapshot 3 August 2026). But the average hides a wide spread — the zone is the biggest single driver:
| FEMA flood zone | What it means | Hawaii policies | Average premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone X | Lower risk (outside the SFHA) | 10,637 | $815/yr |
| Zone AE | High risk, riverine/coastal flooding, base flood elevation set | 33,917 | $691/yr |
| Zone A | High risk, no base flood elevation set | 1,143 | $831/yr |
| Zone AO | High risk, shallow sheet flooding | 8,043 | $633/yr |
| Zone AH | High risk, shallow ponding | 1,182 | $1,466/yr |
| Zone VE | High risk, coastal with wave action | 6,062 | $1,428/yr |
| Zone D | Undetermined risk | 574 | $1,782/yr |
| Zone V | Coastal, no base flood elevation | 10 | $3,554/yr |
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Policies API via FloodZone Hawaii page (updated August 2026). National NFIP average: about $955/year (FludZone’s policy-weighted national figure; its Hawaii page cites $915, which conflicts with its own national page).
Zone averages are risk-rated premium only — they exclude the Federal Policy Fee, HFIAA surcharge and Reserve Fund Assessment, so actual bills run higher.
Note the counterintuitive result: Zone X (“low risk”) averages $815 — more than Zone AE’s $691. Under Risk Rating 2.0, premiums are set per property (elevation, distance to water, replacement cost), not by zone alone. A Zone X home close to the coast can cost more than a Zone AE home on high ground.
How Risk Rating 2.0 changed pricing
FEMA’s current pricing method, Risk Rating 2.0, took effect for new policies on 1 October 2021 and for renewals on 1 April 2022. It replaced zone-based pricing with property-level pricing. What goes into your premium now:
- Elevation relative to the base flood elevation (BFE).
- Distance to water (coast, river, stream).
- Replacement cost of the structure.
- Flood frequency and severity for the specific location.
- Prior claims on the property.
Annual premium increases for primary homes are capped at 18% per year until the policy reaches its full-risk rate. That cap is why some premiums rise every year even without a claim — the property is still climbing toward its full-risk price.
What NFIP covers
- Dwelling: up to $250,000.
- Contents: up to $100,000.
- Waiting period: 30 days before coverage takes effect.
- Not covered: wind damage, sewer backup (needs an endorsement), earth movement, damage below the lowest elevated floor in some cases, and anything above the $250,000/$100,000 caps.
If your rebuild value is above $250,000 — common in Hawaii — you need excess flood insurance (private) on top of the NFIP policy.
Cost by county
| County | NFIP policies (trailing 12 mo) | Average premium |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide Hawaii | 61,568 | $806/yr |
| Hawaii County (Big Island) | 4,069 | $1,102/yr |
| Honolulu (Oahu) | — | ~$655/yr (1-800-Insurance, Honolulu NFIP average) |
Hawaii County runs higher ($1,102) because of its VE/A exposure on the Kona and Hilo coasts. Honolulu’s $655 figure from 1-800-Insurance is a city-level average and differs from the statewide $806 — use the zone table above for the most useful estimate, not the state average.
The June 2026 Oahu remap
FEMA’s updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Oahu took effect 10 June 2026 (Hawaii DCCA Commissioner’s Memorandum 2026-3A, 7 April 2026). The update changed the flood designation of over 3,500 parcels; reporting puts the number newly placed into Special Flood Hazard Areas at roughly 3,492–3,700, with zones redrawn along nearly 100 miles of streams.
If your parcel was remapped:
- Lender requirement: a federally backed mortgage lender can now require flood insurance. You have 45 days from the lender’s notice before the lender can force-place a policy.
- Newly Mapped discount: buy within 12 months of the map change for a 70% discount on the first $35,000 of building coverage and $10,000 of contents, phasing out over time (FEMA’s consumer guidance says 12 months; the regulation, 44 CFR §61.11, allows 13 months).
- Appeal: FEMA’s Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) / Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) process. The current map stays in effect during review.
