7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Rhode Island’s overall and full-coverage car insurance averages are on par with national averages, according to Insurify data. But its liability car insurance costs are higher. In the Ocean State, liability-only coverage averages $138 per month, compared to the national average of $104.
A 50% increase in fatal traffic accidents from 2022 to 2023[1] and a high number of alcohol-impaired drivers[2] likely contribute to the Ocean State’s higher liability insurance costs.
Still, Rhode Island drivers can find affordable rates from USAA, Safeco, GEICO, and other insurers by comparing quotes from multiple companies. Here’s what you should know about finding affordable auto coverage in Rhode Island.
Quick Facts
Rhode Island’s average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $185 per month, and liability-only coverage averages $138 per month.
Nearly 44% of all fatal crashes in the state in 2022 involved alcohol, compared to the national average of 30%, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
In the first nine months of 2023, Rhode Island saw a 50% increase in the number of traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island
Every driver in Rhode Island has a unique situation that affects their insurance needs and rates. But some of the best insurance companies in the state offer more affordable auto rates than others by coverage level and driver profile.
If you want to lock in the best deal, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers. Below, you can learn about some of the cheapest and best insurance companies in Rhode Island to help you streamline your search.
Insurance Company
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Full Coverage
Liability Only
Best For
USAA
4.5
$100
$46
Cheap rates
Safeco
3.8
$125
$66
Safe drivers
GEICO
4.2
$119
$54
Families
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
884
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$83/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$111/mo
USAA offers the most affordable car insurance premiums in the state, but many people don’t qualify for coverage. The company only offers coverage to active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and qualifying family members. In addition to low rates, USAA has relatively high customer satisfaction ratings and a handful of discounts.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$81/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$140/mo
Safeco tends to offer low rates for Rhode Island car insurance. Specifics vary, but safe drivers can save money through the company’s accident forgiveness benefit, claims-free cash back, and diminishing deductible coverages. Drivers can also earn savings through the RightTrack telematics program.
Pros
Ability to earn cash back after claims-free period
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
827
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$162/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$219/mo
Owned by Berkshire Hathaway, GEICO is the third-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share. Rhode Island families may find GEICO appealing for its competitively low rates, including for young drivers who typically pay more for coverage. The company also offers numerous discounts that can help families save even more, such as for being a good student, staying accident-free for five years, having multiple vehicles on one policy, having multiple GEICO policies, and even for being in the military or a federal employee.
Pros
Competitive rates for many Rhode Island drivers
Offers accident forgiveness coverage
Cons
Higher rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs
I had an accident and they raised my rates to over $8,000 a year. I initially thought I was making normal upfront payments, but it turned out to be monthly payments.
Jerrett - April 15, 2024
Verified
Poor
Too expensive.
Randy - April 15, 2024
Verified
Good
It's a good company, but I feel the price keeps going up.
…
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island
You can’t avoid the expense of car insurance, but you can make sure you don’t pay more than you need to for coverage. Consider the strategies below to help you find the best rates for your driving situation:
Shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies can help you find the cheapest car insurance for your needs. Consider shopping around each year because the cheapest options will change over time.
Increase your deductible. In general, a higher collision or comprehensive deductible leads to lower auto insurance premiums. If you can afford a higher deductible, this is a viable route.
Ask for discounts. Many insurance companies offer a lengthy list of discounts, so you can always ask whether you qualify for any.[3]
Consider telematics. Telematics-based coverage uses a device or mobile app to track your driving habits. Many insurers offer discounts just for enrolling, and some reward good driving with premium reductions.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Rhode Island
After a car accident, liability-only car insurance helps you pay for the damages or injuries you caused to the other driver and their passengers. For example, your liability insurance can kick in to repair another party’s vehicle or pay for their medical bills.[4]
In general, minimum-coverage car insurance is the most affordable policy option, but it may not include all the coverage you want. You should make sure this coverage offers enough financial protection for your situation. Insurance professionals generally recommend you buy more liability than your state’s minimum required amount.
Rhode Island-based drivers pay a monthly average of $138 for liability-only insurance. The following table provides examples of liability rates from some top insurers.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Rhode Island
Full-coverage auto insurance extends beyond a liability-only car insurance policy to offer significantly more vehicle protection. On top of liability coverage, this type of policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage. If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company will typically require you to buy full coverage. But it’s a good idea to consider full coverage, even if you’re not required to buy it.
After an accident, collision coverage can help you pay to repair your vehicle or purchase a replacement vehicle. If you encounter a different kind of incident, like a fallen tree or natural disaster, comprehensive coverage can help you get back on the road.
Full-coverage policies in Rhode Island cost drivers an average of $185 per month. Here are the cheapest car insurance rates Rhode Island drivers can find to secure affordable full-coverage insurance.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island drivers must carry a minimum amount of car insurance to drive legally in the state. The minimum coverage requirements include the following:
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$25,000 per accident
You may decide you want more coverage than the minimum liability coverage required in the state. Common optional coverages that provide more protection include:
Collision coverage
Collision coverage kicks in if you have an accident that causes vehicle damage. This includes collisions with other vehicles, or with an object like a tree or light pole. It also covers rollover accidents and pothole damage.
