- State minimum liability on average in Rhode Island costs $149 a month or $1,788 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $441 a month or $5,296 a year in RI.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in RI- Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Cheap Car Insurance Companies in Rhode Island
- In Rhode Island the cheapest car insurance companies on average are Travelers, Progressive and Allstate. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $65 a month or $785 a year. The cheapest full coverage car insurance starts at $188 a month or $2,251 a year with a policy from Travelers.
Here are the average policy rates from the cheapest local and national insurance providers in Providence from our cost database of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Company: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $785 | $65 | $2,251 | $188 |
| Progressive | $1,067 | $89 | $3,396 | $283 |
| Allstate | $1,272 | $106 | $3,896 | $325 |
| Amica | $1,665 | $139 | $4,860 | $405 |
| GEICO | $1,733 | $144 | $4,892 | $408 |
Average Auto Insurance Costs for Popular RI Cities
| Rhode Island City: | State Minimum: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston | $1,678 | $140 | $4,842 | $403 |
| Pawtucket | $1,672 | $139 | $4,738 | $395 |
| Providence | $1,788 | $149 | $5,296 | $441 |
| Warwick | $1,381 | $115 | $3,849 | $321 |
SEE A LIST OF POPULAR RI CITY COST GUIDES
Rhode Island Minimum Insurance Requirements
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but the risk of an accident is no less. As a Rhode Island resident, you must carry liability insurance on vehicles you own. The minimum legal limits for coverage are:
- $25,000 bodily injury for one person
- $50,000 bodily injury for two or more people
- $25,000 property damage
- Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage
You may choose a combined bodily injury and property damage policy of $75,000 instead of the separate limits. Your license may be suspended if you don’t carry the minimum insurance.
The Insurance Division of the Department of Business Regulation, or DBR, approves car insurance rates. The staff reviews rate information to ensure rates are fair and nondiscriminatory. To make sure insurance companies follow state laws and regulations in the treatment of customers, the department conducts periodic audits of the claims handling process.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island by County
The average cost of car insurance in RI varies between each driver. We provide a breakdown of the amount you can expect to pay on car insurance policy costs by county for vehicle types below for a minimum state policy of the average driver:
| Auto Insurance Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | $1,215 | $914 | $1,246 | $1,165 | $1,130 |
| Kent | $1,612 | $1,220 | $1,651 | $1,559 | $1,502 |
| Newport | $1,215 | $914 | $1,246 | $1,165 | $1,130 |
| Providence | $1,588 | $1,190 | $1,610 | $1,545 | $1,482 |
| Washington | $1,296 | $977 | $1,334 | $1,234 | $1,202 |
Moving to Rhode Island: Important Information
If you’re moving to Rhode Island, you have 30 days to get a new title and registration. If your car is newer than a 2001 model, the vehicle identification number (VIN) has to be checked by a local police department. You’ll also need a title or a copy of the title for cars newer than 2001.
You also have 30 days to get a Rhode Island license. You’ll need to fill out an application and bring your current license, proof of residency, Social Security card, and proper identification to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Understanding Driving Laws in Rhode Island
The Department of Motor Vehicles has information about Rhode Island driving laws. The driver’s manual talks about some specific laws all drivers need to know.
- All occupants of a car must wear seat belts. You face fines per occupant if you and your passengers aren’t wearing seat belts. The state also enforces child restraint laws. Children 7 and younger who meet certain height and weight requirements must be in the back seat in a proper restraint system. Children over 7 must wear a seat belt.
- It is illegal for minors to use a cellphone while driving, even with a hands-free device. The same is true for bus drivers.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol carries fines and penalties based on the level of alcohol in your system. You can have your license suspended and even serve jail time. The state also encourages motorists to report potentially impaired drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Auto Insurance
1. What happens if you don’t have auto insurance?
If you’re caught without the minimum required liability insurance, your license and registration are suspended. You may also be fined and have to pay fees to have them renewed.
2. What happens if you have an accident in Rhode Island?
Similar to any other state, if you’re involved in an accident, stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. Your insurance company needs full details and reports to process your claim properly and assess fault.
3. Can you buy more than the required amount of insurance?
You can buy more liability insurance and other types of coverage. Your insurance company can tell you if you need other types of insurance coverage, or more coverage than is required by law based on your needs, lifestyle and driving habits.
Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
