Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island for 2024

From sailing to hiking its state parks, Rhode Island has plenty to do. But owning a car in the state can be expensive; the average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $2,020 per year for full coverage policies, compared to the national average of $1,582.

How much you’ll pay for coverage in the Ocean State depends on your age, location, credit, and driving record, and several insurance companies in Rhode Island offer robust discount programs that could help you save money.

Key takeaways

• The average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $2,020 per year for full coverage.
• State-minimum liability insurance averages $1,047 per year.
• Teens pay the highest rates, with average yearly premiums of $5,920.

How much does car insurance cost in Rhode Island?

Car insurance is much more expensive in Rhode Island than in other parts of the country. The average cost of full coverage policies that include collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance is $2,020 per year, compared to the national average of $1,582. State-minimum policies average $1,047 per year.

Avg. cost for full coverage	Avg. cost for minimum coverage	Cheapest insurance provider
$2,020/year	$1,047/year	State Farm

Avg. for young drivers	Avg. cost for seniors	Avg. for high-risk drivers
$5,920/year	$2,310/year	$2,938/year

Average cost of car insurance in Rhode Island by provider

You can purchase full coverage or state-minimum liability policies from a variety of insurers that underwrite policies in the state. We found that State Farm has the lowest average rates for both full coverage and minimum liability policies in Rhode Island.

Provider	Full coverage	Minimum liability coverage
Amica	$2,328/year	$1,056/year
Allstate	$2,487/year	$1,191/year
GEICO	$2,129/year	$1,191/year
State Farm	$945/year	$430/year
Travelers	$1,612/year	$733/year
Nationwide	$2,188/year	$1,398/year
USAA	$984/year	$447/year

How does credit score affect car insurance rates in Rhode Island?

Insurance companies in Rhode Island can use drivers’ credit histories in the underwriting and rating process, so your credit score can affect how much you pay for coverage.

Drivers with excellent credit will pay lower-than-average rates, while those with fair or poor credit will pay much more for coverage. The average premium for those with poor credit is $3,910 per year, significantly more than the state average.

Credit health	Avg. annual premium
Poor (550-649)	$3,910/year
Average (650-699)	$2,971/year
Good (700-749)	$2,520/year
Excellent (750+)	$2,160/year

Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a high percentage of fatalities involving drunk drivers. The state has taken significant measures to reduce the number of drunk driving incidents, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions will cause your premiums to skyrocket. After a DUI conviction, the average premium is $4,587, more than double the state average.

Violation	Avg. annual premium before violation*	Avg. annual premium after violation	Avg. cost increase
At-fault accident	$2,020/year	$2,905/year	$885
DUI	$2,020/year	$4,587/year	$2,567
Speeding ticket	$2,020/year	$2,957/year	$937

*Assumes clean driving record with good credit

How does age affect car insurance rates in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has a lower percentage of teens in the state than the rest of the country, and it charges teens dramatically more for car insurance.

Drivers 18 years of age pay an average of $6,143, more than three times the state average. The median household income for Rhode Island is $74,489, so households would have to pay approximately 8% of their household income to insure a teen driver.

Age	Avg. annual premium
18	$6,143/year
25	$2,118/year
30	$2,596/year
40	$2,719/year
60	$2,358/year

Rhode Island car insurance rates by city

Rates vary by location, and in Rhode Island, drivers in Providence have the highest average rates. Premiums in Providence average $3,110 per year, 54% higher than the state average.

That higher cost is unsurprising since NeighborhoodScout gave the city an 11 on its crime rating index, indicating that 89% of cities in the U.S. are safer. Providence has a much higher incidence rate of property crime than the rest of the state, so you’re more likely to be the victim of auto theft or vandalism.

City	Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Providence	$3,110/year
Cranston	$2,822/year
Pawtucket	$2,821/year
Warwick	$2,385/year
Newport	$1,654/year

RI’s minimum car insurance requirements

Rhode Island requires drivers in the state to have auto coverage and have proof of insurance handy whenever they get behind the wheel. Policies must meet the following minimum requirements:

• $25,000 in bodily injury insurance for one person
• $50,000 in bodily injury insurance for two or more people
• $25,000 in property damage insurance

Drivers with state-minimum liability coverage aren’t required to have uninsured or underinsured motorist protection. However, the state does have a high percentage of uninsured drivers, so it may be a good idea to add that form of coverage to your policy.

How to save money on car insurance in Rhode Island

With the high car insurance rates in Rhode Island, finding ways to reduce your premiums is key. The following tips could help you qualify for cheaper rates:

• Complete a defensive driver course: Some companies, such as Amica, give drivers a discount for completing an approved defensive driver course.
• Ask about other discounts: Companies offer a variety of discounts you may not know about. You may qualify for a lower premium by taking advantage of paperless billing, autopay, loyalty, or good student discounts. Contact your agent to see if you are eligible for any discounts.
• Sign up for usage-based insurance (UBI): UBI, or pay-per-mile insurance, can be a good choice for Rhode Island drivers since they tend to drive fewer miles than residents of other states. These policies are available from several companies in Rhode Island, including HiRoad, LibertyMutual, Nationwide, and Progressive.
• Comparison shop: When it comes to car insurance, loyalty doesn’t always pay off. You may be able to save money by working with another insurer. You can find the best car insurance rates by requesting quotes from leading companies.

FAQs about car insurance costs in RI