You must file your own report
- When
- Injury, death, or more than $3,000 of damage to any one person's property (including your own).
- Report to
- The chief of police, in writing or in person
- Deadline
- Within 24 hours
Official source: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 287-4
What to do after a car accident in Hawaii
- Stop, check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Move to safety if you can.
- Call police for any crash with injuries or significant damage. Ask for the report number.
- Exchange names, contact, license, plate and insurance details with every driver involved. Use our accident information worksheet.
- Photograph every vehicle, the plates, the damage and the scene, and get witnesses' names and numbers.
- File your own report with The chief of police, in writing or in person — within 24 hours .
- Notify your insurance company promptly, as your policy requires, and start a claim communication log.
If your car was totaled or damaged
Reporting the crash is only the first step. If your insurer says the car is a total loss, check Hawaii's total-loss threshold and run the offer through the Total-Loss Offer Audit. If it was repaired, you may have a diminished-value claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Hawaii?
Yes. In Hawaii you must file your own written crash report when: injury, death, or more than $3,000 of damage to any one person's property (including your own).
How long do I have to report a car accident in Hawaii?
Within 24 hours — to The chief of police, in writing or in person.
Does reporting the crash to the state start my insurance claim?
No. A police or state crash report and an insurance claim are separate. Notify your own insurer promptly as your policy requires, and file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer if someone else caused the crash.