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You can expect to pay between about $700 to $1,200 for state minimum coverage if you have a clean driving record — it depends on your insurance provider. Take a look below for the top 4 auto insurance companies in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Car Insurance Overview
Do you live in the Ocean State? Think you might need to hit the reset button on auto insurance so it’s a little easier on your wallet? Here’s a quick rundown of some Rhode Island auto insurance fast facts:
- Rhode Islanders have an average of 2 cars per household.
- Minimum car insurance requirements are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $25,000 per accident
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Rhode Island Auto Insurance Law Explained
Every driver in Rhode Island must have some form of car insurance. You must have at least the following protections to legally operate a motor vehicle:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Bodily injury liability coverage provides compensation for anyone you injure during a collision. You must have at least $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident to drive in Rhode Island.
- Property damage liability coverage: Property damage liability coverage provides compensation for anyone whose property you injure during a collision. You must have at least $25,000 worth of property damage liability coverage to drive in Rhode Island.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you for medical bills if you’re involved in a collision with a driver who doesn’t have insurance. You must have at least $25,000 worth of uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident to drive in Rhode Island.
These optional insurance coverages can further protect you:
- Collision coverage: Compensates you for damage done to your vehicle in an at-fault accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Compensates you for damage your vehicle incurs in an incident that’s not a collision. Common examples include damage from natural disasters, fires and vandalism.
You can be fined up to $500 and have your license suspended for up to three months if you’re caught driving without insurance, according to Rhode Island law. You’ll face a $500 fine and have your license suspended for up to six months on your 2nd offense. You’ll face a $1,000 fine and have your license suspended for a year on your 3rd or greater offense.
Rhode Island Auto Insurance Rates Per Vehicle
The type of vehicle you drive also affects your car insurance premium. One of the main things car insurance providers look at when they decide how much to charge you is your vehicle’s safety ratings.
Simply put, you’ll pay less for insurance if you own a vehicle that’s won multiple safety awards and is ranked high in national safety and control tests. This is because you’re less likely to be injured in an accident and your vehicle will sustain less damage.
Insurance companies also look at theft data when they set premiums. Do you drive a commonly-owned vehicle? You’ll pay less for insurance because your car is less likely to be stolen. Expensive, flashy cars are statistically more likely to be stolen, so you’ll pay more. Repair costs and parts availability can also affect your premium.
Auto Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score
Your credit score is a 3-digit number that tells lenders how reliable you are as a borrower. Your credit score contributes to your car insurance premium. A high credit score means you’ll be less likely to file a claim and you can get lower rates. A lower score means you’ll pay more.
Let’s take a look at how your credit score can influence your premium.
| Credit Score | Cheapest Provider | Rate for State Minimum Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Poor 300-579 | GEICO | $2,205 |
| Fair 580-669 | Progressive | $1,640 |
| Good 670-739 | State Farm | $1,545 |
| Excellent 740+ | Progressive | $1,273 |
You may want to take some time to raise your credit score before you sign onto a new policy if your car insurance quotes seem high.
Insurance for Drivers With a Clean Record
You need to follow the rules of the road if you want cheap auto insurance. Drivers who have never been involved in an accident or a road violation have access to the lowest car insurance rates. Defensive driving, local parking and speed regulations and distractions while you drive can help you lower your premium and help you stay safe on the road.
In this section, we’ll compare three common coverage options for drivers with a clean driving record:
- State minimum: The minimum required coverage to drive in Rhode Island.
- Standard coverage: State minimum coverage plus collision coverage.
- Full coverage: State minimum coverage, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.
Insurance Rates with Driving Infractions
Do you have infractions on your driving record? If so, you’ll pay more for car insurance. Drivers who have been involved in an incident in the past are more likely to get into another incident in the future.
However, not every type of driving infraction affects your premium in the same way. Some infractions only affect your premium a little bit, while others can raise your rates for years.
Let’s take a look at how 3 types of driving infractions can affect your rates:
- At-fault accident: An accident that you fully or partially caused.
- Speed violation: Driving too far above or too far below the posted speed limit. A speed violation is viewed as a minor driving infraction by insurance providers.
- DUI: DUI stands for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUIs are criminal offenses and one of the most serious driving infractions.
| Insurance Company | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife | $2,056 | $1,713 | $5,281 |
| Donegal | $3,272 | $1,683 | $4,686 |
| Amica | $2,412 | $1,373 | $6,259 |
| 21st Century | $2,757 | $1,720 | $6,574 |
| Cincinnati Insurance Company | $2,534 | $1,741 | $6,663 |
Best Auto Insurance Providers in Rhode Island
Now that you know how auto insurance works in Rhode Island, let’s take a look at some of the best insurance companies in the state.
1. Best Overall: Amica Mutual
Amica Mutual is once of Rhode Island’s favorite car insurance providers.
The company took home the top rating in New England in J.D. Power’s 2019 Auto Insurance Study, earning a perfect 5 out of 5 for customer service. Amica’s policies offer up to $1 million in coverage and are some of the most valuable in Rhode Island.
Amica also offers some unique policy features that can help you save over time. For example, if your new car is totaled, Amica will replace it without factoring in depreciation.
2. Cheapest Auto Insurance in Rhode Island: State Farm
Benzinga’s State Farm review crowned it one of the most affordable car insurance providers in Rhode Island.
- Rideshare drivers
State Farm’s quotes were the lowest in many of the state’s largest cities, including Providence, Warwick and Cranston.
State Farm also includes one of the most generous discount programs with dozens of ways to save. State Farm has a way that every driver can save, from bringing home good grades as a student driver to combining your auto policy with your homeowners insurance.
3. Best Coverage for Multiple Autos: Esurance
Do you have multiple cars you need to cover? If so, you need to find an auto insurance provider with plenty of discounts.
Esurance offers a generous discount policy and includes a multi-car discount. Other ways you can get a discount:
- Install an anti-theft device in your car.
- Maintain a good driving record.
- Get a quote online. You can secure a quote for your car insurance in as little as a few minutes through Esurance’s site.
4. Best for Military Personnel: USAA
USAA is a unique insurance provider that offers home and auto policies for members of the armed forces and their families.
- Active military members
Though you’ll need to meet service requirements to qualify for a USAA policy, USAA’s rates are some of the lowest on the market.
USAA also offers a number of other discounts, including discounts for staying safe on the road and installing anti-theft devices.
You can also save even more by bundling multiple USAA policies together.
Driving Safely in Little Rhoady
Have you researched how to lower your auto insurance? If not, you might be overpaying for your insurance without even knowing it. It doesn’t hurt to get car insurance quotes from a few competing companies every couple of years, even if you’re satisfied with your current car insurance provider.
This can help you negotiate a lower rate with your current provider or help you find your next favorite car insurance company.
*Quotes were obtained using the following profile: base 2015 Toyota Camry, male, 40-years-old. Policies reflect state minimum coverage options. We make every effort to provide the most accurate quotes based on the profile above. Due to the many combined variables involved in insurance quotes, the only way to get an accurate quote is to enter your own information through our partners' secure websites.
About Sarah Horvath
Sarah Horvath is a highly respected freelance senior copywriter specializing in insurance content. With a wealth of experience, she is recognized as one of the top insurance copywriters in the industry. Sarah’s expertise encompasses various aspects of insurance, including home warranties, life insurance, health insurance, and more. Her insightful articles and guides are regularly featured on major finance sites, providing invaluable information to readers seeking to navigate the complexities of insurance policies. Known for her clear, concise writing style and comprehensive understanding of insurance products, Sarah is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage.