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How much does car insurance cost in the Ocean State?
Though Rhode Island is the smallest state in size, its drivers still travel over 7 billion miles each year. Because Rhode Island is an at-fault state, drivers are financially responsible for the accidents they cause. The state requires every driver to have adequate car insurance with minimum liability coverage limits, which affects how much you spend on auto insurance.
The cost of auto insurance in Rhode Island depends on many factors, including age, gender, ZIP code, car make and model, and credit score. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when it comes to costs in the state.
On average, you can expect to pay $1,409 per year in Rhode Island for auto insurance. However, your price may be well above or below that, depending on your demographic details and the amount of coverage you opt for. Let’s take a closer look at the demographic details below.
Where you live will impact your rate. Some places have a higher number of claims than others, which causes insurance rates to go up in those areas.
City | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Cumberland | $1,820 |
Providence | $1,694 |
Pawtucket | $2,083 |
Warwick | $1,914 |
Age is one of the most significant factors affecting your car insurance rates. Younger drivers, especially teen drivers, tend to be more expensive than older drivers because they lack the experience and safety mindset of older drivers. This is true in Rhode Island and across the country. When drivers hit their 20s, they can expect a decrease in premiums, especially around age 25.
Age | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
16 | $8,080 |
17 | $7,674 |
18 | $6,551 |
20s | $2,820 |
30s | $1,667 |
40s | $1,602 |
50s | $1,510 |
60s | $1,617 |
70s | $1,992 |
In general, men tend to pay more for car insurance than women because they are more likely to get into an accident. The difference becomes less significant the older you get. In Rhode Island, men pay about 2 percent more than women.
Gender | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Male | $1,437 |
Female | $1,380 |
When you opt for more coverage on your auto insurance policy, you will pay more. In Rhode Island, drivers pay about twice as much for full coverage versus liability only. However, full coverage will prevent high out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
Coverage level | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Minimum | $683 |
Full | $1,578 |
You will pay more for auto insurance when you have an accident or a ticket on your record. The higher rate is because insurance companies consider you a higher risk for accidents and other violations.
Learn more about how DUIs and tickets impact your insurance in Rhode Island.
Driving record | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Clean | $1,409 |
At-fault accident | $2,299 |
Ticket | $2,057 |
DUI | $2,965 |
It’s always a good idea to shop around for the best rate. Different insurance companies rate different demographics differently based on company experience. It means you’ll get different rates from each company you get a quote from.
Company | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Travelers | $1,133 |
American Family | $1,356 |
Amica Mutual | $1,502 |
Allstate | $1,781 |
Progressive | $1,669 |
Nationwide | $1,801 |
GEICO | $1,724 |
When you shop for the best rates, be sure to compare coverage with like coverage. You want to make sure you are getting the coverage you want for the best price, not just getting a better price because a certain coverage was omitted from your quote.
Rhode Island is a state that allows insurance carriers to use credit score to help determine insurance rates. The better your credit score is, the lower your premium will be.
Credit score | Average annual cost of car insurance |
---|---|
Excellent | $1,382 |
Good | $1,785 |
Average | $2,113 |
Poor | $2,766 |
Improve your credit score and ask your insurance company to reassess your premium based on better credit. Good credit can save you money.
Demographic | Cheapest company | Annual rate |
---|---|---|
Ticket | USAA | $1,332 |
Accident | State Farm | $1,116 |
DUI | USAA | $1,900 |
Male teens | State Farm | $3,389 |
Female teens | State Farm | $2,543 |
Military | USAA | $1,045 |
Full coverage | State Farm | $1,039 |
Minimum coverage | State Farm | $976 |
Poor credit | GEICO | $2,558 |
18 years old | Allstate | $3,684 |
25 years old | State Farm | $1,210 |
35 years old | State Farm | $933 |
60 years old | USAA | $864 |
There are some standard ways to save on car insurance in Rhode Island. One example is to adjust your deductible. The deductible is what you pay to repair your car if you are in an at-fault accident. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be because you are assuming more responsibility for the cost.
Some people will also adjust coverages and liability limits. The lower your limits are, the less your premium will be. Keep in mind that if you reduce coverage, you could be on the hook for the difference between what your insurance covers and overall damages from the accident.
Also, ask your carrier about any discounts that you are eligible for. You may get a reduced premium if you drive fewer than 5,000 miles per year or have taken a driver’s safety course (usually for senior drivers). Some companies, such as State Farm, have a program for new drivers and good students to help lower the cost of insurance for teen drivers.
Rhode Island has a minimum insurance requirement. This legal minimum means that every driver must maintain a certain amount of coverage. More coverage is recommended but not required.
The minimum liability requirement in Rhode Island is:
Like many other states, Rhode Island is considered an at-fault state. This means that the person responsible for an accident is liable for the injuries and damages incurred by the harmed party. Without insurance, this could result in many thousands of dollars in damages owed by the at-fault driver in a car accident.
An SR-22 or FR-44 is a financial responsibility filing with the state for those who have lost their driver’s license or had a major infraction, such as a DUI.
In the past, Rhode Island used SR-22s for drivers with these infractions to prove that they had the required vehicle insurance. However, since July 2018, the state no longer requires an SR-22 to prove financial responsibility.
Car insurance in Rhode Island is not cheap, though you can get a better deal if you have a good driving record and good credit. Make sure to get quotes from various carriers to get the best rate for you. Your demographic will change your rate, and you shouldn’t rely on just one company’s quote.
AutoInsurance.com uses its extensive experience to connect consumers with the best auto insurance carriers on the market to help them get the best possible rates for their policies. We examine the required coverages, price differences, and how a person can qualify for discounts. We look at state-specific data to ensure that you get details pertinent to your region and help you find the best policy for your needs.
Rhode Island requires minimum liability coverage plus minimum uninsured motorist coverage. The requirements are:
Full coverage in Rhode Island means meeting the state minimum liability requirements, plus optional coverages like uninsured motorist, medical payments, collision, and comprehensive.
Rhode Island and Massachusetts are both above the national average for car insurance rates. Massachusetts’ average is less than Rhode Island’s.
A monthly premium of $200 may be a lot for car insurance, especially since it’s higher than the Rhode Island average. However, how much you pay depends on your age, driving record, and credit score. Get a few quotes from companies to see how much you can expect to pay for auto insurance.
Automobile Insurance Rating. Rhode Island Department of State. (2024).
https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/230-20-05-3