Rhode Island Auto Insurance

Last updated : July 2024

Published By : Direct Auto

Whether you’re driving to work in Providence or taking a scenic cruise along the coast in Newport, affordable auto insurance can help protect you, your loved ones, and your vehicle on every adventure around Rhode Island. So, take a few minutes to learn about cheap car insurance in Rhode Island. Find out which coverages are mandatory, which ones are optional, and how a Direct Auto Insurance policy could be your cheap Rhode Island car insurance solution. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save.

Rhode Island Car Insurance Laws

Do you have to have car insurance in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island law requires all vehicle owners to carry proof of financial responsibility, which is satisfied with a car insurance policy. Rhode Island auto insurance policies must at least meet the state’s minimum liability coverage limits, typically expressed as three numbers representing thousands of dollars. For example, the liability limits in Rhode Island are 25/50/25, as shown below under Rhode Island Minimum Car Insurance Requirements.

Rhode Island Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Wondering what your insurance policy needs to fulfill Rhode Island’s insurance requirements? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.

Coverages	Is It Required by Law?
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary).	Yes. $25,000 bodily injury per person/$50,000 bodily injury per accident.
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox, and more.	Yes. $25,000 property damage per accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM), or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage.	UM/UIM bodily injury must be offered up to the selected liability limits. Insured can select lower limits with a signature. Insured can reject the coverage in writing if bodily injury liability coverage is purchased at minimum limit of 25/50. UM/UIM property damage must be offered at a minimum of $25,000. Insured can reject the coverage in writing or without a signed form if they have purchased collision coverage.
Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault.	Must be offered at a minimum level of $2,500 per individual/$5,000 per accident, but it can be rejected in writing.
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail, or another object, regardless of fault.	Not required.¹
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism, or contact with an animal.	Not required.¹

IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing minimum liability coverage ensures you satisfy Rhode Island’s laws, it doesn’t protect you or your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage, like UM/UIM, comprehensive, and collision, to protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.

¹Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.

Are there additional coverage options?

For greater peace of mind, Rhode Island drivers may have access to add-on services and other coverages depending on the insurer:

Rhode Island Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties

What if I don't meet Rhode Island’s minimum car insurance requirements?

Rhode Island takes a strict stance on vehicle owners who don’t meet insurance requirements. The fines and other penalties for driving without insurance vary depending on the nature of the violation. However, you could be forced to pay up to $1,000 in fines and have your license suspended if you don’t meet minimum insurance requirements, according to ValuePenguin.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Rhode Island

Driving without a valid license can lead to harsh penalties in Rhode Island. If you’re caught operating a vehicle while suspended, revoked, or otherwise unlicensed, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports you could be facing a steep fine. For subsequent offenses, the fine can increase, and you could eventually be facing jail time.

SR-22 Insurance in Rhode Island

Some states require high-risk drivers to keep an SR22 (also known as a certificate of financial responsibility) on file with the state verifying they have purchased auto insurance coverage that satisfies the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Effective in 2018, Rhode Island no longer requires or accepts SR-22 filings.

However, if you moved from out of state recently or are planning to move out of state soon, you could be forced to fulfill SR-22 requirements there if:

You have committed serious driving violations.
You have failed to maintain proper liability coverage or have broken state insurance laws.
You were convicted of a DUI/DWI.

High-Risk Auto Insurance in Rhode Island

Many individuals do not have a perfect driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. Some insurance companies won’t insure high-risk drivers, but non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) is often available elsewhere to provide financial protection for these drivers.

Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Rhode Island?

Car insurance costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:

The amount & type of coverage you choose
The year, make, and model of the vehicle you drive
How much you drive, where you drive, and where you live
Your demographics
Your driving record
Your credit history

Other Rhode Island Auto Insurance Resources

Find Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island with Direct Auto!

Looking for affordable car insurance in Rhode Island? Get a free car insurance quote for a policy that meets your state’s requirements, fits your needs, and includes any discounts you’re entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible.

*Emergency Protection Plans (EPP) and Roadside Assistance are not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.

** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc.