The Cheapest Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2022

If you’re looking for an even more accurate estimate based on your specific location, MoneyGeek broke down the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island by city. We also looked into the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island if you want the best blend of quality service and cost.

A minimum coverage policy is the cheapest option for Rhode Island car insurance. It is liability-only insurance that meets the state car insurance requirements.

Based on MoneyGeek’s research, on average, the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island for minimum coverage are:

• State Farm: $435 per year
• Amica Mutual: $706 per year

If you have a military background, USAA's average annual rate of $445 is a competitively priced option. Nationwide offers the most expensive minimum coverage car insurance in Rhode Island, with an average annual rate of $1,422.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Rhode Island driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

Full coverage policies with comprehensive and collision insurance and higher liability limits provide protection against road and off-road incidents. Rates are higher than a minimum coverage policy, but you have protection for your vehicle if it gets damaged.

MoneyGeek found that, on average, the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island is with:

• State Farm: $800 per year
• Amica Mutual: $1,447 per year

If you are in the military, you may qualify for USAA full coverage auto insurance in Rhode Island, which is competitively priced at around $910 per year. The most expensive car insurance company for full coverage in Rhode Island is Nationwide, at roughly $2,148 per year.

Individual premiums are based on the circumstances and needs of a driver, so they will not be similar to any of the examples given. These rates are based on a comprehensive and collision insurance policy with $100,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

Most car insurance companies in Rhode Island let drivers get reasonably accurate quotes on their websites.

• Use the same requirements when getting car insurance quotes. For example, if one insurer's quote is based on a comprehensive and collision insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible, make sure you use the same coverage level with other insurers.
• Most Rhode Island insurance companies provide online quotes. Use MoneyGeek's auto insurance calculator to see how much you'll pay as an average driver. A personalized quote, on the other hand, requires information reflecting your individual characteristics. You can also consider MoneyGeek’s price data to determine which company’s website to visit.
• Based on average rates, the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island are State Farm, USAA and Amica Mutual. You can begin your search by getting personalized quotes from these companies.

Insurance companies consider young drivers riskier to insure due to their lack of experience and charge them a higher premium as a result. Luckily, the premium decreases with experience and age.

A 16-year-old driver pays an average of $4,940 annually for full coverage auto insurance in Rhode Island. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old pays around $2,954 less, at an average of $1,986 yearly.

According to MoneyGeek’s research, State Farm is the most affordable insurance company for young drivers aged 16–25.

Insurance rates for young drivers are never cheap because of their lack of experience on the road. But there are ways to find cheap car insurance for teen drivers and college students. In Rhode Island, State Farm offers the lowest rate for 16-year-olds and 25-year-olds, at an average annual cost of $2,350 and $903, respectively. The nine-year difference results in around a $1,447 difference in the annual rate.

Senior drivers tend to pay slightly more than middle-aged drivers for auto insurance. The average cost of a full coverage policy for senior drivers in Rhode Island is $1,969 per year. Meanwhile, the average 40-year-old adult only pays around $1,845 per year.

If you are a senior driver, the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island for a full coverage policy are:

• State Farm: $813 per year
• Travelers: $1,821 per year

For active or retired military members and their families, USAA's average annual rate of $985 for Rhode Island seniors is quite competitive.

With age comes wisdom and experience. But when it comes to driving, age can affect vision, cognition and motor function. That’s why insurance companies tend to view senior drivers as high-risk and charge a more expensive premium.

If you are a senior shopping for car insurance, it’s vital to compare quotes from multiple providers. You could save roughly $1,318 a year by switching from GEICO to State Farm. You can also ask insurance companies about discounts. Rhode Island has a mature driver improvement course that could get you a lower car insurance rate.

Getting a minor driving violation, such as a ticket, results in a higher auto insurance rate. On average, Rhode Island drivers with a speeding ticket pay $2,255 per year for full coverage. Meanwhile, those with a clean record pay approximately $1,845 per year.

