Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Rhode Island (2025)
High-risk drivers in Rhode Island often pay more expensive rates than drivers with a clean record. But it’s still possible to find affordable coverage.
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Written byElizabeth Rivelli
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Elizabeth Rivelli
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
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7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
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Table of contents
Despite being the smallest state, Rhode Island has a large number of high-risk drivers, including people with driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. While the state doesn’t require high-risk drivers to carry SR-22 insurance, high-risk Rhode Island drivers may have difficulty getting coverage — and have to pay higher premiums.[1]
The cost of liability car insurance for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island is $172 per month, on average, compared to $146 per month for drivers with clean records. Here’s what to know about getting high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island and how to find the best rate.
Quick Facts
Direct Auto has the lowest average premiums for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island doesn’t use a points system to determine risk or penalties.
Rhode Island drivers with a DUI on their record typically pay the highest rates.
Who is a high-risk driver in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, a high-risk driver typically refers to someone who has a history of serious traffic violations or convictions on their driving record. This might include:
Multiple at-fault accidents
DUI conviction
Reckless driving charge
Teens or newly licensed drivers
Driving with a suspended license
Driving without car insurance
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island
Liability rates average $172 per month for drivers with an incident
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
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Best Rhode Island auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers
The cost of high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island varies depending on the seriousness of the traffic violations on record. Insurers also look at other factors when determining rates, like age, vehicle type, location, ZIP code, and how often you drive.[2]
If you’re a high-risk driver, shopping around to compare rates and coverage can help you find the best policy for your situation. Here’s a look at some of the best auto insurance companies in Rhode Island for high-risk drivers.
Direct Auto: Best for low rates
| 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 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
| 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. | $158/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. | $251/mo |
How drivers feel about Direct Auto
Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High-risk drivers
Ample discounts
24/7 claims support
How drivers feel about Direct Auto
Drivers appreciate the insurer’s helpful customer service and easy-to-use website. But they dislike the frequent and significant rate increases, especially for those with clean driving records. Some also report difficulties with roadside assistance.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High-risk drivers
Ample discounts
24/7 claims support
Reviews (373)
Amber
Verified Review
The payment price was good at first, but if you don’t have your account on auto-pay, then the payments increase. I don’t like that because I need my payments to be lower, not higher.
Reviewed in Arkansas on October 2025
The payment price was good at first, but if you don’t have your account on auto-pay, then the payments increase. I don’t like that because I need my payments to be lower, not higher.
Kelly
Verified Review
Very Poor
Reviewed in Tennessee on October 2025
I didn't have any wrecks or DUIs and they keep increasing the prices.
Bernard
Verified Review
Prices
Reviewed in Alabama on September 2025
They are charging me for my wife as a driver, and she's never driven a car in her entire life.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
NRNAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
NRA.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).
AWhy we picked this company
In Rhode Island, Direct Auto specializes in high-risk auto insurance and has some of the lowest average premiums. The company offers a handful of car insurance discounts, with savings for military personnel, good students, seniors, and policy bundling. Plus, you can select your own payment schedule, down payment, and payment method.
Pros
Low premiums for high-risk drivers
Numerous discounts
Multiple payment options
Cons
No Rhode Island locations
Fewer coverage options than some other insurers
Poor mobile app reviews
Allstate: Best for customer satisfaction
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.9 /10 |
| 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. | $329/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. | $391/mo |
3.9
A solid optionBased on 7,208 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Allstate
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Accident forgiveness
Wide availability
Cheap rates
How drivers feel about Allstate
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Accident forgiveness
Wide availability
Cheap rates
Reviews (3,769)
Stephen
Verified Review
Good to bad
Reviewed in Texas on October 2025
They started out very affordable, but now they are very expensive.
Jerry
Verified Review
Average
Reviewed in Illinois on October 2025
After a few months, they raise your rates over 30% even when you don’t file a claim.
John
Verified Review
You Asked
Reviewed in Illinois on October 2025
Seems expensive, but the service and coverage are very good. You get what you pay for.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
636NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.02A.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-Why we picked this company
Allstate ranks second for overall customer satisfaction in New England in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Although Allstate has high average premiums for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island, it offers a variety of discounts that may reduce your rate. And it’s simple to get a quote and purchase a policy online.
Pros
Excellent J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
Many available discounts
Can get a quote and buy a policy online
Cons
Expensive premiums for high-risk drivers
Higher-than-average number of consumer complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
GEICO: Best for discounts
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.2 /10 |
| 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. | $206/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. | $245/mo |
3.9
A solid optionBased on 12,479 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Reviews (6,601)
Pamela
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Reviewed in on October 2025
Excellent. They work with you and are very efficient. Would highly recommend.
Adrian
Verified Purchase
Changed my price when I agreed to policy
Reviewed in on October 2025
When I agreed to accept the policy, my price went up $20 a month instantly. I wasn’t happy.
Maria
Verified Review
Lowest for the Elderly with Minimum Miles
Reviewed in New York on October 2025
Very good for the elderly.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
637NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59A.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++Why we picked this company
GEICO offers many types of insurance discounts that can help high-risk drivers lower their rates. Savings are available for military personnel, federal employees, and good students. Plus, you may be able to get a discount for policy bundling or taking a defensive driving course. GEICO also ranks No. 3 in New England for customer satisfaction with J.D. Power.
Pros
More than 20 car insurance discounts
Reasonable premiums for high-risk drivers
Strong customer satisfaction
Cons
Limited add-on coverage options
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Gap insurance not available
When choosing the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island, we compared factors like costs for drivers with an incident, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability.
The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.
Cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island with an at-fault accident
Drivers with an at-fault accident on their record typically pay higher car insurance premiums than people with a clean record. Insurance companies assume more risk to insure drivers with a history of collisions, which is why they often increase premiums after an accident.
