BestAuto InsuranceRhode IslandThe Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2023
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BestAuto InsuranceRhode IslandThe Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island
Best Overall - Allstate
Best for Customer Service - Allstate
Best for Minimum Coverage - Allstate
Best for Young Drivers - Allstate
Best for Seniors - State Farm
Best for Bad Driving Record - Travelers
Best for Military - USAA
Best for New Cars - Allstate
Best for Low-Mileage Drivers - Nationwide
To start, we listed the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island, ignoring customer service reputations.
Best Full Coverage Car Insurance Companies in Rhode Island: Overall
Overall, Allstate provides the best car insurance in Rhode Island.
MoneyGeek ranked insurers across factors like average rates, claims ratings and user satisfaction. From the scores, the top two car insurance companies with the cheapest rates and satisfactory customer service are:
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 (approximately $1,895 per year)
- Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 75 out of 100 (approximately $1,443 per year)
USAA is the best option, earning a perfect score, but it is only available for military families in the state.
MoneyGeek also compared the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island for drivers looking for the most affordable premiums.
THE TOP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN RHODE ISLAND
1
AllstateBest Overall
Score:76
Allstate costs roughly $1,895 per year, the cheapest in the state, and tied first for satisfaction and claims. Add-ons include custom parts coverage and portable electronics and media coverage.
Average Annual Cost: $1,895
More About Allstate
Custom parts coverage from Allstate provides coverage for loss of custom equipment that is caused by a comprehensive type loss. On the other hand, portable electronics and media coverage protects all sound-related equipment. In addition, if you insure your car with Allstate and choose the optional Accident Forgiveness coverage, your premiums will not increase in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
If you decide to sign up for Allstate Deductible Rewards, you get a discount from your deductible up to $100. Plus, up to $500 might be saved for every accident-free year of driving. However, this is only available in the premium gold and platinum plans. In addition, in the event of a covered loss, Allstate GAP will cover any differences between your primary car insurance payout and the loan amount as of the date of loss.
2
Travelers
Score:75
At around $1,443 per year, Travelers comes second cheapest in the state. It tied in first in stability and tied for second in claims. Buyers can include gap Insurance in their policies.
Average Annual Cost: $1,443
More About Travelers
As a policyholder with gap insurance, you no longer need to pay the difference between the actual cash value of your vehicle and the unpaid balance of an auto loan when your car is deemed a total loss. Additionally, accident forgiveness is included in Travelers’ Responsible Driver Plan.
You can also get the additional coverage you need with Traveler’s Premier New Car Replacement. This coverage will pay for you to have a brand new vehicle of the same make and model sent to you in the event that you total your new automobile during the first five years of ownership. You can even add roadside assistance to your car insurance policy to help you if your car breaks down or malfunctions while you’re out and about.
3
GEICO
Score:71
GEICO car insurance can be purchased for around $1,205 per year. It tied for first in stability and satisfaction and tied for second in claims. It includes mechanical breakdown insurance in its coverage.
More About GEICO
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) extends coverage on all parts and systems as long as your car is less than 15 months old and has been driven for less than 15,000 miles. Additionally, GEICO’s roadside assistance coverage pays for the cost of flat tires, towing, jumpstarts and more.
4
Nationwide
Score:70
Tied in second for satisfaction and tied first in claims, customers can get a policy from Nationwide that costs an average of $2,121. This includes identity theft coverage.
More About Nationwide
Having identity theft coverage on your policy protects you and your family in case of any identity theft and fraud. This is a rare coverage you can only purchase from a few car insurance providers and one that you should take advantage of. Furthermore, rental car reimbursement saves you time by providing access to a rental car while your car is in the repair shop after a covered accident.
5
Progressive
Score:69
Getting the second-highest score on affordability and tying for second on satisfaction, policies from Progressive cost around $1,742 per month. This insurer offers custom parts coverage.
More About Progressive
If you are likely to customize your car, find policies that cover any damages, including after-market accessories. Rather than replacing it with a new one, using coverage from a policy that you’ll need to get anyway would be worth your money. Additionally, not only does Progressive provide accident forgiveness, but it is also automatically included in its policies for certain accidents in most states.
HOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN RHODE ISLAND
Finding the best full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island starts with collecting information from companies for one sample driver. But just looking at the average cost is not enough to identify the best car insurance in the state. We also looked at customer ratings and user satisfaction from J.D. Power and NAIC to complete our analysis. For more details, you can read our methodology.
MoneyGeek's Rhode Island Car Insurance Resources:
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Customer Service
Allstate is the best auto insurance provider for customer service in Rhode Island. Most policyholders understand that great customer service makes or breaks the quality of service.
Drivers who are willing to pay a few more bucks can get good customer service. MoneyGeek ranked the top two companies offering the best service independently of price as follows:
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 87 out of 100
When ranking auto insurance companies in Rhode Island in terms of customer service, affordability was not taken into consideration.
THE TOP TWO CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN RHODE ISLAND FOR SERVICE QUALITY
1
AllstateBest for Customer Service
Score:90
Allstate has a 4.5 out of 5 score both on claims rating and user satisfaction. In general, it receives very low customer complaints, which can be beneficial if a car accident occurs.
More About Allstate
Allstate has deductible modification coverage where policyholders can get a $100 discount when they sign up for the Deductible Rewards program. They can also get up to a $500 discount each year when they drive safely. In addition, Transportation Expense coverage usually pays up to a certain amount per day for the cost of renting a car from a rental agency or garage if an insured has a covered collision or comprehensive loss.
If you’re a rideshare driver, Allstate’s Ride for Hire can help keep you safe by giving you insurance when your app is on and you're waiting for a job. Another useful benefit is the Allstate GAP, which pays the difference between what your primary auto insurance pays out and what you still owe on your car on the day it was stolen. You might have to buy Allstate GAP through your lender.
2
GEICO
Score:87
GEICO has 4.5 out of 5 user satisfaction and 4.0 claims rating score.
More About GEICO
For a small cost, you can add rental car reimbursement to the list of coverages you get with GEICO. Rental car reimbursements pay for the rental you use while you wait for your car to be repaired. You can also get accident forgiveness. In addition, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) is offered by GEICO, providing superior coverage at a lower cost compared to most dealer extended warranties.
If you have Accident Forgiveness on your GEICO car insurance policy, your rate won't go up if you cause a car accident for the first time. You can buy accident forgiveness if you are over 21 and haven't had an accident in at least five years. GEICO can even cover the cost of services such as towing, jump-starting, flat tire repair and lockouts.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Minimum Coverage
Allstate is MoneyGeek’s top pick for the cheapest provider that meets Rhode Island's minimum car insurance requirements.
The top two companies in Rhode Island that offer this coverage include:
- Allstate: 80 out of 100 (approximately $1,015 per year)
- GEICO: 76 out of 100 (approximately $1,099 per year)
Minimum coverage policies have cheaper rates than full coverage plans but offer fewer protections. These companies have the cheapest rates and good customer service.
MoneyGeek also researched the cheapest auto insurance in Rhode Island with the minimum required coverage for drivers who are looking to save money.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable minimum coverage policy at around $1,015 per year
Discounts on safe driving and anti-theft systems
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5
cons
Does not offer discounts on multiple cars and defensive driving
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Allstate offers discounts on safe driving. These let you save just by meeting the safe driving requirements. You can even save on bundling when you also get life insurance or insurance for your home and other properties from the same company.
Other discounts can be provided for drivers who have airbags in their cars, have a car with anti-lock brakes or those who pay your policy in full before it starts.
Uncommon discounts that you can get from Allstate include an early signing bonus and automatic payments. These allow you to save just by signing up seven days before the policy takes effect or when you set up an automated EZ pay plan for automatic withdrawals. Another rare discount might be provided if your vehicle is a current model year or one old and you're the first owner.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Young Drivers and Students
The highest-rated company in Rhode Island for student drivers and young drivers is Allstate. MoneyGeek analyzed rates for teenagers and young adults in high school and college.
The top companies for young drivers and student drivers that balances affordability and good customer service had the following scores:
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100
- Nationwide: MoneyGeek score of 65 out of 100
Car insurance companies look at a driver’s risk when pricing their policies, and young drivers tend to have higher rates due to their risk profiles.
