Get the right commercial insurance for your Honolulu business
Which insurance policies are recommended for Honolulu businesses?
General liability insurance
General liability pays for legal costs from customer accidents, along with defamation and copyright infringement claims. Commercial leases in Honolulu often require this coverage.
- Customer accidents at your business
- Damage to a customer's property
- Slander and other advertising injuries
Professional liability insurance
A professional liability policy covers legal costs related to claims of negligence, such as advice that caused a client to lose money. It's sometimes called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Mistakes that cause financial loss
- Accusations of professional negligence
- Missed deadlines
Cyber liability insurance
Cyber insurance helps small businesses in Honolulu recover after a data breach or a cyberattack. Every business that handles customer information should have this coverage.
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- PR campaigns after a breach
Business owner’s policy
A business owner's policy is an affordable way to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together. It's recommended for low-risk small businesses in Honolulu.
- Customer slip-and-fall injuries
- Damaged business property
- Theft and vandalism
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers' comp is required for Honolulu businesses with employees, with few exceptions. It also covers work-related injuries for sole proprietors, which health insurance may deny.
- Medical bills from job-related injuries
- Disability benefits
- Legal fees from workplace injuries
Commercial auto insurance
All vehicles owned by Honolulu businesses must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy primarily covers injuries and property damage caused by your vehicle.
- Injuries from an auto accident
- Damage caused by your vehicle
- Lawsuits from an auto accident
Errors and omissions insurance
E&O insurance protects consultants and professional services against legal defense costs from dissatisfied clients. It's also called professional liability insurance.
- Errors and oversights
- Breach of contract
- Professional negligence
Commercial property insurance
This policy covers physical damage to a Honolulu business's building and its contents, including any computers and equipment. You can bundle it with general liability in a BOP.
- Burglaries
- Fires
- Storm damage
Commercial umbrella insurance
An umbrella policy provides coverage once the limit is reached on your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance.
- Customer lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Employee injury lawsuits
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Which business insurance policies are required in Honolulu, HI?
Workers' compensation insurance
Honolulu state law requires workers' compensation for all small businesses with employees, whether they're full-time, part-time, temporary or seasonal. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including:
- Sole proprietors and independent contractors
- Business partners
- Corporate officers who maintain at least 50% ownership
Workers' compensation helps pay for medical expenses from work-related injuries.
Most workers' comp policies also include employer's liability coverage, which protects the business from injury-related lawsuits.
Single-person businesses should also carry workers' comp, though they are not required by state law. This policy can help with medical bills related to work injuries, or may be a requirement for certain contracts.
Commercial auto insurance
All Honolulu small businesses with company-owned vehicles are required to carry commercial auto insurance.
This insurance protects your business if you or your employees are involved in an accident with company vehicles while performing work-related activities and errands.
Honolulu insurance minimum requirements include:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 per occurrence property damage liability
- $10,000 personal injury protection
Certain businesses, such as trucking businesses or those that use utility trailers or cargo trailers, may require higher limits.
In Hawaii, personal injury protection (PIP) is also required as an endorsement to your coverage, and it helps provide medical payments coverage in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
Businesses that use personal, rented, or leased vehicles will need another policy called a hired and non-owned (HNOA) policy as a standard commercial auto policy will not cover these types of vehicles.
How much does business insurance in Honolulu cost?
Small businesses in Honolulu don't have to pay a lot for commercial insurance. Here are a few average costs for small business owners, based on policy data from Insureon customers:
General liability: $45 per month
Workers' comp: $54 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $88 per month
The cost of business liability insurance depends on factors such as:
- Type of business
- Business operations
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
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FAQs about Honolulu business insurance
How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?
Insureon is the #1 rated online digital insurance agency where you can get same-day insurance in three easy steps:
- Fill out our easy online application to get quotes from top-rated insurance carriers.
- Choose the insurance option that suits your coverage needs and pay for it online.
- Download a certificate of insurance (COI) by logging into your account.
Our licensed insurance agents will help you get coverage for your Honolulu company that matches your specific insurance needs and budget, from general liability insurance to a commercial auto policies and beyond.
Most businesses can get their certificate of insurance within a few hours. With this certificate, you can demonstrate proof of insurance for contracts, bids, and other agreements.
Can my business be held liable for a data security breach?
Yes – that's why cyber insurance is so crucial. Small businesses are a common target of cyberattacks since they often have fewer security measures in place.
Small businesses are a common target of cyberattacks and ransomware attacks since they often have fewer security measures in place.
Hawaii data breach laws require Honolulu businesses to notify any residents "without unreasonable delay" if they're exposed in a data breach. If more than 1,000 residents are impacted, they must inform the Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection.
Your business could also end up paying for a data breach investigation, a PR campaign, and other costs related to a breach or cyberattack.
Cyber insurance covers these costs and provides resources so you can get back to business fast.
Does my industry affect Honolulu insurance requirements?
Honolulu does not have a standard city business license for all small businesses, but the majority of businesses will need to obtain a General Excise Tax (GET) license.
There may also be special requirements for business insurance and bonds, depending on the type of work you do.
Some businesses may need an additional license, such as garbage removal companies and certain retail businesses.
Here are a few examples of businesses with other obligations:
- Contractors are not required to carry commercial general liability insurance for contractors to operate in Hawaii, but it is highly recommended. Construction businesses and handymen might need a surety bond to sign a contract or bid on a project.
- Notaries public in Honolulu must carry a $1,000 surety bond to operate.
- Real estate agents and brokers are not mandated to carry errors and omissions insurance but the firm where they work may require it.
- Cannabis businesses in Hawaii aren't required to carry insurance but may want to consider insurance coverage to address the increased risk of the industry.
- Lawyers don't have to carry professional liability insurance in Hawaii, but they are required to report to the Bar Association if they do not.
When running a business in Honolulu, it's important to stay mindful of the laws and regulations for the city, county, and state.
How can I get help starting a small business in Honolulu, HI?
The City of Honolulu provides ample support for new and growing small businesses.
Here's a list of local organizations available to provide guidance and resources:
- Hawaii Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides business planning resources, financial reviews, disaster recovery resources, workshops, and more.
- Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism offers incentive programs, cyber resources, and events.
- Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) assists veteran small business owners with counseling, training, referrals, and other resources.
- Business Action Center supports Honolulu business owners with registering a business, obtaining necessary certifications, and filing annual reports.
- SCORE Hawaii is a nonprofit that assists small businesses with mentorship, workshops, events, templates, and other resources.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Hawaii District helps local entrepreneurs with funding, contracting, and disaster relief.
Keep in mind that many lenders will require you to first obtain business insurance coverage before they will approve a loan.
How can I save money on Honolulu business insurance?
Small business owners can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from different insurance companies.
With Insureon, you can get free Honolulu business insurance quotes from top-rated providers by filling out one easy application.
There are a few other ways to save, such as:
- Bundle policies for a discount. The most popular option is a business owner's policy.
- Choose less expensive policy options, such as lower limits or a higher deductible.
- Focus on minimizing workplace exposures and risk management. Fewer accidents mean fewer claims, which helps keep your premium low.
Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance. You can also speak to one of Insureon's agents to discuss your insurance coverage needs.