Below, you can see the average car insurance rates from several insurance companies in Rhode Island for drivers with an at-fault accident.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, October 6 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company  | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $176 | $187 |
| USAA | $187 | $199 |
| Travelers | $221 | $233 |
| State Farm | $254 | $269 |
| Allstate | $270 | $285 |
| GEICO | $276 | $285 |
| Nationwide | $276 | $292 |
| Progressive | $423 | $646 |
| Chubb | $496 | $526 |
| Bristol West | $560 | $725 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ 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 in Rhode Island with a DUI
A DUI is one of the most serious convictions, and it can have a significant effect on auto insurance premiums. If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence in Rhode Island, you’ll likely face an insurance rate increase.
In the following table, you can see the average cost of liability-only insurance and full-coverage insurance for Rhode Island drivers with a DUI on their record.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, October 6 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $198 | $210 |
| USAA | $211 | $225 |
| Travelers | $248 | $262 |
| State Farm | $290 | $307 |
| Allstate | $305 | $322 |
| Nationwide | $310 | $328 |
| GEICO | $314 | $324 |
| Progressive | $483 | $738 |
| Chubb | $564 | $598 |
| Bristol West | $635 | $822 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Cheapest auto insurance in Rhode Island with a speeding ticket
Getting a speeding ticket can affect your auto insurance premium. If you get caught speeding, it indicates to your insurance company that you’re potentially driving unsafely, increasing the risk of an accident or other serious incident.
Below, you can see average car insurance rates in Rhode Island for drivers with speeding tickets from several insurers.
The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, October 6 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Quote: Liability Only | Average Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $174 | $185 |
| USAA | $175 | $187 |
| Travelers | $207 | $219 |
| State Farm | $237 | $251 |
| Allstate | $254 | $268 |
| Nationwide | $258 | $274 |
| GEICO | $275 | $284 |
| Progressive | $378 | $578 |
| Chubb | $463 | $491 |
| Bristol West | $521 | $674 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island
High-risk drivers in the Ocean State often pay the most expensive car insurance premiums. But if your record is less than perfect, you may be able to lower your rate.
Here are some tips that could help you get cheaper car insurance:[3]
Check for discounts. Many Rhode Island car insurance companies offer discounts. While exact savings vary, you can often find discounts for good students, taking a defensive driving course, policy bundling, paying your premium in full, and insuring a vehicle with certain safety features.
Consider state-run programs. If you can’t find affordable standard auto insurance, you might qualify for insurance coverage through the Rhode Island Automobile Insurance Plan (RIAIP). This speciality coverage is available to Rhode Islanders who’ve tried and failed to get car insurance within the last 60 days.[4]
Work with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent can help you get quotes from numerous insurers that work with high-risk drivers. This can help you find the cheapest rate without having to do the comparison shopping yourself.
Raise your deductibles. If you have a full-coverage car insurance policy, raising your deductibles for collision and comprehensive insurance can reduce your monthly premium. Just make sure to choose a deductible that you could afford to pay if you had to file a claim.
Compare quotes. One of the most effective ways to find affordable high-risk auto insurance in Rhode Island is to compare quotes from several insurance companies. To simplify the process of comparing quotes, you can use a comparison website to see quotes from multiple insurers using a single application.
Compare Rhode Island Car Insurance Quotes
See quotes from top insurers in minutes
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Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
How to improve your driving record in Rhode Island
If you’re a high-risk driver in Rhode Island, you may be able to save money on car insurance by improving your driving record. Here are some ways to do that:
Take a defensive driving course
Completing a defensive driving course could help improve your driving record. Additionally, many Rhode Island car insurance companies offer a discount to drivers who complete an approved program.
Get legal help for traffic violations and tickets
If you have erroneous traffic violations on your driving record or need to dispute a ticket, an attorney can sometimes help you have them removed from your record or fight the charges.
Improve your credit
Rhode Islanders with poor credit often pay higher rates than drivers with good credit. Raising your credit by paying your bills on time and keeping credit utilization low can potentially improve your driving record.
Rhode Island high-risk drivers insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island, here’s some additional information that can be helpful as you compare policies and quotes.
Does Rhode Island require SR-22s?
No. Rhode Island doesn’t require SR-22 certificates for high-risk drivers. But while SR-22s in Rhode Island aren’t mandatory for high-risk drivers, having a poor driving record or credit history can still affect your premium.
Which driver is considered high-risk in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, a high-risk driver usually has multiple at-fault accidents, multiple serious traffic violations within a short period of time, or a DUI conviction. Additionally, insurers may consider people who get caught driving without car insurance or with a suspended license to be high risk.
How do auto insurance companies calculate risk in Rhode Island?
Car insurance companies in Rhode Island calculate risk by reviewing customers’ driving records and credit-based insurance scores. If the insurer determines that a driver poses a higher amount of risk due to their history and other rating factors, they’ll likely assign a higher premium.
What is the cheapest insurance company for Rhode Island high-risk drivers?
Based on Insurify’s data, the cheapest auto insurance company for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island is USAA, with an average rate of $157 per month for liability insurance.
How much does high-risk auto insurance cost in Rhode Island?
The total monthly cost of high-risk auto insurance in Rhode Island is $172 per month for a liability policy. But car insurance premiums depend on many factors, including your ZIP code, age, and vehicle type.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault car accident state?
No. Rhode Island isn’t a no-fault state. That means the driver who causes an accident is responsible for compensating the other person for their injuries and property damages using their car insurance.
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Sources
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. "GU-1338 Rhode Island Special Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
- Automobile Insurance Plan Service Office. "Rhode Island Automobile Insurance Plan."
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Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com.
Elizabeth has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in