MoneyGeek also listed the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island for young drivers for those looking for greater savings.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable policy for adding a young driver at around $3,759 per year
Claims rating of 4.5 out of 5
User satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5
Good student, distant student and driver’s education discounts
cons
Custom parts coverage has an additional cost
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Car insurance companies often charge high premiums for student drivers. Allstate, however, is able to offer affordable policies and even discounts to help student drivers save on their premiums. They do this while offering a high quality of customer service. Since students tend to file more claims than older drivers, this can be very useful.
If you are a student driver, know that there are discounts that you can take advantage of just by getting good academic grades or after you are able to complete an accredited driving course like the teenSMART driver education program. Additionally, you can get discounts if you go to a school that is 100 miles away from your house. This makes Allstate policies a suitable option for families looking to save money on their children’s insurance costs.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Seniors
MoneyGeek scored the best providers in Rhode Island based on the cost of car insurance for seniors and customer service records. The top-rated companies, according to MoneyGeek’s ratings, include a balance of value for money.
They include:
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100 ($803 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 72 out of 100 ($2,094 per year)
MoneyGeek also compiled a list of the most affordable senior auto insurance policies in Rhode Island for those solely focused on cost.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
One of the cheapest auto insurance companies for seniors at $803 per year
Provides roadside assistance and rideshare insurance
Offers a discount if you take a Defensive Driving course
cons
Lacks discounts specifically geared towards seniors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Seniors typically have to pay higher insurance rates due to the greater amount of risk involved with them being behind the wheel. However, State Farm is the most affordable option in Rhode Island, with good customer service for seniors. It's possible that some seniors may get discounts by enrolling in a defensive driving course that can improve their skills on the road. This has the benefit of improving their safety while increasing their cost savings.
In addition, seniors may benefit from choosing a car with active safety features like a frontal collision warning system and electronic stability control. They may be eligible for a discount if you install anti-theft equipment in your car since they reduce the likelihood of theft. In addition, when you combine several lines of insurance coverage with Allstate, such as home insurance, you may save money.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Bad Driving Records
The best insurer in Rhode Island if you have a poor driving record is Travelers. Not all insurance companies are able to offer affordable rates for drivers with bad driving records.
If you have an at-fault accident on your record, you need to find the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island that are able to offer you cheaper rates. The top insurers in the state are:
- Travelers: MoneyGeek score of 80 out of 100 (approximately $1,508 per year)
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 76 out of 100 (approximately $2,331 per year)
These companies offer affordable rates and good service for drivers with bad driving records.
MoneyGeek also found the most affordable Rhode Island coverage for those with DUIs.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Travelers
pros
Affordable full coverage policy at roughly $1,508 per year
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
Offer roadside assistance, rental car and/or travel reimbursement, accident forgiveness and new car replacement
cons
MoneyGeek user satisfaction score of 3.5 out of 5
No better car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
You can save on premiums even after an accident record when you buy a policy from Travelers. For $1,508 per year, you can get excellent coverage from a company with a claims rating score of 4 out of 5.
Travelers offers the following:
- Roadside Assistance: Get assistance when you encounter problems such as flat tires, jumpstarts and lockouts.
- Rental Car Reimbursement: When you need a rental car while your car is being repaired, expenses will be reimbursed.
- Accident Forgiveness: You won’t see your premiums go up when you’ve been in an accident for the first time if you have this particular coverage.
- New Car Replacement: This coverage replaces your car with the same make and model if you total it within the first five years.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for a Military Background
The best car insurance in Rhode Island for families with military backgrounds is offered by USAA. With a total score from MoneyGeek of 100 out of 100, USAA ranks as the best option not only on affordability but also on claims ratings and user satisfaction.
A state minimum car insurance from USAA costs an average of $439 per year, while military members who want a full coverage policy will pay roughly $899 annually.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
An affordable full coverage policy for drivers with an at-fault accident costs around $1,294 per year
Claims rating score of 5 out of 5
User satisfaction of 5 out of 5
Rental car travel reimbursement coverage
Vehicle storage discount
cons
Only military families are eligible
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA has some of the cheapest policies available in the state, in addition to one of the best reputations in the country. The company is also known for its very high quality of customer service.
