Rhode Island car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
25/50/25
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$1,500.31
At-fault state
In at fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
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Compare car insurance in Rhode Island
Get the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island for 2021
Rhode Island drivers pay an average of $1,500.31 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $125.03 per month. Rhode Island drivers pay about 26% more than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.
The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.
Rhode Island state minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in Rhode Island are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 25/50/25, but we’ll break down what that means.
Rhode Island bodily injury liability
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
Rhode Island requires $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident to legally drive. That’s right in line with what most states across the US require for this coverage.
This means $25,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $50,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.
Rhode Island property damage liability
- $25,000 property damage liability
Rhode Island requires drivers to carry $25,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This is the highest required property damage limit across the US, with 17 other states requiring this amount.
This means $25,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.
Rhode Island uninsured or underinsured motorist
- $25,000 uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 uninsured property damage per accident
Rhode Island is an opt-out state for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. This means that every insurance company has to include this coverage in every policy, but you can choose to remove it. However, uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is required if you buy more than the state minimum 25/50 bodily injury liability requirements.
This coverage protects you if you get hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver. It pays for your car’s damage or medical bills to you and your passengers.
State minimum coverage usually isn’t enough
These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Rhode Island, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.
7 factors that affect car insurance rates in Rhode Island
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Rhode Islander’s rating factors to keep in mind.
| Factor | How it affects your rates |
|---|---|
 Age | How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least. |
 Gender | Rhode Island takes gender into account when determining your rates. Our analysis of Quadrant data found that men under 18 pay 17% more for car insurance compared to women of the same age. But, between 31 and 45, women see rates 5% higher than men. After 45, rates differ between men and women by only 1%, with women on the higher end. |
 Location | Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates. Rhode Island vehicle theft rates stand at 142.7 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s well below the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants. As for uninsured drivers, 16.5% of Rhode Islanders on the road are uninsured. That’s more than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%. |
 Driving Record | The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Rhode Island can increase your rate by around 25%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years. |
 Vehicle and mileage | Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure. Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums. And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Rhode Islanders drive an average of 26.3 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day. |
 Credit score | Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates. Rhode Island drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates. |
 Coverage | The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums. |
Most popular Rhode Island auto insurance companies list
| Company | Direct premiums written (billions) | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $212,541 | 22.0% |
| Geico | $119,212 | 12.30% |
| Amica | $110,961 | 11.50% |
| Allstate | $103,890 | 10.80% |
| USAA | $67,019 | 7% |
| Liberty Mutual | $65,238 | 6.85 |
| MetLife | $51,065 | 5.30% |
| Nationwide | $49,489 | 5.10% |
| MAPFRE | $44,395 | 4.60% |
| American Family | $26,917 | 2.80% |
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island?
Of Rhode Island’s largest cities, Cumberland has the cheapest rates and Providence has the most expensive car insurance rates. Providence drivers could face rates 3 times more than Cumberland drivers.
Car insurance quotes in Pawtucket
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2579 |
| Metromile | $1828 |
| Progressive | $1730 |
| Geico | $2362 |
| StateFarm | $1205 |
Car insurance quotes in Woonsocket
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1977 |
| Metromile | $1364 |
| Progressive | $1205 |
| Geico | $1704 |
| StateFarm | $1205 |
Car insurance quotes in Cumberland
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2250 |
| Metromile | $1583 |
| Progressive | $1090 |
| Geico | $1752 |
| StateFarm | $1205 |
Car insurance quotes in Cranston
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2730 |
| Metromile | $1875 |
| Progressive | $1475 |
| Geico | $2345 |
| StateFarm | $1205 |
Car insurance quotes in Providence
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $3102 |
| Metromile | $2174 |
| Progressive | $2089 |
| Geico | $2822 |
| StateFarm | $1268 |
Compare car insurance providers in Rhode Island
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Rhode Island?
Yes. Your insurance provider might file an SR-22 in Rhode Island on your behalf if you’re convicted of a DUI, have a lapse in your car insurance coverage or accumulate too many violation points on your driving record.
Bottom line
Getting the right car insurance can protect you, your passengers, your vehicle and everyone else on the road. Rhode Island requires a minimum standard of auto insurance coverage. And by shopping around and comparing your options, you can find a policy that works for you at a reasonable rate.
To learn more about insuring your car, from rules and regulations to better rates and policy options, read our comprehensive guide to auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Rhode Island
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