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.
Affordable Insurance Premiums in Rhode Island
What's the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Farm | $972 |
| 2 | Travelers | $1,234 |
| 3 | USAA | $1,640 |
| 4 | Quincy Mutual | $2,209 |
| 5 | MetLife | $2,529 |
| 6 | Progressive | $2,530 |
| 7 | Cal Casualty | $2,997 |
| 8 | Nationwide | $3,194 |
| 9 | National Grange Mutual | $3,506 |
| 10 | Allstate | $3,982 |
Compare cheap rates from top companies now!
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%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $474 | 19.90% |
| No Accidents | $887 | 31.71% |
| Good Credit | $1,663 | 46.54% |
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.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $5,666 | $9,694 |
| 17 | $5,304 | $8,304 |
| 18 | $5,257 | $7,296 |
| 19 | $4,632 | $4,638 |
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.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,797 | 31.71% |
| DUI | $3,495 | 45.36% |
| Speeding Violation | $2,384 | 19.90% |
| Bad Credit | $3,573 | 46.54% |
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.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Amica | 4 | Superior |
| Cal Casualty | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Encompass | Not Rated | Superior |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| National Grange Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Peerless | 3 | Excellent |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Quincy Mutual | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
See insurance rates for Rhode Island's best companies!
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.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Rhode Island | $1,110.43 | $1,833.46 | $2,027.42 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Rhode Island Auto 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
Driving Laws in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on hand-held cell phones
- 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
Ticket Impact on Auto Insurance Rates in Rhode Island
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.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $4,105 | 95% | $1,995 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $3,970 | 88% | $1,860 |
| DUI | $3,970 | 88% | $1,860 |
| Racing | $3,894 | 85% | $1,784 |
| Reckless Driving | $3,764 | 78% | $1,653 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $3,651 | 73% | $1,540 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,667 | 26% | $557 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $3,396 | 61% | $1,285 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $2,843 | 35% | $732 |
| Passing a School Bus | $2,646 | 25% | $536 |
| Improper Passing | $2,646 | 25% | $536 |
| Following Too Closely | $2,504 | 19% | $393 |
| Speeding | $2,600 | 23% | $490 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $2,573 | 22% | $463 |
| Illegal Turn | $2,573 | 22% | $463 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,646 | 25% | $536 |
| Failure to Yield | $2,573 | 22% | $463 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $2,540 | 20% | $430 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $2,540 | 20% | $430 |
| Distracted Driving | $2,504 | 19% | $393 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $2,360 | 12% | $250 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $2,460 | 17% | $349 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $2,139 | 1% | $28 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $2,119 | 0% | $9 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $2,139 | 1% | $28 |
| Driving Without Lights | $2,139 | 1% | $28 |
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Rhode Island Car Insurance FAQs
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island?
Our data indicate State Farm ($486) and Travelers ($617) have the cheapest premiums in Rhode Island.
How much is car insurance in Rhode Island?
Average rates for drivers in Rhode Island are more expensive than the rest of the U.S. For a liability-only policy, drivers pay $555 per six-month policy or $1,013 for a full coverage policy.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Rhode Island?
Like many other states, car insurance costs are high in Rhode Island due to the rising cost of car maintenance, uninsured drivers, and total number of claims. If you're paying too much for car insurance, see our comparison calculator to see side-by-side rates.
How much does car insurance cost in Rhode Island cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Newport, Rhode Island, and the most expensive in Providence, Rhode Island.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | $2,820 |
| 2 | Cranston | $2,641 |
| 3 | Central Falls | $2,557 |
| 4 | Pawtucket | $2,486 |
| 5 | East Providence | $2,360 |
| 6 | Warwick | $2,188 |
| 7 | Greenville | $2,180 |
| 8 | Harmony | $2,100 |
| 9 | Chepachet | $2,025 |
| 10 | Woonsocket | $1,986 |
| 11 | Pascoag | $1,962 |
| 12 | Harrisville | $1,938 |
| 13 | Kingston | $1,824 |
| 14 | Bradford | $1,755 |
| 15 | Ashaway | $1,731 |
| 16 | Hope Valley | $1,728 |
| 17 | Tiverton | $1,720 |
| 18 | Melville | $1,631 |
| 19 | Newport | $1,597 |
Recent Rhode Island Car Insurance Questions and Answers
Can I get short-term rental car insurance for a van modified for mobility?
I was in a zip car and got into a not-at-fault accident
My tree damaged a neighbor's swing set?
If I'm involved in an accident with a passenger in my vehicle, are they covered?