Some of their features include:
- Accident Forgiveness: If you remain accident-free for five years, USAA can waive any additional cost on your premiums if you do get in an accident.
- Rideshare Insurance: Some companies with rideshare insurance have gaps during a rideshare request where you are not covered. Getting a USAA policy offers you gap coverage.
- Loyalty: USAA provides you with a discount if you remain a loyal customer. The longer you are a member, the more you can potentially save on your premiums.
- Mileage: You can also get discounts based on how much you drive in a year.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Those With New Cars
The best choice of car insurance in Rhode Island, if you are looking for coverage for your new car, comes from Allstate (approximately $1,895 annually). While you may pay more in premiums to get this coverage, it can be worth the price.
When looking for car insurance for a brand new car, you should consider an option that has one or both of the coverages created specifically for new car owners.
The first is new car replacement coverage, which replaces your totaled car with a brand new one of the same car make and model. This coverage can be accessed when the car totaled is within three to five years of age. The other, which is usually rare in most policies, is a better car replacement feature, giving you a better car of a more recent model.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable policy with an average cost of $1,895 per year
Claims rating score of 4.5 out of 5
Satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5
New car replacement
cons
Does not offer better car replacement coverage to its customers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Allstate is one of the top car insurance companies in Rhode Island that offer great deals for drivers with a new car. Usually, car insurance companies only offer to pay the depreciated value if your car is totaled. With that in mind, you know that a small additional amount on your premiums can be a cheaper alternative than receiving a depreciated payout and having to pay the difference to get another new car.
New car replacement coverage from Allstate offers to replace your car with a new one with the same car make and model. Your vehicle can’t be more than two years old to be eligible for this coverage. This is an add-on that you can purchase on top of your existing policy, but it can give you added peace of mind in the event of an accident.
Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island for Low-Mileage Drivers
Nationwide SmartMiles is the best option available in Rhode Island for low-mileage drivers. Many car insurance companies offer pay-per-mile coverage where you pay for the number of miles that you drive.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
Nationwide SmartMiles Program offers affordable coverage
Rewards low mileage and safe drivers
cons
Not advisable to drivers who travel regularly or those who ride in congested traffic
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide has a MoneyGeek claims rating of 4.5 out of 5 and a user satisfaction score of 4 out of 5. Getting a pay-per-mile program from a company that has a good customer rating ensures that you’re not only getting the best rates, you’re also getting great value on customer service. Depending on how many miles you drive, this cost can vary every month.
The way SmartMiles car insurance rates work is that they calculate a base rate, which depends on the driver’s profile, then add a variable rate, which depends on the mileage. Know that the SmartMiles program also has a behavior element, giving drivers a 10% discount for safe driving. It uses a small device to track the number of miles given in addition to tracking any potentially unsafe driving behaviors.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island For You
For an insurance company to be considered good, it should be able to provide great customer service and sell policies at a decent cost while having the stability to fulfill its financial obligations. We analyzed these costs to stand as a helpful guide in your own search for the best car insurance that suits your profile and needs. However, you can complete this process on your own as well.
1
Research customer service reputations in Rhode Island
Satisfaction and claims ratings from J.D. and NAIC heavily informed our research and scoring system. You can also visit their websites to do further investigation on their reports. The Department of Business Regulation in Rhode Island also created a helpful guide for auto insurance worth checking.
2
Compare quotes for yourself
Our findings were based on one sample driver from most locations in Rhode Island, but not all cities. Compare quotes from at least three insurance companies to have an idea of the average rates available in your area.
3
Make sure the company has coverages you want in Rhode Island
Don’t purchase a policy on a whim, no matter how cheap or how impressive the coverages included in the policy are. Remember, the best policy is the one that has the coverage you need.
4
Double-check financial stability ratings
After covering all the bases of your policy, make sure to check the company’s ability to pay your claims. The company you choose should be able to protect your own financial stability by insuring their policyholder’s risk.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island
What is best for you depends on what you’re looking for in car insurance. Take a look at these common questions about the top car insurance in Rhode Island.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- The Department of Business Regulation. Dbr.ri.gov.. "Consumers Guide to Auto Insurance." Accessed September 27, 2021.