§431:10C-315  Statute of limitations.  (a)  No suit shall be brought on any contract providing motor vehicle insurance benefits or any contract providing optional additional coverage more than the later of:

     (1)  Two years from the date of the motor vehicle accident upon which the claim is based;

     (2)  Two years after the last payment of motor vehicle insurance benefits;

     (3)  Two years after the entry of a final order in arbitration;

     (4)  Two years after the entry of a final judgment in, or dismissal with prejudice of, a tort action arising out of a motor vehicle accident, where a cause of action for insurer bad faith arises out of the tort action; or

     (5)  Two years after payment of liability coverage, for underinsured motorist claims.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-315

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Insurer: means every person holding a valid certificate of authority to engage in the business of making contracts of motor vehicle insurance in this State. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-103
  • Motor vehicle: means any vehicle of a type required to be registered under chapter 286, including a trailer attached to such a vehicle, but not including motorcycles and motor scooters. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-103
  • Motor vehicle accident: means an accident arising out of the operation, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle, including an object drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 431:10C-103
  • Statute of limitations: A law that sets the time within which parties must take action to enforce their rights.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

     (b)  No suit arising out of a motor vehicle accident shall be brought in tort more than the later of:

     (1)  Two years after the date of the motor vehicle accident upon which the claim is based;

     (2)  Two years after the date of the last payment of motor vehicle insurance or optional additional benefits; or

     (3)  Two years after the date of the last payment of workers’ compensation or public assistance benefits arising from the motor vehicle accident.