Drivers shopping for car insurance in Rhode Island need minimum liability insurance of at least $25,000 per accident for property damage and at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability (25/50/25). You can purchase more liability protection so injured parties can't sue you for expenses if you cause an accident with damages exceeding these limits. Review this guide if you're a Rhode Island resident looking for the right auto insurance policy for your needs.
Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies in Rhode Island
The auto insurance website The Zebra ranks the most affordable average annual auto insurance premiums for Rhode Island drivers:
- Allstate: $3982
- Cal Casualty: $2997
- MetLife: $2529
- National Grange Mutual: $2506
- Nationwide: $3194
- Progressive: $2530
- Quincy Mutual: $2209
- State Farm: $972
- Travelers Insurance: $1234
- USAA: $1640
Car Insurance in Rhode Island after an Accident or a Violation
Rhode Island drivers with no recent history of driving violations or at-fault insurance claims enjoy the lowest auto insurance premiums. You will see your rates increase by an average of 19 percent if you get a speeding ticket, 31 percent if you cause an auto accident, and 45 percent if you get arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to data from the auto insurance website WalletHub.
The Zebra reports that having a good driving record with no accident claims can save you about 31 percent on your insurance coverage, which would bring your Rhode Island premium almost in line with the more affordable U.S. average. Ask if your auto insurance provider offers a bonus for safe driving, usually in the form of a 5 to 10 percent discount. Drivers with no traffic tickets save nearly 20 percent on coverage.
Average Rhode Island Car Insurance Rates by Age
Drivers ages 16 to 25 pay much more for auto insurance than older drivers do. Rates are especially high before age 20. Rhode Island teens pay an average of $6348 for an annual auto insurance policy, approximately $1400 more than the U.S. average for teens and 300 percent more than the average rate for state residents of all ages. Insurify lists the average annual premiums by age for teens who share a policy with their parents compared to those who buy an individual policy:
- 16 years: $5666, $9694
- 17 years: $5304, $8304
- 18 years: $5257, $7296
- 19 years: $4632, $4638
MoneyGeek reports that these companies offer the most affordable monthly and annual insurance rates for students:
- Allstate: $313, $3759
- GEICO: $504, $6053
- Nationwide: $445, $5339
- Progressive: $403, $4840
- State Farm: $177, $2119
These companies have the most affordable average annual auto insurance rates for 30-year-old drivers with no recent accidents or tickets:
- Amica: $1775
- GEICO: $1570
- Nationwide: $1831
- State Farm: $922
- Travelers Insurance: $1266
Drivers in their 60s often see a rate increase compared to younger drivers. Finance website NerdWallet recommends these insurers, which offer the lowest average annual rates for 65-year-old drivers who want full coverage:
- GEICO: $1570
- Nationwide: $1602
- Quincy Mutual: $2038
- State Farm: $917
- Travelers Insurance: $1275
These companies offer the lowest minimum coverage rates for the average 65-year-old Rhode Island driver:
- Amica: $798
- GEICO: $599
- Quincy Mutual: $755
- State Farm: $359
- Travelers Insurance: $647
If you notice your auto insurance rates start to increase as you get older, get quotes from different companies to see if you can find a cheaper rate. Ask your existing insurance provider about available senior discounts as well.
Top Rhode Island Insurance Companies for Customer Satisfaction
The finance website MoneyGeek gathered data about claims satisfaction from J.D. Power and Associates and about financial strength from AM Best. The researchers report these ratings for large Rhode Island insurance companies:
- Allstate, GEICO, MetLife, Progressive, State Farm, and Travelers Insurance have a claims satisfaction rating of 3 and a financial strength rating of Superior.
- Amica and Nationwide have a claims satisfaction rating of 4 and a financial strength rating of Superior.
- Liberty Mutual and Peerless have a claims satisfaction rating of 3 and a financial strength rating of Excellent.
- USAA has a claims satisfaction rating of 5 and a financial strength rating of Superior.
- Cal Casualty and National Grange Mutual also have Excellent financial strength ratings but were not rated for customer satisfaction.
- Encompass and Quincy Mutual also have Superior financial strength ratings but were not rated for customer satisfaction.
Average Rhode Island Prices for Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
MoneyGeek reports these average monthly and annual rates for combined collision and comprehensive coverage by company for Rhode Island drivers:
- Allstate: $158, $1895
- Amica: $119, $1429
- GEICO: $175, $2105
- Progressive: $145, $1742
- State Farm: $66, $790
- Travelers Insurance: $120, $1443
- USAA: $75, $899
- MetLife: $229, $2751
- Nationwide: $177, $2121
Average Rhode Island Auto Insurance Premiums with Bad Credit
Drivers who have less-than-perfect credit pay more for auto insurance than drivers who have excellent scores. MoneyGeek lists the average monthly and annual costs for drivers who have bad credit from the most affordable insurance providers in this situation:
- Allstate: $292, $3505
- Amica: $184, $2201
- MetLife: $515, $6182
- GEICO: $250, $3003
- Nationwide: $243, $2916
- Progressive: $250, $3000
- Travelers Insurance: $181, $2167
- State Farm: $128, $1534
- USAA: $125, $1502
You need to have at least the minimum amount of car insurance in Rhode Island if you live in the state and have a car and/or a driver's license. You must provide proof of insurance when asked to do so by law enforcement, to get a license, and to register a car.
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
Cheapest Car Insurance in Rhode Island | wallethub.com
Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes in Rhode Island (2021) | insurify.com
Best Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2021 | nerdwallet.com
The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2021 | moneygeek.com
Cheap Rhode Island Car Insurance | thezebra.com
Car Insurance | caranddriver.com
What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance? | caranddriver.com
Hearst Autos Research
Hearst Autos Research, produced independently of the Car and Driver Editorial staff, provides articles about cars and the automotive industry to help readers make informed purchasing choices.
