Rhode Island Car Insurance Requirements

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Car insurance minimums in Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires car owners to have only one type of auto insurance: Liability. But if you're in an accident, the state minimum might not be enough. It's good to know the insurance types available in Rhode Island so you can have coverage you're happy with.

Minimum liability insurance in Rhode Island:

Liability car insurance pays others for injuries and property damage if you cause an accident. But liability insurance won't pay for any damage to your own car, or your injuries, when you cause an accident.

$25,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident
$25,000 property damage per accident

This is usually written as 25/50/25.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage:

UM/UIM pays for your injuries if your car is struck by a driver with no liability insurance, or not enough to pay your medical bills. Car insurance companies in Rhode Island must offer UM/UIM but you can reject it in writing. If you buy it, you must buy limits of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident (called 25/50).
A type of UM coverage called uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) is also available in Rhode Island. It's like UM except it covers your car damage rather than injuries. You can reject it in writing. If you buy UMPD, the minimum limit is $25,000.

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage:

Rhode Island doesn't require MedPay but it's available. MedPay is for medical bills and funeral expenses after an accident, for you and anyone riding in your car, no matter who was at fault. It also covers you if you're hit by a car while walking or riding in someone else's car. It's typically available in small amounts. If you don't want MedPay in your auto insurance policy in Rhode Island you'll need to reject it in writing. If you buy it, the minimum coverage is $2,500.

More: Cheap car insurance in Rhode Island

Comprehensive and collision coverage:

Comprehensive insurance covers theft of your vehicle or damage caused by hitting an animal, hail, flood, fire, vandalism, falling objects and explosions.

Collision coverage:

For damage to your car if you hit another car or an object, like a sign post or even a building.

Rental reimbursement:

Pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired after a car accident that's covered by your collision or comprehensive insurance.

You must show an insurance ID card (or other proof of financial responsibility) in Rhode Island when:

Law enforcement requests it.
You renew vehicle registration.

Penalties for not having car insurance in Rhode Island

False proof provided: Fine of $500 to $3,000, jail up to one year, or both. Reinstatement fee of $30 to $50.
Operating without insurance: Three-month license suspension, possible fine of $100 to $500.
Second offense: Six-month license suspension, possible fine of $500.
Third offense: One-year license suspension and possible fine of $1,000.

Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

Complaints against the largest auto insurance companies in Rhode Island

A national "complaint ratio" is meant to show the number of complaints against a company relative to the insurer's size of business. Here are complaint ratios for the biggest auto insurance companies in Rhode Island.