Discounts
| Discount | Who gets it | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu CRS | All NFIP policyholders in the City & County of Honolulu | 10% off automatically |
| Hawaii County CRS Class 7 | NFIP policyholders in the SFHA in Hawaii County | Up to 15% off |
| Newly Mapped | Parcels remapped June 2026, policy bought within 12 months | 70% off first $35k building + $10k contents, phasing out (FEMA’s consumer guidance says 12 months; the regulation, 44 CFR §61.11, allows 13 months) |
| Higher deductible | Anyone who chooses a larger NFIP deductible | Premium reduction (amount varies) |
| Elevation certificate | Homes elevated above BFE | Can materially reduce the Risk Rating 2.0 premium |
CRS = FEMA’s Community Rating System, which rewards communities for flood mitigation beyond NFIP minimums. Four Hawaii communities participate (FEMA CRS, April 2026).
NFIP vs private flood insurance
| NFIP | Private flood | |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling limit | $250,000 max | Often $1M+ |
| Contents limit | $100,000 max | Higher available |
| Waiting period | 30 days | Often 0–14 days |
| Authorization risk | Congress must reauthorize (extended to 11 Dec 2026 by H.R. 6500) | None |
| Pricing | Risk Rating 2.0, 18%/yr cap | Own underwriting; can be cheaper for low-risk homes |
| Availability | Everywhere | May decline very high-risk homes |
Get quotes for both. For a high-value Hawaii home, the practical answer is often NFIP for the base $250,000 plus private excess coverage above it.
How to find your zone and price your policy
- Look up the parcel on the Honolulu DPP flood map viewer or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov). Note the zone and the base flood elevation.
- Get an elevation certificate if the home is elevated — it is the single most useful document for pricing.
- Quote NFIP and at least one private flood carrier for identical coverage.
- Check the discounts — CRS is automatic in Honolulu, but the Newly Mapped discount and deductible choices are not.
- Mind the calendar — 30-day NFIP waiting period, and no new flood or hurricane policies once a storm is approaching.
FAQ
What flood zone is “Zone X”?
The lower-risk zone, outside the Special Flood Hazard Area. Lenders do not require flood insurance in Zone X. But Zone X does not mean no risk — Hawaii Zone X policies still average $815/year, and about 40% of NFIP flood claims come from outside mapped high-risk zones (FEMA).
What is the difference between Zone AE and Zone VE?
Both are high-risk. AE is riverine/coastal flooding with a defined base flood elevation. VE is coastal high-hazard with wave action (velocity zones) — the most expensive zone to insure in Hawaii at $1,428/year on average.
Why did my premium go up if I never filed a claim?
Risk Rating 2.0 phases properties toward their full-risk rate, with increases capped at 18% a year for primary homes. Your premium can rise for years without a claim.
Does flood insurance cover tsunami damage?
Yes — tsunami is rising water, covered by a flood policy (subject to limits). It is not covered by homeowners or hurricane policies.
Is NFIP going away?
Congress must reauthorize it periodically. It was extended to 11 December 2026 (H.R. 6500, signed 2 September 2026). A lapse can delay home closings — check the current status before you buy.
Sources
- OpenFEMA NFIP Policies data, snapshot 3 August 2026 (via FloodZone Hawaii page, updated August 2026). https://www.fludzone.com/flood-zones/hawaii
- FloodZone, “How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost?” (updated August 2026). https://www.fludzone.com/guides/flood-insurance-cost
- Hawaii DCCA, Commissioner’s Memorandum 2026-3A (7 April 2026). https://cca.hawaii.gov/ins/commissioners-memorandum-2026-3a-updated-flood-insurance-rate-maps/
- FEMA Community Rating System (April 2026); FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
- MoneyGeek, “Flood Insurance Coverage by State” (2026). https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/homeowners/flood-insurance-coverage-by-state/
- 1-800-Insurance, “Insurance in Honolulu, Hawaii: Complete 2026 Guide.” https://www.1800insurance.com/guides/insurance-in-honolulu-hawaii
Prices are published figures as of the dates cited, not quotes. Verify your zone and premium with a licensed agent.