Best car insurance in Rhode Island (2024)

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Nicole WakelinAutomotive journalistNicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast. Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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The average cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy in Rhode Island is $1,830 a year, but your rates will vary depending on where you live. For example, in Pawtucket, the average rate is $2,166 a year while in Jamestown then the average rate is only $1,412.

Ready to shop car insurance?

The best way to find cheap car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple companies before you buy. Policygenius can show you quotes from top car insurance companies, so you can be sure you’re getting the coverage you need at an affordable rate.

Key takeaways

  • State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates in Rhode Island at $950 per year

  • State Farm also has the cheapest car insurance for 16-year-olds in Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island

Each insurance company considers the same factors, like your age, driving history, address, and credit score in determining your rate.

Although they all use the same data, they don’t weigh each factor in the same way, so you could be offered the same insurance coverage at different rates depending on the company. That’s why it’s so important to shop around before you buy.

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

State Farm

$79/month

882

USAA

$92/month

890

Travelers

$112/month

854

GEICO

$125/month

874

Main Street America

$143/month

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Cheapest car insurance companies by age in Rhode Island

Young drivers pay the most for car insurance of any age group, because their inexperience on the road means they're more likely to get into an accident and need to file a claim.

Age

Cheapest company

Average cost

16

State Farm

$3,034

18

State Farm

$2,547

21

State Farm

$1,753

25

State Farm

$1,096

30

State Farm

$964

35

State Farm

$952

45

State Farm

$935

55

State Farm

$881

60

State Farm

$851

65

State Farm

$958

70

State Farm

$958

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Choosing the right car insurance company in Rhode Island

There’s no one right company for every driver. Because car insurance rates are so personalized, the company that offers your neighbor their cheapest rates may not be the most affordable one for you.

The only way to be sure you’re finding the best company for you is to shop around and compare quotes before you buy. Policygenius makes it easy to compare options, so you can pick the car insurance company that offers you the most coverage at the lowest rate.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Rhode Island

The more driving violations or accidents on your record, the higher your car insurance rates will be, and more serious violations lead to bigger increases. Do what you can to avoid accidents and speeding tickets and you will get a better rate on car insurance.

Violation

State Farm

USAA

Travelers

GEICO

Main Street America

At-fault accident

$1,311

$1,924

$1,504

$2,571

$2,895

Suspended license

$964

$1,986

$1,992

$1,884

$2,991

Open container

$964

$1,846

$1,992

$4,751

$2,991

Expired registration

$964

$1,334

$1,442

$2,097

$2,573

Driving without lights

$964

$1,334

$1,782

$1,884

$2,573

Running a red light

$964

$1,334

$1,782

$2,571

$3,102

Following too closely

$964

$1,334

$1,782

$1,884

$3,102

Hit and run

$964

$2,250

$1,992

$5,264

$2,991

Not-at-fault accident

$964

$1,174

$1,630

$1,791

$1,943

Passing a school bus

$964

$1,684

$1,782

$2,571

$2,991

Reckless driving

$964

$1,684

$1,992

$4,751

$2,991

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Rhode Island

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$964

Travelers

$1,992

USAA

$2,120

Main Street America

$2,991

GEICO

$5,264

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Rhode Island

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$964

USAA

$1,334

Travelers

$1,992

GEICO

$2,571

Main Street America

$2,991

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Rhode Island

Poor credit scores mean higher car insurance rates, so if you know you have bad credit, it’s even more important to shop around for coverage before you buy.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

State Farm

$1,982

GEICO

$2,104

Travelers

$2,388

USAA

$2,392

Nationwide

$3,305

Car insurance costs in Rhode Island cities

Your neighborhood also affects what you’ll pay for car insurance. The numbers of accidents and claims, reports of car theft and vandalism, even the average cost of car repairs where you live will affect what you’ll pay for coverage.

  • Providence: $2,498

  • Cranston: $2,149

  • Warwick: $1,868

  • Pawtucket: $2,166

  • East Providence: $2,062

  • Woonsocket $1,849

  • Newport: $1,413

  • Central Falls: $2,350

  • Westerly: $1,453

  • Newport East: $1,389

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Rhode Island

You are required to have car insurance in order to register a car in Rhode Island. The minimum amount of car insurance coverage required by law is:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000

  • Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000

  • Property damage liability coverage: $25,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Rhode Island drivers must carry proof of car insurance in their vehicle and it must be carried throughout the registration period. If you can’t show proof of insurance when it’s requested, then you may race consequences including fines and license suspension.

How to get cheap car insurance in Rhode Island

  • Drive safely: Avoid accidents and driving violations if you want the lowest rates on your car insurance

  • Compare quotes: You should compare options from several insurers if you want to get the cheapest rate possible

  • Bundle policies: Get your car and home insurance policies from the same company and save on both

  • Score discounts: Earn savings for paying your premiums in full, going paperless, taking a defensive driving course or sticking with the same insurance company

Frequently asked questions

Who has the cheapest car insurance rates in Rhode Island?

The cheapest insurance companies in Rhode Island are State Farm and USAA, although USAA policies are only available to families associated with the U.S. military.

Is Rhode Island a no-fault state?

Rhode Island is not a no-fault state. The car insurance company of the driver who is at-fault for an accident will pay the medical bills and repair costs of the other party in the accident.

Does Rhode Island require car insurance?

Yes, Rhode Island requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Uninsured/underinsurance motorist coverage is also required.

How much is car insurance per month in Rhode Island?

Drivers in Rhode Island pay an average of $153 per month for car insurance, which comes to $1,830 per year.

Authors

Nicole Wakelin is an automotive journalist who has covered the industry for over a decade. She’s always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand her the keys to shiny new automobiles so she can write about them is a constant source of amazement. She covers breaking news, writes reviews, and attends auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country.

Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications both online and in print. These include U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, TrueCar, Kelley Blue Book, and Autobytel. In addition, she speaks to all things automotive at conferences, on the radio, and on podcasts, including co-hosting the weekly Wheel Bearings Podcast.

Nicole is a current member and former Vice President of the New England Motor Press Association. She is also a juror for both the Women’s World Car of the Year and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

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