Looking for Cheap Car Insurance in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island car insurance takes a hit when the Ocean State is ranked one of the highest for biggest hassle and frustration in commuting. Constant traffic congestion contributes to inflated insurance rates that can leave Rhode Island drivers paying more than they have to—so we took a look at what you could do about it.
When you choose an insurance provider, the company considers several factors, including your location, to set your premium. Also remember that no two providers use the same formula, so shopping around will help you save.
If you live in Pawtucket or anywhere else in Rhode Island, Carlay is your one-stop shop for affordable insurance.
Carlay is here to take care of your car insurance needs so you can focus on more important things like guacamole and crosswords. With Carlay, the licensed broker, you get access to exclusive savings on the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island. Just answer a few questions to get started. You'll have quotes in seconds, and everything is 100% free!
Here are some real quotes from customers in Rhode Island who have saved money with Carlay:
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's average cost of basic liability car insurance is $2,456 per year. Rhode Island full-coverage car insurance costs an extra $3,309 per year.
To buy basic car insurance, people in the United States pay an average of $1,783 per year. To buy full-coverage car insurance, consumers pay an average of $2,485 annually.
What contributes to the insurance rates in Rhode Island?
The following things can contribute to your rates:
- Uninsured drivers
If you like to drive fast and take chances you've come to the right place. Rhode Island's high number of uninsured drivers is sure to get your heart racing, if nothing else.
- Severe weather
If you live in the Ocean State, you know how bad our weather can get. Any time there's an inch of snow or when Mother Nature throws a hurricane at us, your mind wanders to what you would do if you were left with a destroyed vehicle. We're here to help.
- High population density
Rhode Island drivers often find themselves fighting with drivers from neighboring states over who can get to the rotary first. And if you live in Newport or Providence, you'll be dealing with a high population density -- which generally leads to higher accident rates.
Here's how Rhode Islanders' insurance savings compare to the average American's:
| All Coverage Before Carlay | All Coverage After Carlay | Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | Minimum Coverage After Carlay | Full Coverage Before Carlay | Full Coverage After Carlay | |
| RI | $3,021 | $2,035 | $2,804 | $1,505 | $5,040 | $4,200 |
| National Average | $2,489 | $1,671 | $2,360 | $1,390 | $2,761 | $1,963 |
| RI | National Average | |
| All Coverage Before Carlay | $3,021 | $2,489 |
| All Coverage After Carlay | $2,035 | $1,671 |
| Minimum Coverage Before Carlay | $2,804 | $2,360 |
| Minimum Coverage After Carlay | $1,505 | $1,390 |
| Full Coverage Before Carlay | $5,040 | $2,761 |
| Full Coverage After Carlay | $4,200 | $1,963 |
Top auto insurance providers in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, Allstate, Safeco, and Progressive are among the top insurance providers. It can be difficult to decide between auto insurance providers, because each of them uses its own formula to determine its customers' risk.
A number of factors in your driving history and record can affect your rate. These include your age, your driving record, where you live, and the type of car you drive. If you drive a BMW I8, for instance, you'll probably pay more for car insurance than your friend who drives a Mazda.
Carlay customers are finding great deals with popular insurers in Rhod Island. Check it out:
What Car Insurance Do You Need in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a few different car insurance requirements that drivers must meet before they're able to legally drive.
| Coverage | Amount | Description |
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident | Covers the costs associated with injuries you cause to others |
| Property damage liability | $20,000 per accident | Covers the costs resulting from damage you cause to other people's vehicles or property |
Don't drive without insurance! The consequences of being caught without the required car insurance can be upsetting. Some of the penalties you may suffer include:
- Fines of up to $1,000
- Suspension of license, registration, and plates
- Combined reinstatement fees of more than $500
- SR-22 requirement for 1 year.
Minimum insurance may help cover your legal obligations if you're involved in an accident; however, this kind of coverage may not fully protect you or your assets. Here are a few more options that will:
| Coverage | Description |
| Collision insurance | Covers damages that are the result of a collision with a vehicle or stationary object |
| Comprehensive insurance | Covers damages that aren't the result of a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or a natural disaster |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Reimburses you for your expenses from an accident caused by an uninsured driver |
| Rental reimbursement | Reimburses you for your rental car expenses while your car is being repaired after a claimable accident |
| Personal injury protection | Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs after an accident |
Visit Carlay if you need car insurance quotes fast.
You get what you pay for, but why fork over more dough than you have to when you can save money on your car insurance? That's where Carlay comes in. Carlay is a licensed broker and only work with the top name-brand auto insurance companies. No sketchy policies or bait and switch offers here.
Caraly is all about finding you the best rates and resources at the lowest price. So when your current policy comes up for renewal, Carlay just checks to make sure you're getting the best deal. And if not, it will find you new quotes from other insurance companies. That way, you don't have to worry about your coverage.
When you know what type of insurance you need, we can discuss what factors drive up the cost.
How is Your Cost of Car Insurance Determined in Rhode Island?
Your insurance rates are determined by a number of factors, including your age, driving record, location, and vehicle type.
- Cost to insure your car in Rhode Island by age
Insurers will reward you for your driving experience by providing you with lower premiums when you are young. Young drivers are more likely to be in an accident than older drivers. Because of this added risk, insurance companies charge higher premiums to drivers under 25 years of age.
What young drivers in Rhode Island need to know
- Graduated licensing laws in Rhode Island provide many benefits to young drivers, parents and instructors.
