The Cheapest Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2022

Several factors influence insurance costs, including coverage level, driver history, age and credit score. On average, State Farm offers the most affordable policies in Rhode Island across the categories we analyzed.

USAA, which offers insurance exclusively to current and former military personnel and their families, is one of the most affordable companies in Rhode Island for liability-only and full-coverage plans.

For those looking for an even more local solution, we also broke down the cheapest companies by city, as well as the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island for those looking to balance quality service and cost.

To find out how MoneyGeek calculated the cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island, read our methodology.

cheapestauto insuranceRhode Island2022

The Cheapest Car Insurance in Rhode Island

Cheapest for minimum liability - State Farm

Cheapest for full coverage - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with a DUI - State Farm

Cheapest after an accident - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with a ticket - State Farm

Cheapest for drivers with bad credit - State Farm

Cheapest for senior drivers - State Farm

Cheapest for student drivers - State Farm

Generally, a minimum coverage policy is the cheapest option for Rhode Island drivers looking for car insurance. It is liability-only insurance that just meets the state car insurance requirements.

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

• State Farm: $430 per year
• Amica Mutual: $697 per year

If you have a military affiliation, USAA's average annual rate of $439 is another competitively priced option. MetLife has the most expensive car insurance for minimum coverage with an average annual rate of $1,739.

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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

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Full coverage policies with higher liability limits and comprehensive and collision insurance provide protection against most road and off-road incidents in Rhode Island. Rates will be higher than a minimum coverage but will protect your car if it gets damaged in an accident. To find the best car insurance policy, compare rates from different auto insurers.

Based on average rates, the cheapest full coverage car insurance companies in Rhode Island for drivers are:

• State Farm: $790 per year
• Amica Mutual: $1,429 per year

If you or a family member are in the military, you qualify for USAA coverage, which is competitively priced at $899 annually on average. The most expensive car insurance for full coverage in Rhode Island is MetLife, which has an average rate of $2,751 per year.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Rhode Island

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.

Auto Insurance Calculator

State

Rhode Island

Age

30-65

Driving Record

Clean

Credit Score

Excellent

Vehicle Type

Compact

Vehicle Year

2020

Liability Coverage

State Min

Comprehensive and Collision Insurance

None

Gender

Female

Add Student Driver

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates

Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.

low end

on average

high end

Click your preferred price range to see company options.

Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.

Company

Average Annual Rates

1.

State Farm

$437

2.

USAA

$466

3.

Amica Mutual

$709

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A serious violation like a DUI will increase your car insurance rate in Rhode Island, as auto insurance for high-risk drivers does not come expensive. The average auto insurance price for Rhode Island drivers with a DUI is $3,369 per year. Drivers with a clean record pay an average of $1,822 per year.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island drivers with a DUI and full coverage are:

• State Farm: $790 per year
• Travelers: $2,289 per year

If you or a family member is in the military, you also qualify for coverage from USAA, which is competitively priced at an average of $1,972 per year.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

In a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.9% of Rhode Island adults reported driving after drinking too much in the prior 30 days. Additionally, 247 people in Rhode Island were killed in alcohol-related car accidents from 2009-2018.

Rhode Island law makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over .08% or any amount of a controlled substance. The consequence is a conviction for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and up to a year in jail, $100 to $400 fines and your license suspended. The punishes increase with a higher BAC or with a second or third offense.

A DWI can impact your life and finances for years. If you get a DWI, you can expect your car insurance premiums to double overnight. You can work to clear your driving record in order to lower your car insurance premiums, but you’ll have to wait five years before starting the expunging process. It’s still possible to find affordable auto insurance after a DWI. Get quotes from multiple providers and ask if taking an alcohol treatment or driver’s education course can lower your rate.

A driver who becomes involved in an at-fault accident in Rhode Island will likely see an increase in their insurance premiums. In Rhode Island, a driver with an at-fault accident pays an average annual insurance premium of $2,919 per year.

The following two companies offer the lowest premiums, on average, for drivers with an accident on their record:

• State Farm: $1,076 per year
• Travelers: $1,508 per year

USAA offers the second cheapest quote for drivers with an at-fault accident. However, their policies are only available to active and retired military members and families.

Cheapest Car Insurance With an At-Fault Accident

Getting a minor driving violation, such as a ticket, will result in higher auto insurance rates in Rhode Island. On average, Rhode Island drivers with a speeding ticket pay $2,227 per year. The average annual rate for those with a clean record is $1,822.

Based on average rates, the most affordable auto insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket and full coverage are from:

• State Farm: $790 per year
• Travelers: $1,765 per year

For military personnel and their families, USAA also offers an affordable option, averaging $1,038 annually for drivers with tickets in Rhode Island.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

Distracted driving and speeding are considered risky driving behaviors and will increase your auto insurance rates. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving accounted for 56 vehicle crashes in Rhode Island in 2018. Rhode Island passed a new law in 2018 making it illegal to hold a cell phone or wireless device while driving. The law also prohibits using headphones or accessories that cover both ears. If you are caught, it’s a $100 fine.

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.

Drivers with poorer credit scores pay more on auto insurance than those with healthy scores. The average cost of car insurance for a Rhode Island driver with bad credit is $3,059 per year. A similar policy will only cost an average of $1,822 for drivers with good credit scores.

The cheapest car insurance companies in Rhode Island for drivers with poor credit and full coverage are:

• State Farm: $1,534 per year
• Travelers: $2,167 per year

If you qualify for USAA coverage due to a military affiliation, this company is likely your most affordable option. USAA's annual average rate for a Rhode Island driver with bad credit is $1,502.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

According to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, statistics show a correlation between credit history and claim frequency. The state allows insurance companies to use a driver’s credit history when setting rates. Insurers believe the better the credit the score, the better the driver. A lower credit score can increase your costs. According to Experian, Rhode Island has one of the highest credit score ratings in the country at 713.

