Rhode Island Car Insurance Laws (2026)
Rhode Island law bars insurers from raising your car insurance rates for accident claims of less than $3,000.
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Writer: Timothy MoorePersonal Finance and Insurance Freelance Writer
Writer: Timothy MoorePersonal Finance and Insurance Freelance Writer
Qualifications:
Certified financial education instructor
Published in USA Today, TIME, Forbes, and Business Insider
Timothy has covered the insurance market for 15 years. He‘s also the editorial director of a niche travel magazine.
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Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Like most other states, Rhode Island requires drivers to buy a minimum amount of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. But Rhode Island car insurance laws also set up some valuable consumer protections.
Rhode Island law allows you to ask for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts for repairs when you file a car insurance claim. And state laws limit why and when auto insurers can increase your premiums if you file a claim.
Here’s what to know about how Rhode Island car insurance laws affect your coverage and claims.
Auto insurance requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires drivers to carry the following minimum amounts of liability insurance:[1]
$25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
$25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
Alternatively, you can meet Rhode Island car insurance requirements with a combined single limit of $75,000 for bodily injury and property damage per accident.
Insurers must also automatically include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in every policy, with limits equal to the policy’s liability limits.
If you buy only state-minimum liability coverage, you can reject UM/UIM coverage in writing. If you buy higher-than-minimum liability limits or full coverage that includes collision, you can’t reject the coverage and will have to buy UM/UIM of at least 25/50/25.[2]
Rhode Island’s required minimum liability limits are nearly identical to car insurance requirements in Connecticut. The key difference: Connecticut’s combined minimum limit is only $50,000, not $75,000. Connecticut also requires uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Neighboring Massachusetts’ auto insurance requirements are also similar to those in Rhode Island. But unlike Rhode Island, Massachusetts is a no-fault insurance state, so its car insurance requirements also include personal injury protection (PIP).
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Is state-minimum car insurance in Rhode Island enough coverage?
The state-minimum car insurance in Rhode Island is rarely enough to protect you financially in the event of an accident. The state’s minimum liability limits are comparatively low, meaning your assets could be at risk if you’re the at-fault driver in an expensive crash.
Beyond raising liability limits, consider the following for your Rhode Island auto insurance:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage: Though you can technically reject this coverage or request lower limits, doing so is risky. About 12% of Rhode Island drivers don’t have car insurance, according to data from the Insurance Research Council. UM/UIM coverage protects you in hit-and-runs and in collisions with uninsured drivers.
Collision coverage: In Rhode Island, 6.15% of drivers have an accident in their driving history, according to Insurify data. This is the second-highest accident rate in the country, behind only neighboring Massachusetts (6.71%), whose drivers might regularly visit Rhode Island given their proximity. Carrying collision insurance can protect you financially if a crash damages your vehicle in Rhode Island.
Comprehensive coverage: In 2024, 1,347 deer collisions occurred in Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Comprehensive insurance would help cover damage to your vehicle from such a collision, after you pay your deductible.
Agent Tip: Why it‘s important to get a full-coverage policy
“A lot of states have the same minimum required coverage levels as Rhode Island. But most drivers need more protection because one accident can easily total over $25,000 in damages. Any costs above your policy limits could come out of your pocket if you cause a crash.”
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Brett ClendenenLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Sales Manager
Penalties for driving without insurance in Rhode Island
Driving without insurance in Rhode Island is against the law, and uninsured drivers face serious consequences, including fines, fees, and suspension of their license and registration.
Subsequent offenses increase the duration of the suspension and the amount of the potential fine. A third strike also makes the offense a civil violation in Rhode Island, which could require you to go to court and pay a much higher fine.
The following table shows the fines, fees, and consequences of driving uninsured in Rhode Island:[3]
Fine | License and Registration Suspension | Reinstatement Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | $100–$500 | 3 months | $30–$50 |
| Second offense | $500 | 6 months | $30–$50 |
| Third and subsequent offenses | $1,000 | Up to 1 year | $30–$50 |
You can also expect higher auto insurance rates after driving without insurance. Car insurance premiums typically increase after accidents, speeding tickets, and offenses on your driving record, such as a lapse in coverage.
It’s worth noting, though, that Rhode Island law stipulates what types of accidents and claims insurers can consider to raise your rates. Generally, if the accident caused less than $3,000 in damage, or you were 50% or less at fault, an insurer can’t use the accident as a reason to raise your premium when your policy renews.[4]
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RI limits when insurers can require aftermarket parts for repairs
When your car’s being repaired after an accident, Rhode Island law gives you control over what type of replacement parts the repair shop uses — OEM or aftermarket.
Insurers must notify you in writing if they want a repair shop to use non-OEM parts. And repair shops can’t use aftermarket parts without your written consent.
Specifically:
Cars under 4 years old (less than 48 months): Insurers can’t require repairers to use non-OEM parts without your written consent.
Cars between 4 and 6 years old (48 to 72 months): Insurers can’t refuse the use of OEM parts if you provide the repair shop with written consent to use OEM parts.
Rhode Island insurance laws FAQs
Find more answers to your questions about car insurance laws in Rhode Island.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault state?
No. Rhode Island isn’t a no-fault state for car insurance. In Rhode Island, the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for injuries and damages. In instances where multiple drivers are at fault, Rhode Island uses comparative negligence to determine financial responsibility.[5]
Can Rhode Island drivers reject uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes. Rhode Island drivers can reject uninsured motorist coverage in certain scenarios. You must reject the property damage portion of uninsured motorist coverage in writing if you don’t have collision coverage. If you have collision coverage, you can reject uninsured motorist property damage coverage without putting it in writing. And if you buy only the minimum coverage required for bodily injury liability, you can reject uninsured motorist coverage for bodily injury in writing.
What should you do after a car accident in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles offers clear steps for what to do after a car accident in Rhode Island. Stop the vehicle (or move it to the side of the road, if possible) and, importantly, remain at the scene. Identify yourself with others involved and get their information as well. As soon as you can, contact the police, especially if you need rescue services for an injury. Wait for emergency services to take any other action.
How does comparative negligence in Rhode Island affect a car insurance claim?
Rhode Island’s comparative negligence rule means your percentage of fault in an accident can reduce your insurance payout. For example, if your total damages are $10,000, including property damage and medical expenses, but you’re 20% at fault for a crash, your claim payout would be just $8,000 — a 20% reduction.
What’s the best car insurance in Rhode Island?
Amica, GEICO, and HiRoad are among the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island, according to Insurify data and research.
How much does car insurance cost in Rhode Island?
The average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $297 per month for full coverage and $177 per month for a liability-only policy, according to Insurify data. Keep in mind, young drivers and other high-risk drivers will pay more. For example, the average monthly cost of full-coverage after a DUI in Rhode Island is $364.
Sources
- Rhode Island Department of State. "Automobile Insurance Rating (230-RICR-20-05-3)."
- Rhode Island Department of State. "Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance (230-RICR-20-05-1)."
- Rhode Island State Legislature. "Title 31 Motor and Other Vehicles."
- Rhode Island Department of State. "Automobile Insurance Rating."
- Rhode Island State Legislature. "Title 9 Courts and Civil Procedure — Procedure Generally Chapter 20 Decisions, Special Findings and Assessment of Damages."
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Writer: Timothy MoorePersonal Finance and Insurance Freelance Writer
Writer: Timothy MoorePersonal Finance and Insurance Freelance Writer
Qualifications:
Certified financial education instructor
Published in USA Today, TIME, Forbes, and Business Insider
Timothy has covered the insurance market for 15 years. He‘s also the editorial director of a niche travel magazine.
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Editor: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.