Coverage for security companies serving the Aloha State's hospitality and military markets.
Hawaii (HI)
Hawaii Security Guard Insurance
Hawaii's security guard market is driven primarily by the state's tourism and hospitality industry and its significant military presence. The Board of Private Detectives and Guards, under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, regulates private security companies and individual guards. The isolated island geography, high cost of living, and concentrated resort and military markets create a unique operating environment for security companies that is reflected in both pricing and coverage requirements.
State Requirements
The Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards regulates private security under Chapter 463 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Security companies must obtain a Guard Agency license, and individual guards must register with the Board. Armed guards require additional firearms permits and qualification.
Hawaii requires guard agencies to maintain general liability insurance and a surety bond as conditions of licensure. Workers compensation is mandatory for all employers in Hawaii with one or more employees and is among the most expensive in the nation due to the state's high medical costs and isolation. Hawaii follows a modified comparative fault system with a 51 percent bar.
Security Market
Waikiki and the Honolulu resort corridor represent the largest single concentration of security demand in Hawaii, with dozens of major hotels, shopping centers, and entertainment venues requiring guard services. The broader Oahu hospitality market extends to Ko Olina, the North Shore, and the convention center district. Each of the neighbor islands, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, and Lanai, has its own resort security market, though on a smaller scale.
Hawaii's military installations, including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and facilities on other islands, generate substantial demand for both government contract security and private sector security in the surrounding communities. The healthcare sector, retail centers, and residential condominium market, which is substantial in Honolulu, round out the major demand segments.
Licensing & Training
Hawaii requires security guards to complete a Board-approved training program before registration. The training covers legal authority, emergency procedures, professional conduct, and site-specific protocols. Armed guards must complete additional firearms training and qualify at an approved range.
All applicants must pass a criminal background check. Hawaii's Board conducts periodic inspections of licensed guard agencies. The state's geographic isolation means that training resources and qualified instructors may be more limited than on the mainland, and companies should ensure their training programs are comprehensive and well-documented to support defense against negligent training claims.
Recommended Coverage
- ●General liability at $1,000,000 or higher to meet resort and hospitality client requirements
- ●Professional liability for negligent security claims at hotels, resorts, and tourist-facing venues
- ●Workers compensation at Hawaii's mandatory coverage levels, reflecting the state's high medical costs
- ●Assault and battery coverage for hospitality and nightlife security operations
- ●Employment practices liability for managing guard workforces under Hawaii's employee-protective labor laws
Security Guard Insurance FAQ — Hawaii
Get Covered
Share a Few Details and Let's Find the Right Coverage
Tell us about your security operation and our specialists will reach out with tailored coverage options. No obligation — just expert guidance from a team that understands the security guard industry.
Ready to Protect Your Security Company?
Our specialists understand security operations inside and out. Get coverage tailored to the way you run.