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Last updated: April 11, 2024

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island in 2024

How much does car insurance cost in the Ocean State?

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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.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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.

By City

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

By Age

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

By Gender

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

By Coverage Level

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

By Violation

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.

RELATED:

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

By Company

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

GOOD TO KNOW:

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.

By Credit

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

TIP:

Improve your credit score and ask your insurance company to reassess your premium based on better credit. Good credit can save you money.

Cheapest Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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

How to Save on Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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.

Minimum Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury per person
  • $50,000 in total bodily injury per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage1

Fault Law in Rhode Island

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.

SR-22s or FR-44s

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.

Recap

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.

Methodology

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of auto insurance is required in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island requires minimum liability coverage plus minimum uninsured motorist coverage. The requirements are:

  • $25,000 per person in bodily injury
  • $50,000 per accident in bodily injury
  • $25,000 per accident in property damage

What is full coverage in Rhode Island?

Full coverage in Rhode Island means meeting the state minimum liability requirements, plus optional coverages like uninsured motorist, medical payments, collision, and comprehensive.

Is car insurance cheaper in Rhode Island or Massachusetts?

Rhode Island and Massachusetts are both above the national average for car insurance rates. Massachusetts’ average is less than Rhode Island’s.

Is $200 per month a lot for car insurance?

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.

Kimberlee Leonard
Written by:Kimberlee Leonard
Staff Writer
Kimberlee Leonard is a writer at AutoInsurance.com as well as a former State Farm agent licensed in the state of California. For six years, she helped people and businesses protect themselves and their assets. Kimberlee has also written about insurance for Fit Small Business in more than 100 articles. Since then, she has edited for the finance website Investopedia and outlets like Business.com, Forbes, and Seeking Alpha. Kimberlee is also the founder of Centsible Money, a website that answers insurance and other finance-related questions.

Citations

  1. Automobile Insurance Rating. Rhode Island Department of State. (2024).
    https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/230-20-05-3