Best car insurance in Rhode Island for 2023

Best car insurance companies in Rhode Island

We began our search for the best auto insurance in Rhode Island by partnering with Quadrant Information Services to obtain current quoted premium information from the largest insurance carriers in the state. We then reviewed each company’s coverage options, discounts, financial strength ratings and third-party customer service scores — like the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study — to assign each carrier a Bankrate Score. The higher the Bankrate Score, the higher each company ranked in each category. To evaluate how competitive these rates are in Rhode Island, we can compare them to the state’s annual averages for full and minimum coverage, which are $1,886 and $551, respectively.

If you are looking for the best car insurance in Rhode Island, you may want to consider the following companies:

How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in Rhode Island

To determine the best Rhode Island auto insurance, we pulled average rate data for some of the largest companies by market share. We then compared financial strength ratings and customer satisfaction scores from AM Best and J.D. Power. Coverage options, discounts and digital tools were also assessed for top carriers before assigning each a Bankrate Score out of 5 points.

How much is car insurance in Rhode Island?

The average annual cost of car insurance in Rhode Island is $1,886 per year for full coverage. This is lower than the U.S. national average of $2,014. Minimum coverage is also cheaper than average in the state at $551 per year compared to the national average of $622. 

Although Rhode Island's average premiums are below the national average, they are a bit pricier than some neighboring states. Connecticut has annual average rates of $1,553 for full coverage and $620 for minimum. Massachusetts has annual averages of $1,262 for full coverage and $429 for minimum. Differences in cost may be the result of several variables, including rates of traffic accidents, population densities, local costs of repairs and more.

How to find the best car insurance in Rhode Island

Car insurance is a personal product, so the best company and coverage options for you may depend heavily on your personal needs. If you are shopping for Rhode Island car insurance, you may want to start with the following steps:

Consider minimum insurance requirements in Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires all drivers to have the state-mandated minimum amount of car insurance to legally drive their car on the road. Reputable car insurance companies will not allow you to buy a policy with less than these minimum liability requirements, but most insurance professionals recommend purchasing higher limits if you can afford to do so. Full coverage car insurance may offer better financial protection in the event of an accident or other covered incident. 

Consider lender requirements

If you finance or lease your vehicle, you may be required to carry full coverage car insurance. These requirements may help to protect both you and the lender if your vehicle becomes damaged or totaled. Without full coverage, drivers can be stuck paying off the loan on a car that is no longer functional while still needing to find the finances for a new vehicle.

Consider your individual needs

Everyone has different needs when it comes to auto insurance coverage. Maybe you have a young driver and need a company with plenty of teen driver discounts. Or perhaps your driving record is not the best, and you need a company that will insure high-risk drivers. The first step to finding the best coverage for you is likely understanding what you need. Once you've narrowed down the coverage types, discounts and digital tools you want, you can compare quotes from carriers that offer these options. 

Frequently asked questions