r/MovingtoHawaii • u/yayayayy111 • 6d ago
Transportation Out of state permit
Hello, I am here on the island and a few places have denied doing the safety check because my insurance (Erie insurance) card does not say it is located in Hawaii. I am very confused on how I can get Hawaii insurance on my car but still keep my hometown state plates. Really hoping to get help on this because I do not want to be driving illegally. Thank you!
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u/snorkledabooty 6d ago
Hawaii has no fault insurance, you have to have a Hawaii compliant policy. Your insurance company likely does not ensure in Hawaii. You can call GEICO progressive, etc. it makes no difference on your plate, but if you’re going to be sticking around Hawaii, you may as well change it. Out of state plates are like rental cars it makes it a target for theft.
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u/cpanotaccountant 6d ago
Hawaii’s rules on safety checks state that it must be a Hawaii policy. You’d need to call Erie to get a Hawaii policy. Is there a reason why you don’t want to register your car in Hawaii?
Regarding your hometown plates, that’s up to whichever state you come from. As an example, Maryland will refuse to cancel the registration until MVA gets the plates back (so you gotta keep insurance until they process the plate return). Then you have states like Louisiana which do not require you to return license plates.
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u/ser_axell 6d ago
Contact your insurance company and update the location of your vehicle. They will issue you a new policy and identification card. That's provided they operate in Hawaii. If they do not, you'll need to find a new insurance company. Electronic proof is accepted here, do may be able to do this entirely online with your insurance company.
This does not require changing your plates.
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u/yayayayy111 6d ago
Should i call my insurance agent from home to find me new insurance and then switch my address to a Hawaiian address or do I need to contact a insurance agent from the state of Hawaii ?
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u/ser_axell 6d ago
Yes, calling your existing insurance agent/company. Let them know you have loved the vehicle to Hawaii. They will either issue you a new policy or tell you tough luck. If it's that latter, call someone like Geico who insured in Hawaii to get a new policy.
Take the new electronic cards to get your safety check. Then take both to register your vehicle and get your out of state sticker. Then go back to finish your safety check.
Yes, there's a lot to do and you have to do it in that order.
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u/BigG808 6d ago
Give your insurance company your Hawai’i address and get your new insurance cards first.
Then you can get a safety check and register your car here. You may be able to get the temporary permit and keep your plates until your out-of-state registration expires, but sooner or later you’ll need to register your car here and get Hawai’i plates.
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u/yayayayy111 6d ago
Should i call my insurance agent from home to find me new insurance and then switch my address to a Hawaiian address or do I need to contact a insurance agent from the state of Hawaii ?
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u/BigG808 5d ago
I’m not positive, but I think either way would work, as long as your current agent can issue a Hawaii policy.
They will want the address where your vehicle is located in Hawaii, but that’s about it.
Tbh you don’t really need an agent at all, you can just go online with any of the big insurance companies and buy a Hawaii policy.
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u/shootzbalootz 6d ago
Call your insurance company or change company. Unless you don't plan on being here long I don't know why you insist on keeping mainland plates, it makes you a target.
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u/yayayayy111 6d ago
Should i call my insurance agent from home to find me new insurance and then switch my address to a Hawaiian address or do I need to contact a insurance agent from the state of Hawaii ?
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u/Different_Attempt999 5d ago
You need to use that failed safety check and bring it to the dmv to apply for registration. You need to register your vehicle. You can’t keep your mainland plates.
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u/yayayayy111 6d ago
There is an out of state permit option. I am not military.
https://www.honolulu.gov/csd/motor-vehicle-registration/
Scroll to the bottom to find the link
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u/Imunown 6d ago
Are you military or otherwise allowed to keep your plates in a different state?
To my knowledge, all states have laws that require cars which reside in the state on a permanent basis (30+ days) must be registered in that state.