Rhode IslandCar Insurance

Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes and Options in Rhode Island

The average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $1,656 per year. That makes car insurance costs in Rhode Island much higher than the national average of $1,311 annually. Everyone’s car insurance rates will be different based on where they live and their personal characteristics. 

No matter where you live, it’s usually important to purchase more than the minimum coverage required by law, so if you have to file a claim, your policy will cover it. While this can cost more, it can make a huge difference when you need it most. 

An independent insurance agent can help you find the right car insurance for your needs and budget. Here, we’ll explain some important facts about car insurance in Rhode Island. 

Best Car Insurance Companies in Rhode Island

You can purchase car insurance from many insurance companies in Rhode Island. Which is the best for you? We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island to help you get started. Perhaps one of these top carriers will be the best for your needs. 

• Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA 
• Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: USAA
• Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: Amica 
• Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: USAA
• Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Accident History: USAA

An independent insurance agent in Rhode Island can help you determine if any of these companies have the right car insurance policy for your needs and budget.

Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA

Our pick for the best car insurance company in Rhode Island overall is USAA. The carrier ranks high for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, trust, and other important factors. 

USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who decided to insure each other's vehicles. Over time, the organization grew to serve millions in the military community, offering a variety of personal insurance products as well as other financial products and services. 

USAA’s net worth has surpassed $40 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members and 37,000 employees. USAA consistently receives high marks for financial stability, including an "A++" rating from AM Best, the highest available.

Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage. 

Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: USAA

If you’re looking for minimum liability coverage, USAA is again a top choice for Rhode Island residents. The carrier allows customers to get bare minimum auto insurance at around $565 per year. 

Highly affordable coverage and high customer satisfaction ratings make USAA an easy choice for eligible members.  

Best Rhode Island Car insurance Company for Full Coverage: Amica

The best car insurance company in Rhode Island for full coverage is Amica. The insurance company offers full coverage policies with monthly premiums averaging around $142.

Drivers looking to max out their coverage can choose from a wide range of options. They can even buy up to Amica’s Platinum Choice package, which offers glass repair without a deductible, credit monitoring services, new car replacement coverage, and rental car coverage with no daily limit. These options, paired with excellent customer service and satisfaction ratings, make Amica a top choice for Rhode Island drivers looking for full coverage auto insurance. 

Amica was founded in 1907 and is the oldest mutual insurer of automobiles in the United States. In addition to offering car insurance in every state except Hawaii, Amica also offers home, marine, personal umbrella, and life insurance.   

Amica is owned by its policyholders and provides dividends to them based on the company’s financial success. These dividend policies can return up to 20% of premiums to policyholders. 

As of 2021, Amica had $5.8 billion in assets and over 1.4 million policies in force. It is currently rated "A+" (Superior) for financial stability by AM Best. 

Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: USAA

Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 typically pay very high car insurance rates because of the extra risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel. While insuring a teen driver is never cheap, USAA is one of the best insurance companies for teen drivers in Rhode Island.

Car insurance for young drivers in Rhode Island can cost around $333 per month with USAA. The company also offers a good student discount so students with good grades can save on their car insurance. 

Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage. 

Best Rhode Island Car Insurance Company for Accident History: USAA

Your driving record is one of the most important factors in what you pay for car insurance in Rhode Island. All insurance companies want to know if you’ve been at fault for an accident in the past to determine how risky you might be to cover.

USAA again earns a spot on our list of top picks in these cases. USAA is one of the best Rhode Island car insurance companies for drivers with an accident history. The company is highly rated for its claims response and for offering affordable policies for drivers with bad records. If you’ve had an at-fault accident, you can get a car insurance policy in Rhode Island for about $100 per month. 

Rhode Island Car Insurance Requirements

Vehicles registered in Rhode Island must be covered by a car insurance policy that meets the state's minimum coverage requirements. In Rhode Island, you must have the following coverage, at a minimum, to comply with state law and avoid penalties:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: Protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. It covers an injured party's claims for damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you. In Rhode Island, you must have this coverage in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, at a minimum.
• Property damage liability coverage: Pays for any damage that you cause to the property of others (e.g., another driver’s car) and for your legal defense if you are sued. In Rhode Island, you must have this coverage in the amount of at least $25,000 per accident.

Optional car insurance coverages in Rhode Island include:

• Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not. 
• Underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if another motorist is at fault for a collision but does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.
• Medical payments coverage: Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
• Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Roadside assistance coverage: Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed, and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to specific limits.
• Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
• Loan/lease or gap coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.

An independent insurance agent in Rhode Island will help you find a car insurance policy that includes the coverage you need.

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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island

The average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $1,656 per year, which is more than the national average of $1,311 per year. Everyone’s car insurance costs differ slightly depending on their personal risk factors (e.g., age, gender, accident history, etc.) and the types and amounts of coverage they select. You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in Rhode Island by taking advantage of car insurance discounts that you may be eligible for.

Average Rhode Island Car Insurance Costs by City

The city where you live is one of the most important factors in what you’ll pay for car insurance in Rhode Island. This is because the city’s crime rate, severe weather frequency, traffic density, and more can all impact how at-risk you and your car are for being in an accident, stolen, or subject to some other kind of damage (e.g., hail damage). 

Woonsocket has the costliest car insurance in Rhode Island at an average of $1,977 per year, or $165 per month. Conversely, Newport residents typically pay much less for car insurance, with an average annual car insurance rate of $1,578.

Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Rhode Island

One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Rhode Island is to make sure that you take advantage of any car insurance discounts for which you may be eligible. One of the most common discounts is the multi-policy discount, which rewards you with savings if you have more than one policy with the same carrier (e.g., home and auto). The other common auto insurance discounts offered in Rhode Island include the following: 

• Student driver discounts: If you have a student driver in your household, you may be able to take advantage of a good student discount if your child gets a B average or better. Many insurance companies also offer away-at-school discounts for students who won’t be using their parents’ cars while they are away at school.  Your young driver may also be able to receive a discount by participating in an insurance-company-approved or sponsored safe driving course. 
• Safe driver discount: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record over some time may be able to receive an ongoing discount from their insurance company. 
• Anti-theft device discount: Some insurance companies offer discounts when your car has certain anti-theft devices installed. 
• Military discount: Active or retired members of the military can often qualify for auto insurance discounts. 
• Paperless billing discount: Many insurance companies offer a discount for policyholders who agree to receive paperless billing statements. 
• Other car insurance discounts: Being a member of a particular group, such as an employment union, may make you eligible for a car insurance discount specifically for members. 

Your independent insurance agent in Rhode Island can help you find all the car insurance discounts you qualify for. 

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Rhode Island

Finding the best car insurance quote in Rhode Island requires comparing several insurance companies and making an informed choice, but you don’t have to go it alone. An independent insurance agent in Rhode Island can help you obtain and review quotes from multiple insurance companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage for your needs and budget. An independent agent works for you, free of charge, to help you through the process. 

How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Rhode Island

Filing a car insurance claim in Rhode Island will always be stressful. However, if you know what to do in advance, it can help the process to go more smoothly. If you’re in a car accident, here are some tips for filing your insurance claim: 

• Check for and tend to injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who is injured. 
• Call the police: Filing a police report ensures that your accident is on the record and that all the appropriate information has been collected. That way, your insurance company will have a reliable source of information about the details of your accident. 
• Contact your independent insurance agent: Your Rhode Island independent insurance agent can get the process started by connecting you with your insurance company, or even by filing the claim for you. Your agent can guide you throughout the claims process. 
• Schedule an appointment with an adjuster: Your insurance company will likely want to evaluate the damage before you seek repairs for your car. That means you’ll likely need to schedule an appointment with an adjuster who works for your carrier.
• Get repairs: If necessary, get your vehicle repaired by a reputable auto body shop or a shop recommended by your insurance company. 
• Get a rental vehicle: If you’re without your car for a while as it's being repaired, consider getting a rental vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll have some help paying for the cost of your rental car. 

An independent insurance agent in Rhode Island can help you through the claims process and answer your questions about how best to file your claim. 

How does your city measure up to the national average?

National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min

National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year

National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year

City	Commute time (min)	Auto thefts / 1,000	Annual insurance cost
Coventry	28.8	0.553	$1,903
Cranston	23.2	1.04	$1,844
Cumberland	26.4	0.54	$1,856
East Providence	24.2	1.47	$1,823
Johnston	22.1	1.32	$1,763
Newport	18.3	0.85	$1,578
Providence	23.2	2.64	$1,928
Warwick	25	0.72	$1,834
West Warwick	24	0.66	$1,710
Westerly	25.3	0.62	$1,717
Woonsocket	25.6	2.11	$1,977

Rhode Island Car Insurance FAQs