- Taking an approved defensive driving course can help most young people get better auto insurance rates.
- To get a good student discount on your car insurance, it's important to have a safe driving record.
Drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 will probably not be charged the same low rates as their parents. The good news is that by shopping around for affordable rates and maintaining a clean driving record, you can help reduce premiums, which are usually rather high.
No matter your age, Carlay is the place to comparison shop for car insurance. Here are average rates by age:
| Age Group | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| 18-20 | $3,937 | $1,397 |
| 21-24 | $3,393 | $954 |
| 25-34 | $2,884 | $993 |
| 35-44 | $2,839 | $1,009 |
| 45-54 | $2,686 | $610 |
| 55-64 | $2,218 | $860 |
| 65+ | $2,727 | $1,118 |
- Cost to insure your car in Rhode Island with a poor driving record
In the event of an automobile accident, speeding ticket, or DUI conviction, your car insurance company may raise your premiums.
In Rhode Island, companies that issue insurance can look up all your traffic violations from the last five years. If you commit another violation within that period, it will be considered a second offense and you'll pay more.
But you're in luck: Carlay can help Rhode Island drivers find great auto insurance regardless of whether they have a blemish on their driving record.
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Clean Record | $3,694 | $1,151 |
| Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run | $4,404 | $3,076 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $4,229 | $1,454 |
| Failure to Obey Traffic Sign | $3,673 | $1,035 |
| Speeding under 15 | $3,513 | $1,011 |
| DUI | $2,973 | $578 |
| Other | $4,207 | $1,461 |
- Cost to insure your car in Rhode Island based on where you live
Rhode Island can be a fun place to live. But the cities can have their drawbacks too, especially when it comes to traffic accidents.
When it comes to car insurance, the zip code can be everything. Drivers living in high-risk areas pay more for car insurance than those living in low-risk areas. If you're looking for a new car insurance provider in Rhode Island, Carlay is here for you.
These are the places in Rhode Island where you'll pay less for auto insurance:
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Carlay |
| Cranston | $2,503 | $756 |
| Cumberland | $3,116 | $972 |
| East Providence | $2,871 | $1,091 |
| North Providence | $2,892 | $790 |
| Pawtucket | $2,924 | $1,073 |
| Providence | $3,052 | $795 |
| Smithfield | $3,000 | $700 |
| South Kingstown | $3,108 | $366 |
| Warwick | $2,582 | $845 |
| Woonsocket | $3,401 | $1,159 |
- Cost to insure your car in Rhode Island based on the type of car you drive
These days, insurance companies are using many criteria to determine how much you have to pay for coverage, and your car is a big part of the equation. For example, insurers will take into account what kind of car you drive when setting your premium. Although this isn't always the case, relatively inexpensive cars tend to cost less to repair or replace in case of an accident.
Owning a Nissan Rogue, for example, can lead to affordable insurance rates. Owning a BMW 530 XI can lead to higher premiums because of its high MSRP.
Here's what it costs to insure some popular automobiles made in Rhode Island, including the familiar Carlay:
How to Save Money On Car Insurance in Rhode Island?
Here are some tips to help you save money on your car insurance, whether you live in an urban or rural area, or drive an SUV or a hybrid:
- Shop around for quotes
The ideal way to insure yourself against all kinds of disasters is to comparison shop. No need to sort through paperwork or read overly complicated policies.
Carlay will streamline your car insurance shopping; it will generate competitive quotes from up to 50 providers in less than a minute, finalizing your new policy and canceling your old one while providing you with the best price when your coverage is up for renewal.
Comparison shopping can be tough, and you won't have to do any of that with Carlay.
- Look for discounts
Car insurance companies in Rhode Island offer discounts to their policyholders—if you qualify for some of them, be sure to ask your representative to see which ones you qualify for! Some of the most common car insurance discounts in Rhode Island include:
| Discount type | Who is eligible? |
| Bundling your policies | Get your car and home policies from the same company and you could enjoy a reduced premium. |
| Green vehicle discount | If you drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, you could be eligible for a good discount on your car insurance premium. |
| Good student discount | Full-time students with good grades can usually qualify for a healthy discount on their car insurance premium. You may have to provide proof of enrollment and grade point average. |
| Safe driver discount | Have you been accident-free for several years? Rhode Island drivers with a good record can usually get a “safe driver” discount. If you've never had a crash or a speeding ticket, ask about this discount. You may have to wait six months to prove that you're a safe driver. |
| Telematics discounts | In exchange for installing a free telematics device in your vehicle, you could get a discount on your premium. The device passively tracks your driving behavior and allows the company to reward you for safe driving. There's usually a discount just for signing up, too. |
- Increase your deductible
If you increase your deductible—the amount you pay towards each claim before your insurance coverage kicks in—you can lower your monthly premiums. It is a good idea to do this only if you can afford to pay the deductible in full before submitting a claim, otherwise you may find yourself in dire financial straits in the event of an accident.
Registering Your Car in Rhode Island
To register your car in Rhode Island, bring the following documents to a Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles office:
- A driver's license or ID card
- Proof of insurance. Proof of sales tax form
- A car title (TR-1) or signed lease agreement
- Emissions testing certificate, if applicable
- Safety inspection certificate, if applicable
If you're planning to go to the DMV in Rhode Island, make an appointment first. Once you get there, you'll have to fill out a registration form which will ask for some personal details as well as information about your vehicle.
Rhode Island residents are required to renew their vehicle registration every 2 years.