Cheap Rhode Island car insurance

Here's what you need to know when driving in Rhode Island

Across the Ocean State, there are 13,520 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.

Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Rhode Island

Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Rhode Island drivers without a recent at-fault accident typically save 31% on their car insurance premiums — nearly matching the 32% US average. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.

Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Rhode Island

Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Rhode Island, the typical teen driver pays $6,348 per year — approximately $1,400 more than the national average for teens, and more than three times as much as the average driver in Rhode Island.

Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Rhode Island

If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 45% after a DUI, 31% after an at-fault accident, and 19% after a speeding ticket in Rhode Island. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in Rhode Island are slightly higher than nationwide averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.

What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Rhode Island?

Every auto insurer highlights its cheap rates. But as with any product, the cheapest option is not always the best idea. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the research to zero in on an insurance policy that will cover your car completely after an incident. Be on the lookout for a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest auto insurance you find.

Compare top insurance companies' fiscal strength and claims satisfaction ratings to better understand the level of service they'll provide. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Poor" to "Superior" — evaluates an insurer's financial stability and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.

What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in Rhode Island?

The minimum required insurance in Rhode Island is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.

For the legal minimum coverage in Rhode Island, you can expect to owe an average of $1,110 yearly. These rates are pricier than the nationwide mean by 69%. If you want better auto insurance coverage, you can select a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, protecting against damages caused by vehicular collisions, auto theft, or weather incidents. It's worth noting that better insurance coverage has a cost: in Rhode Island, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,833, 65% more than liability-only coverage. For comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 83% more than you would for liability-only insurance.

Examine average premiums for liability-only and comprehensive policy options below.

Car Insurance Laws

State minimum insurance requirements in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the state minimum coverage requirement is liability with limits of:

• Bodily Injury Liability $25,000 per person
• Bodily Injury Liability $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability $25,000 per accident

Optional coverage in Rhode Island (varies by carrier):

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Loan/Lease Payoff
• Medical Payments
• Rental Car Reimbursement
• Roadside Assistance
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Liability coverage is legally required in Rhode Island and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In Rhode Island, the minimum is listed as 25/50/25 and explained below:

• $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
• $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
• $25,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.

These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in Rhode Island but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.

Rhode Island Car Insurance FAQs

Are digital insurance cards accepted in Rhode Island?

Yes. If you happen to find yourself pulled over by a police officer in Rhode Island you won't have to rifle through your glovebox wondering if you remembered to replace that expired insurance card last month. Instead, you can provide proof of coverage with your smartphone.

Do I need car insurance in Rhode Island?

Yes. You are required by law to carry auto insurance coverage in Rhode Island. 

Why is Rhode Island car insurance so expensive?

On average, Rhode Island auto insurance rates are 69% more expensive than the national average. This has to do with population density, claims history, the number of uninsured motorists, and individual rating factors that lead to premium increases.

Driving Laws

Rhode Island Texting and Driving Laws

1. Ban on hand-held cell phones
2. Ban on text messaging for all drivers

Rhode Island DUI Laws

The lookback period for DUI in Rhode Island is five years. Multiple DUI offenses within this timeframe may lead to harsher penalties and fines. Additionally, penalties are enhanced for a DUI leading to injury or death or in which a child under 13 years old was being transported.

First-time DUI offenses in Rhode Island in which the violator’s BAC was at least 0.08% but less than 0.10% lead to:

• Up to one year in jail
• $100 to $300 in fines
• License suspension for 30 to 180 days
• 10 to 60 hours of community service

How Do Tickets Impact Rhode Island Car Insurance Rates?

If you receive a ticket, your car insurance premiums may rise. By how much depends on the type of violation, your car insurance company's pricing standards, and differences in local insurance risks and regulations. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.

Below is a look at average car insurance rates in Rhode Island after some common violations.