Hawaii Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam Overview
The Hawaii Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Hawaii Insurance Division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Hawaii's unique island geography and natural hazards create specialized insurance needs that you must understand to serve clients effectively.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell property insurance, auto insurance, liability coverage, and related products throughout Hawaii—a state with approximately 1.4 million residents facing unique risks including hurricanes, volcanic activity, and tsunami exposure that create significant P&C insurance demand.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150-196 multiple-choice (Property: 93, Casualty: 103) |
| Scored Questions | 164 (Property: 78, Casualty: 86) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours per exam |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Testing Vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | $75 per exam |
| Pre-licensing Education | Not required (recommended) |
Why Get P&C Licensed in Hawaii?
- Island market needs — Limited agent competition on outer islands
- Tourism industry — Major commercial insurance needs
- Unique catastrophic risks — Hurricane, volcanic, and tsunami coverage specialization
- Higher premiums — Premium property and auto rates support agent income
- Year-round demand — No seasonal slowdowns
Start Your FREE Hawaii P&C Exam Prep
Ready to begin studying? Our comprehensive, completely free Hawaii P&C exam prep covers everything you need to pass.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Property Insurance (30%)
Homeowners Insurance:
- HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, HO-5, HO-6, HO-8 policy forms
- Coverage A (Dwelling), B (Other Structures), C (Personal Property)
- Coverage D (Loss of Use), E (Personal Liability)
- Dwelling fire policies
Hawaii-Specific Property Topics:
- Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF)
- Hurricane deductibles (percentage-based)
- Volcanic eruption coverage (lava flow, volcanic gases)
- Tsunami coverage considerations
- Flood insurance requirements (coastal areas)
- Termite and pest exclusions
Commercial Property:
- Building and personal property coverage forms
- Business income coverage
- Equipment breakdown
- Inland marine coverage
2. Liability Insurance (30%)
Personal Liability:
- Homeowners liability (Coverage E)
- Personal umbrella policies
- Medical payments coverage
Commercial Liability:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL)
- Products and completed operations
- Professional liability (E&O)
- Workers' compensation requirements
Hawaii Workers' Compensation:
- Required for all employers (even 1 employee)
- Hawaii Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (HEMIC)
- Exclusive state fund option available
- No-fault system
3. Auto Insurance (25%)
Hawaii Auto Insurance Requirements (Effective January 1, 2026):
| Coverage | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $40,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $80,000 |
| Property Damage | $20,000 |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | $10,000 |
Note: Hawaii increased its auto liability minimums from 20/40/10 to 40/80/20 effective January 1, 2026. The PIP requirement remains $10,000.
Additional Auto Topics:
- Personal Auto Policy (PAP) coverage parts
- Hawaii motor vehicle insurance law
- No-fault PIP requirements
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- SR-22 requirements
- Commercial auto insurance
4. Hawaii Insurance Code and Regulations (10%)
Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 431 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Policy cancellation and nonrenewal rules
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: Not required (recommended)
- Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours included in CE
- Background check required
5. Ethics and Professional Conduct (5%)
- Fiduciary duties to insureds
- Premium handling requirements
- Claims reporting obligations
- Privacy and confidentiality
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Property insurance fundamentals | 12-14 |
| Week 2-3 | Liability insurance | 12-14 |
| Week 3-4 | Auto insurance and HI requirements | 12-14 |
| Week 4-5 | Hawaii regulations (HRS 431) | 8-10 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 12-14 |
Total recommended study time: 55-65 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Hawaii P&C exam.
Hawaii-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Hawaii Auto Minimums (2026 Update)
Effective January 1, 2026, Hawaii requires 40/80/20 liability coverage plus mandatory PIP:
- $40,000 per person bodily injury
- $80,000 per accident bodily injury
- $20,000 property damage
- $10,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Note: Previous limits were 20/40/10. The 2026 exam will test on the new limits.
2. Master Hurricane Coverage
Hawaii's hurricane exposure is significant:
- Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF) — State catastrophe pool
- Percentage deductibles — Common for hurricane claims
- Named storm triggers — When coverage applies
- Separate hurricane policies — When needed
3. Understand Volcanic Coverage
Hawaii's unique volcanic risk:
- Lava flow coverage
- Volcanic ash and gas damage
- Kilauea and Mauna Loa considerations
- Exclusions vs. covered perils
- Lava zones and insurability
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Hawaii Requirement |
|---|---|
| Auto minimums | 40/80/20 (2026) |
| PIP minimum | $10,000 |
| WC threshold | All employers |
| Pre-licensing | Not required |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Passing score | 70% |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting PIP — Hawaii is a no-fault state with mandatory PIP
- Skipping hurricane coverage — Critical Hawaiian risk
- Ignoring volcanic coverage — Unique to Hawaii
- Not knowing NEW auto minimums — Hawaii increased to 40/80/20 in 2026 (from 20/40/10)
- Not practicing timed exams — Manage your time effectively
- Cramming last minute — Spread study over 5-6 weeks
After Passing Your Exam
- Apply for license through Hawaii DCCA online portal
- Complete background check — Required for all applicants
- Pay license fee — Approximately $50-75 for 2-year license
- Affiliate with insurer — Get appointed by carrier
- Maintain CE compliance — 24 hours every 2 years
- Begin selling — Your license is valid for 2 years
2026 Hawaii Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Hurricane coverage rate changes
- Volcanic activity considerations
- Climate change impact on coastal properties
- Enhanced consumer protection regulations
Start Your Hawaii P&C Insurance Career Today
The Hawaii P&C license opens doors to a unique island insurance market with specialized needs. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage
- Practice questions with explanations
- Hawaii-specific regulations (HRS Chapter 431)
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.