The cheapest full coverage auto insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Rhode Island is with:

• State Farm: $800 per year
• Travelers: $1,788 per year

For military personnel and their families, USAA offers an affordable option, averaging $1,051 annually for drivers with a ticket in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island does not use a point system on your record but does track moving violations, including speeding and distracted driving citations. Your insurer can view these violations and can adjust your rates accordingly. To maintain cheap auto insurance rates with a ticket, work to remove any violations from your record. Rhode Island allows you to review your record and work to clear it.

A serious violation like a DUI increases your annual premium in Rhode Island, as auto insurance for high-risk drivers is expensive. The average full coverage auto insurance price for Rhode Island drivers with a DUI is $3,412 per year, while drivers with a clean record pay around $1,845 per year.

On average, the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy for Rhode Island drivers with a DUI is with:

• State Farm: $800 per year
• Travelers: $2,318 per year

If you are in the military, you may qualify for coverage from USAA, which is competitively priced at an average of $1,997 per year.

In Rhode Island, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over .08% or any amount of a controlled substance results in a conviction for driving while intoxicated (DWI) — commonly called a DUI — and up to a year in jail, $100 to $400 fines and license suspension.

With a DUI, expect your car insurance premium to increase. However, comparing quotes can help you get a lower rate. MoneyGeek found you can save around $5,507 annually.

A driver involved in an at-fault accident will likely see an increase in their auto insurance premium. In Rhode Island, a driver with an at-fault accident on their record pays an average annual full coverage insurance premium of $2,488 per year.

The following two companies offer the lowest-priced full coverage policy for drivers with an accident on their record in Rhode Island:

• State Farm: $1,090 per year
• Travelers: $1,527 per year

USAA provides the second cheapest quote for drivers with an at-fault accident, at an average cost of $1,310 per year. However, its policy is only available to military members and their families.

Drivers with poor credit scores pay more on auto insurance than those with good scores. The average cost of full coverage car insurance for a Rhode Island driver with bad credit is $3,285 per year. The same policy only costs an average of $1,845 annually for a driver with good credit.

On average, the cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island for drivers with poor credit and full coverage are:

• State Farm: $1,554 per year
• Travelers: $2,195 per year

If you qualify for USAA auto insurance due to a military affiliation, it has an affordable annual average rate for a Rhode Island driver with bad credit of $1,521.

Rhode Island allows insurance companies to use a driver’s credit history when setting their rate. Typically, a poor credit score can increase your insurance costs.

Aside from improving your credit score, another way to get cheap auto insurance in Rhode Island with bad credit is to shop around and compare quotes. For example, the annual difference between the most affordable (State Farm) and expensive (Allstate) company in Rhode Island for drivers with bad credit is around $1,996.

USAA provides the second-cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island after State Farm, except with bad credit and full coverage, where it has the lowest rate. While State Farm is often the cheapest, USAA is renowned for providing insurance products that are exclusively tailor-made for active military members, veterans and their families.

The cost of auto insurance in Rhode Island can vary significantly with location. For example, the average motorist in Providence — Rhode Island's capital and largest city by population — pays around $1,822 per year in car insurance. If you live in Warwick or Newport, your quote may be considerably different.

Click on your area for more information on average local insurance costs.

If you live in Rhode Island and plan to drive a car, you need at least minimum liability insurance.

In Rhode Island, a driver must carry proof of insurance (paper or digital) in their car at all times.

The state’s car insurance laws dictate drivers have a minimum of 25/50/25 in liability coverage, which covers $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident and $25,000 in property damage.

Usually, minimum coverage car insurance is the cheapest policy you can get in Rhode Island. However, it’s advisable to get more coverage to ensure you’re financially protected after an at-fault accident. Consumer and insurance experts recommend getting $100,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $300,000 per accident.

Since Rhode Island has a high rate of uninsured drivers, you may also want to consider purchasing uninsured motorist coverage.

High-risk drivers who can't get insurance through normal means can get alternative coverage through the Rhode Island Automobile Insurance Plan for high-risk drivers.

There’s also an alternative to auto insurance in Rhode Island. However, it’s mainly for drivers with extra money lying around as it requires getting a surety bond or depositing $60,000 per vehicle with the DMV to cover any future accidents.

There are many factors Rhode Island drivers should consider when looking for car insurance in the state. The most common questions about auto insurance are related to the price and which insurers are the best.