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
What's the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $712 |
| 2 | State Farm | $1,117 |
| 3 | Travelers | $1,234 |
| 4 | Amica | $1,482 |
| 5 | Progressive | $1,514 |
| 6 | Quincy Mutual | $1,611 |
| 7 | Peerless | $1,750 |
| 8 | National Grange Mutual | $2,073 |
| 9 | GEICO | $2,468 |
| 10 | MetLife | $2,529 |
| 11 | Nationwide | $2,680 |
| 12 | Encompass | $2,928 |
| 13 | Cal Casualty | $2,997 |
| 14 | Liberty Mutual | $3,013 |
| 15 | Allstate | $3,089 |
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% |
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.
| 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 |
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 |
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.
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 East, Rhode Island, and the most expensive in Providence, Rhode Island.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Providence | $2,254 |
| 2 | Cranston | $2,138 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $1,913 |
| 4 | East Providence | $1,833 |
| 5 | Central Falls | $1,819 |
| 6 | Valley Falls | $1,724 |
| 7 | Greenville | $1,717 |
| 8 | Warwick | $1,715 |
| 9 | Harmony | $1,674 |
| 10 | Cumberland Hill | $1,627 |
| 11 | Chepachet | $1,605 |
| 12 | Woonsocket | $1,587 |
| 13 | Pascoag | $1,575 |
| 14 | Harrisville | $1,562 |
| 15 | Hope Valley | $1,492 |
| 16 | Narragansett Pier | $1,490 |
| 17 | Kingston | $1,486 |
| 18 | Wakefield-Peacedale | $1,484 |
| 19 | Bradford | $1,476 |
| 20 | Ashaway | $1,465 |
| 21 | Westerly | $1,463 |
| 22 | Tiverton | $1,401 |
| 23 | Melville | $1,362 |
| 24 | Newport | $1,356 |
| 25 | Newport East | $1,349 |
Recent Rhode Island Car Insurance Questions and Answers
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Driving Laws
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
Rhode Island Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Rhode Island area, while also getting an insider view of the Ocean State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destrination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2018
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2019
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.
