Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island

Last Updated on September 14, 2023

Rhode Island is one of the most expensive states for car insurance. The average driver in Rhode Island pays nearly $350 more per year for car insurance than the average American, making Rhode Island the seventh most expensive state in America for car insurance.

The average driver in Rhode Island pays around $1,834 per year for car insurance, hundreds of dollars higher than the nationwide average of $1,450. 

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on car insurance in Rhode Island. Drivers in Little Rhody can shop around to find the best insurer for their unique needs. Some insurers specialize in insuring specific demographics, while others charge comparatively high rates to drivers with speeding tickets or at-fault accidents.

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Rhode Island

Rhode Island drivers have plenty of options for car insurance. Some drivers work with independent agents to find the best local insurance options. Other drivers buy insurance online through recognizable, nationwide providers. Some drivers want cheap, minimum liability coverage. Others want full coverage. The best car insurance companies in Rhode Island include:

1. USAA

Available to military personnel and certain qualifying family members, USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in Rhode Island. It’s also one of the best-rated insurers for claims satisfaction and customer service. USAA charges average rates of around $1,122 to policyholders in Rhode Island, hundreds of dollars less than the statewide average.

2. State Farm

State Farm insures more drivers across America than any other company in the country. In Rhode Island, State Farm is frequently the cheapest option for drivers across all demographics and driving histories. State Farm charges rates as low as $1,204 per year for full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island.

3. Travelers

Travelers is rarely the cheapest option in any state, but it’s among the cheapest providers in Rhode Island. The only company with cheaper average rates than Travelers, according to our analysis, was USAA. Today, Travelers charges average premiums of around $1,241 per year for full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island.

4. Amica Mutual

Amica Mutual has strong ratings for pricing, customer service, and claims satisfaction. They’re not just one of the best-rated insurers in the region: they’re also one of the most affordable. Amica Mutual charges rates of around $1,309 per year for full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island, making them one of the best options in the state.

5. GEICO

GEICO is the second-largest property and casualty insurance company in the United States. Their rates are cheaper than other providers in Rhode Island, with only USAA and Travelers offering lower rates than GEICO. Expect to pay around $1,423 per year for full coverage car insurance.

6. Progressive

America’s third-largest car insurance company is Progressive. Progressive is competitive with other large insurers on this list, maintaining cheap prices throughout the state. Expect to pay roughly $1,456 per year with Progressive in Rhode Island.

7. Nationwide

According to our model driver profiles, Nationwide charges average rates of around $1,502 per year in Rhode Island, making the more expensive than other providers above but cheaper than the average Rhode Island insurer.

8. MetLife

MetLife provides insurance and employee benefits to customers across the country. MetLife has a strong presence in Rhode Island, insuring thousands of drivers across the state. Our model driver profiles received an average quote of around $1,532 per year with MetLife in Rhode Island.

9. Allstate

Allstate is a large and well-known insurance company offering similar services to other nationwide providers on this list. Expect to pay around $1,545 per year with Allstate.

10. The Hartford

The Hartford charges higher prices for better insurance coverage. With top marks for claims satisfaction, policy offerings, and overall coverage, The Hartford is ideal for those willing to pay more for a better insurance experience. The Hartford’s rates are priced at around $1,602 per year for full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Insurance Requirements

Rhode Island has similar car insurance requirements to other states. Drivers must carry a minimum of 25/50/25 coverage on their policy, which includes:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

Insurance companies in Rhode Island must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to policyholders. However, policyholders can decline this coverage and still meet Rhode Island’s minimum insurance limits.

The coverages above are required by the state of Rhode Island. However, your lender, dealership, or financing company could require additional coverage if you are leasing or financing your vehicle. Most leased or financed vehicles require full coverage car insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage.

Many Rhode Island drivers also exceed the minimum liability limits above. Even a minor accident can surpass the limits above, forcing you to pay for the damage out of pocket. That’s why many drivers opt for higher limits and additional coverage.

Driving Without Insurance in Rhode Island

It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Rhode Island, and drivers caught uninsured will face penalties.

The state of Rhode Island will charge you with a misdemeanor if you are caught without insurance. Law enforcement officers can request proof of insurance during a traffic stop or at the scene of an accident.

Like other states, Rhode Island increases punishment based on the number of times you were caught driving without insurance:

• First Offense: $100 to $500 fine, 3 month suspension of license, registration, and license plates, $30 reinstatement fee, $151.50 license re-registration fee, $251.50 registration re-registration fee, and $251.50 insurance verification re-registration fee.
• Second Offense: $500 fine, 6 month suspension of license, registration, and license plates, $30 reinstatement fee, $151.50 license re-registration fee, $251.50 registration re-registration fee, and $251.50 insurance verification re-registration fee.
• Third & Subsequent Offenses: $1,000 fine, 1 month suspension of license, registration, and license plates, $30 reinstatement fee, $151.50 license re-registration fee, $251.50 registration re-registration fee, and $251.50 insurance verification re-registration fee.