Comprehensive coverage
If a non-collision incident — such as severe weather, theft, fire, or vandalism — causes vehicle damage, comprehensive insurance covers it.
Medical payments coverage
Also called MedPay, this coverage takes care of medical bills for you and your passengers following an accident.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Depending on the severity of the offense, making a mistake while driving can have a lasting effect on the cost of your auto insurance premiums for several years. In general, drivers with an incident, including speeding tickets, driving under the influence, and at-fault accidents, pay more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record.[5]
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island
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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
The initial penalty of a speeding ticket is a fine. But after you pay the fine, you’ll likely also deal with higher car insurance premiums for three to five years because insurers consider speeding tickets as indicators of risk.
Rhode Island drivers with speeding tickets pay a monthly average of $261 for full coverage and $195 for liability-only policies, according to Insurify data. Here are the cheapest monthly quotes for Rhode Island drivers with a speeding ticket.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
Most insurers consider past at-fault accidents as indicators of future claims. After you have one or more at-fault accidents, you’ll typically have to pay higher car insurance premiums. You may be able to keep your rates lower after an at-fault accident if you buy accident forgiveness coverage first.
An at-fault accident in Rhode Island pushes average car insurance rates to $236 per month for full coverage and $176 for minimum coverage. Take a closer look at monthly quotes offered by Rhode Island insurers for drivers with an at-fault accident:
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DWI
A DWI charge is one of the most serious moving violations a driver can incur. Drivers with a DWI pay much more for car insurance than drivers with a clean record or less serious incidents, like a speeding ticket. You can see higher rates for three to five years following a conviction for driving while impaired.
Impaired driving is a significant problem in Rhode Island. Every year, law enforcement agencies around the state arrest about 3,000 people for driving under the influence, and nearly 70% of those suspects refuse blood alcohol testing, according to RIDOT. The average blood alcohol concentration of people who do submit to testing is approximately 0.17, which is more than twice the legal limit.
The impact of a DUI pushes liability rates especially high in Rhode Island, where the average cost of liability-only coverage following a DUI is $204. Here are quotes for drivers with a DUI from some top insurers in Rhode Island:
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Insurers consider your age when determining premiums. Most drivers can expect rates to drop off significantly between the ages of 25 and 35 and continue to decline gradually for decades. But the trend tends to reverse slightly around age 70. You might start to see marginally higher auto insurance premiums increase as a senior driver due to increased accident risk.
The average cost of car insurance for Rhode Island senior drivers is $123 per month for full coverage and $91 for liability-only policies. Compare the quotes for Rhode Island seniors from top insurers below:
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Teen drivers have the least amount of experience behind the wheel and the highest accident frequency of any age group, which results in the highest costs for auto insurance premiums by driver age. Though you can’t change your age, young drivers don’t need to overpay for auto insurance.
You can save on car insurance as a teenager by staying on your parents’ insurance company, increasing your deductible, getting good grades, and driving a safer vehicle.[6] If you’re younger than 18, you won’t be able to buy your own policy without the written consent of a parent or guardian. Comparing rates across multiple insurance companies can help you find the best deal for your unique situation.
On average, car insurance for Rhode Island teens costs $456 per month for full coverage and $340 for liability-only insurance. Explore the rates for young drivers in Rhode Island below to begin your search:
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, April 1 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Rhode Island car insurance quotes by credit tier
Rhode Island insurers can consider your credit history when determining your premium. Drivers with excellent or good credit scores pay less for car insurance than drivers with poor credit scores. If you want to use this to your advantage, you can work on improving your credit score by paying bills on time and disputing mistakes on your credit report.
Here’s what Rhode Island drivers pay for auto coverage by credit tier on average:
Rates by Credit Tier
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Rhode Island car insurance FAQs
You have to consider a lot of factors when determining how much auto coverage you need and what you value in an insurer. Find more information about buying coverage in Rhode Island below.
How much is car insurance in Rhode Island?
The overall average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $162 per month. Drivers in the state pay $138 per month for liability coverage and $185 for full-coverage car insurance. Your specific rate depends on your insurer, driving record, age, vehicle type, and more.
What are the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island?
USAA is the best car insurance company selling coverage in Rhode Island. Other top insurers in Rhode Island include Safeco and GEICO. But the best company for you will depend on your coverage needs and individual driver profile.
Is car insurance cheaper in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island’s average cost of full-coverage car insurance is slightly less than the national average. In the Ocean State, drivers pay $185 per month for full coverage, compared to the national average of $213. But liability costs in the state trend higher than national averages — $138 versus $104 at the national level.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault state?
No. Rhode Island is an at-fault, or tort, state. If you cause an accident, you — and your insurer — must cover the cost of property damage and bodily injury you cause the other driver and their passengers.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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