Lava insurance on Hawaiʻi Island, explained.
On the Big Island, a property's USGS lava hazard zone shapes whether — and from whom — you can get insurance. Here's how the zones work and where to turn if standard coverage is hard to find.
Lava zones drive insurability
The USGS maps Hawaiʻi Island into nine lava hazard zones, where Zone 1 is the most hazardous (the summits and rift zones of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa) and Zone 9 is the least. A parcel's zone is one of the first things an insurer checks, because it reflects the long-run probability of lava inundation.
In the highest-risk areas — typically Lava Zones 1 and 2, and sometimes parts of Zone 3 — many standard homeowner carriers limit or decline coverage. Lower-numbered zones (closer to 1) are harder to insure on the open market; higher-numbered zones generally are not a lava-driven obstacle.
Where to turn if you're declined: HPIA
Hawaiʻi created the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA) as an insurer of last resort. It exists so owners of property in high-risk lava areas who cannot obtain coverage in the standard market can still get basic property insurance. If a carrier turns you down because of lava risk, HPIA is the usual fallback — typically arranged through a licensed Hawaiʻi insurance agent.
Steps for a Big Island property
- Find the parcel's lava zone first. See our Hawaii lava zone guide, or look up the property by TMK.
- Get quotes early — lava-zone status can change a deal's economics, so confirm insurability before you're deep into a purchase.
- If declined, ask your licensed agent about HPIA and what a last-resort policy does and doesn't cover.
FAQ
Can you get insurance in Lava Zone 1 or 2?
Standard carriers often limit or decline coverage in Lava Zones 1 and 2. Owners in these zones frequently turn to the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (HPIA), the state's insurer of last resort, through a licensed agent.
How do I find my Big Island lava zone?
USGS lava hazard zones run 1 (highest risk) to 9 (lowest). You can check a property's zone using its TMK and Hawaii GIS data — see Ikena's lava zone guide and parcel lookup.
This is a plain-English overview, not legal or zoning advice. Districts, permitted uses, and minimum lot sizes change and vary by county. Always confirm the current rules for a specific parcel with the relevant county planning department (on Oʻahu, the Department of Planning & Permitting) before relying on them.