The above table showcases what drivers with bad credit can expect to pay for auto insurance in Rhode Island.

There are still ways to get cheap auto insurance with bad credit in Rhode Island. The first step is to review your credit report and learn why your credit is low. In many cases, there is a mistake that can easily be fixed. There are also ways to improve your credit score. When your score improves, reach out to your auto insurance company about getting an updated and improved rate.

Senior drivers tend to pay slightly more than young adults and middle-aged drivers in Rhode Island. The average cost of auto insurance with full coverage for senior drivers in the state is $1,944 per year. The average adult driver only pays an average of $1,822 per year.

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

• State Farm: $803 per year
• Travelers: $1,798 per year

For military members and their families, USAA's average annual rate of $973 for Rhode Island seniors is also quite competitive.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

With age comes wisdom and experience. But when it comes to driving, age can also begin to affect vision, cognition and motor function. According to 2017 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 13.6% of fatal traffic accidents in Rhode Island involved a driver over the age of 65. While licenses are normally renewed every five years, drivers over 75 will have to go to the DMV every two years.

When looking for cheap car insurance for seniors in Rhode Island, your driving record will play a significant role. Those with a good driving history may be rewarded for their experience with senior discounts. However, violations may show the impact of age and increase your rates. If you are a senior shopping for car insurance, meet with your doctor to discuss your medical capabilities behind the wheel. Then ask insurance companies about discounts. Rhode Island offers a Defensive Driving course that many insurers consider beneficial and could get you a lower car insurance rate.

Insurance companies consider young drivers riskier to insure due to their lack of driving experience and charge them higher premiums as a result. Luckily, premiums tend to decrease with experience and age. A 16-year-old driver purchasing their own auto insurance in Rhode Island pays an average of $4,879 annually. A 25-year-old motorist pays $2,918 less, at an average of $1,961 yearly.

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

Annual Car Insurance In Rhode Island for Young Drivers

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• Age
  Average Cost
  Cheapest Company
  Company Cost
• 16
  $4,879
  State Farm
  $2,320
• 17
  $4,739
  State Farm
  $2,108
• 18
  $4,375
  State Farm
  $1,928
• 19
  $4,383
  State Farm
  $1,776
• 20
  $3,736
  State Farm
  $1,555
• 21
  $3,014
  State Farm
  $1,410
• 22
  $2,797
  State Farm
  $1,266
• 23
  $2,418
  State Farm
  $1,142
• 24
  $2,239
  State Farm
  $1,063
• 25
  $1,961
  State Farm
  $892

Show more

Insurance rates for teen drivers are never cheap, but Rhode Island teens may be eligible for auto insurance discounts based on good grades and a clean driving record.

Because teen drivers are inexperienced, they are more likely to get into an accident, which explains why rates are so high. There are ways to find cheap car insurance for teen drivers, and cheap car insurance for college students. The best way is to shop around and get multiple quotes.

Rhode Island has about 3,400 active-duty military personnel living in the state and more than 63,000 veterans.

Military families and veterans living in Rhode Island will need car insurance. Some automatic car insurance discounts are available to veterans and active-duty military members. Whether you're looking at a specialty carrier that sells insurance only to military members, or a larger company that offers a military discount, it pays to compare car insurance quotes by shopping around. If you expect to be deployed and won't be using your car for some time, ask potential insurance companies if you can suspend coverage and pause premiums while you're gone.

Average Rates for Rhode Island service members

25 years$1,663
50 years$1,467

25 years$1,609
50 years$1,437

If you're living in Rhode Island and plan to drive your car, you'll need at least the minimum levels of liability insurance. You cannot register a car in this state if you don’t have insurance.

Proof of Insurance in Rhode Island

Rhode Island drivers must show proof of insurance when getting a driver's license or registering a vehicle at the DMV. You also have to carry your insurance card or a digital version in your car at all times so that you can show it after an accident or if a police officer asks for it.

Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements in Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires mandatory liability insurance in these amounts:

• $25,000 for injuries per person
• $50,000 for injuries per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance is highly recommended. However, state law allows you to waive this insurance if you buy only the minimum amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is important if the at-fault driver has no insurance or the crash is a hit-and-run. Rhode Island does have a high rate of uninsured motorists, so this coverage may be worth considering.

Alternatives to Insurance in Rhode Island

Rhode Island drivers with extra money lying around can skip insurance. Still, they’ll have to get a surety bond or deposit $60,000 per vehicle with the DMV to cover any future accidents.

High-Risk Auto Insurance Program in Rhode Island

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.

How Much Coverage Do You Need in Rhode Island?

Choosing the right coverage depends on your vehicle’s value, your driving record and your assets. Because Rhode Island has a high rate of uninsured drivers, you may want to consider buying uninsured motorist coverage, for example.

Consumer and insurance experts recommend getting $100,000 of liability coverage for each injured person and $300,000 for each accident. The state's Department of Insurance Regulation also recommends shopping around to compare rates.

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.

Compare Auto Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your auto insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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About the Author

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Danielle is a professional journalist with fifteen years of experience covering current events from the 2008 financial crisis to the COVID-19 global economic recession. As a former TV news producer, she focuses on sharing relevant and factual stories that stimulate personal growth and knowledge.

Danielle graduated from the acclaimed University of Missouri School of Journalism with a focus in Broadcast Journalism.

With six out-of-state moves and three home purchases under her belt, she has first-hand experience navigating state regulations, insurance and real estate. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband and a greyhound named Oreo.

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