Prior to 2018, Rhode Island required drivers caught without insurance to submit an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility to reinstate their license. Rhode Island scrapped the SR-22 system in 2018 and no longer requires drivers to submit the SR-22 certificate even if convicted of driving without insurance.

It’s possible to get caught without insurance outside of accidents and traffic stops. Rhode Island will randomly check insurance status of drivers through its insurance verification program. If the state requests proof of insurance from you in the mail, then you must provide proof of insurance to avoid further penalties.

Car Insurance in Rhode Island with DUI

DUIs and DWIs cause car insurance rates to rise significantly in Rhode Island. Insurers consider you a high-risk driver if you have a single DUI on your record. Drivers with multiple DUIs may need to use a high-risk auto insurance company to obtain coverage.

Fortunately, some insurers continue to charge cheap rates after a DUI conviction:

1. USAA: $1,685 per year
2. GEICO: $1,703 per year
3. State Farm: $1,714 per year
4. Progressive: $1,802 per year
5. MetLife: $1,994 per year

Car Insurance in Rhode Island with At-Fault Accidents

At-fault accidents increase auto insurance premiums in Rhode Island. You’ll pay 30% to 50% more for auto insurance after a single at-fault accident. However, some insurers maintain cheap prices on insurance even after one or more at-fault accidents.

1. USAA: $1,493 per year
2. GEICO: $1,506 per year
3. State Farm: $1,633 per year
4. Progressive: $1,659 per year
5. MetLife: $1,717 per year

Car Insurance in Rhode Island with Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets can increase car insurance premiums in Rhode Island. Many insurers ignore a single minor speeding ticket, but most insurers raise rates for multiple speeding violations. Consider requesting a quote from any of the following insurers if you have one or more speeding tickets on your driving record:

1. USAA: $1,272 per year
2. State Farm: $1,304 per year
3. Travelers: $1,469 per year
4. GEICO: $1,471 per year
5. Progressive: $1,504 per year

Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Young Drivers

Drivers under 25 pay significantly more for car insurance than drivers in any other demographic. Some insurers welcome young drivers into their pool as a way to balance rates and risk. Other insurers avoid insuring young drivers, disincentivizing them by charging comparatively expensive rates.

The best insurance companies in Rhode Island for young drivers include:

1. USAA: $1,783 per year
2. State Farm: $1,809 per year
3. GEICO: $1,901 per year
4. Allstate: $2,099 per year
5. Nationwide: $2,102 per year

Car Insurance in Rhode Island with Poor Credit

A bad credit score can signify you’re a risky driver to insure. Drivers with poor credit scores are more likely to make a claim, cause an accident, and cost an insurer money than drivers with a good credit score. Fortunately, some insurers weigh credit score less heavily than others, including:

1. USAA: $2,083 per year
2. State Farm: $2,102 per year
3. Travelers: $2,114 per year
4. GEICO: $2,091 per year
5. Nationwide: $2,115 per year

SR-22 Insurance in Rhode Island

Rhode Island used to have an SR-22 system. High-risk drivers needed to submit proof of financial responsibility to the DMV to reinstate their license and registration. Most drivers needed to maintain SR-22 coverage for one to three years.

Rhode Island dropped the SR-22 system in 2018. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles no longer requires and no longer accepts SR-22 financial responsibility filings.

If you are a high-risk driver, then you are still required to maintain car insurance to legally drive on the road. Insurers will charge higher rates to high-risk drivers, and you could pay 50% to 100% more for car insurance. However, high-risk drivers no longer have the additional burden of filing an SR-22 certificate to reinstate driving privileges.

If you cannot afford auto insurance do to your high-risk status, there are some options. The Rhode Island Auto Insurance Plan (RIAIP) serves as a safety net for drivers who are unable to obtain auto insurance in the voluntary market due to their high-risk status, ensuring that all drivers have access to the required auto insurance coverage.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Rhode Island

Every insurer in Rhode Island claims to offer the best coverage at the most competitive prices. However, not all insurers live up to that promise. Some insurers charge high rates without offering premium service. Other insurers charge discount rates while beating competitors in every department.

By shopping around and comparing quotes, you can find the best insurer for your unique demographic. Start comparing quotes online today to find the best car insurance in Rhode Island for your unique needs.