Rhode Island Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Rhode Island law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Rhode Island must hold 25/50/25 in bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Rhode Island

The minimum car insurance requirements in Rhode Island^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

Rhode Island is an at-fault or tort state. This means the at-fault driver uses their car insurance policy to cover the other driver’s medical bills and property damages from the accident. Evidence like police reports, cameras, and witness statements can help determine liability.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Rhode Island.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Rhode Island.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Rhode Island?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Rhode Island provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. If you get involved in a catastrophic at-fault accident, $25,000 for property damage may not be enough, for example. Additional coverage can help you avoid high out-of-pocket costs.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Rhode Island

Rhode Island drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Rhode Island, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Other Supplemental Coverage

Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, is designed to cover injuries that you or your passengers sustain after an accident, no matter who is at fault. It doesn’t carry a deductible or co-pay. Rental car reimbursement is an optional coverage that can come in handy if you need a rental car because your vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident.

There’s also roadside assistance that offers services to help you when you’re dealing with car trouble. It offers jump starts for dead batteries, lockout services, fuel delivery, winching, and other emergency services.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Rhode Island

It is illegal to drive in Rhode Island without the minimum car insurance coverage^[2].

• Fines: You may be on the hook for fines that range from $100 to $1,000.

• License suspension: Your license might be suspended for three months to a year.

• Fees: In addition to fines, you may have to pay fees, like a license reinstatement fee.

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Rhode Island

The SR-22 is a certificate you pay for through your insurance company after a serious traffic offense, like a DUI or reckless driving. It’s proof that you have met the minimum car insurance requirements for a certain period.

While Rhode Island no longer requires an SR-22, you must file an SR-22 if another state requires you to. The Rhode Island Adjudication Office will let you know if this is the case.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Rhode Island

DUI Insurance in Rhode Island

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Rhode Island

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Rhode Island.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Rhode Island, consider the Insurify tool. You can use it to compare car insurance quotes for free. All you have to do is provide some basic information about yourself and your vehicle. Once you do, you’ll be able to find the right policy for your particular budget, driving habits, and preferences.