Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island: Top Companies in 2024 (2024)

Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island

We analyzed the top Rhode Island car insurance companies based on industry standing, coverage options, add-on protections and other key factors. We also weighed average cost data from Quadrant Information Services as we rated providers.

Compare Rhode Island Auto Insurance

Travelers is our top-rated auto insurer for Rhode Island drivers. USAA, Geico, Progressive and Nationwide also make the list.

All our Rhode Island recommendations offer the following standard types of auto coverage:

• Bodily injury and property damage liability car insurance
• Collision insurance
• Comprehensive coverage
• Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay)
• Personal injury protection (PIP insurance)

Compare our top five picks for Rhode Island car insurance below.

*Our research team considers nationwide factors when rating providers. The ranking order of providers in this table is specific to car insurance in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Car Insurance Customer Experience

A few key factors helped to determine our ratings for industry standing and customer experience, including the following:

• J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠ scores in the New England region
• AM Best financial strength ratings
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings
• Premium and market share statistics from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Our August 2022 car insurance survey, which included nearly 7,000 respondents, also factored into our final provider ratings.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Rhode Island

The sections below offer more detailed information about each of our recommended Rhode Island car insurance companies.

#1 Travelers: Best for Most Drivers

J.D. Power score: 782/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)

BBB rating: A

Travelers is our top pick for car insurance in Rhode Island and got the Best for Most Drivers award in our nationwide review of the insurance industry. The company offers a solid combination of affordability, coverage variety and discounts.

If you’re a Rhode Island driver looking for full coverage, Travelers has an average cost of $1,806 per year or $151 per month. This is 23% cheaper than the state’s average, making Travelers one of the most affordable providers. Additionally, the average for minimum coverage in the Ocean State is $49 monthly or $593 annually.

Coverage

You can get all the standard types of auto insurance through Travelers, along with a few unique add-on protection options. The provider offers guaranteed asset protection (gap) insurance that covers the difference between your vehicle’s assessed value and what you owe on it in the event of a total loss. Travelers also features accident forgiveness, two types of roadside assistance and new car replacement coverage.

Reputation

Travelers was one of the strongest performers in our car insurance survey, with average or better ratings across the board. The company typically ranks right around average in J.D. Power consumer studies.

Read more: Travelers Insurance Review

#2 USAA: Best for Military Members

J.D. Power score: 896/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)

BBB rating: Not rated

USAA offers some of the best and cheapest auto insurance in the country. The only drawback is that the company’s policies are only available to active members of the military, veterans and their immediate family members. If you do qualify for USAA coverage, you’d be hard-pressed to find better or cheaper coverage in Rhode Island.

USAA drivers in Rhode Island may find average rates of $1,417 annually or $118 monthly for full coverage, which is 40% more affordable than the state average. The average annual cost for USAA minimum coverage is $474.

Coverage

Along with the six standard auto coverage types listed above, you can choose from a variety of add-on protections from USAA. These optional coverages include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursem*nt and accident forgiveness. USAA also offers the following discounts to lower rates further:

• Safe driver
• Defensive driving (for completing a course)
• Good student
• Multi-vehicle
• Vehicle storage (for those serving far from home)

USAA also offers a telematics program called SafePilot® that can save good drivers as much as 30% at policy renewal time. You even get a 10% discount just for signing up for the program.

Reputation

USAA received the highest score in the New England region of the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Although the provider wasn’t technically ranked due to its eligibility criteria, USAA’s score of 896 was significantly higher than the average score of 878.

In our car insurance survey, USAA policyholders gave the company a score of 4.3 out of 5 for overall customer satisfaction. The average score in our survey was 4.2.

Read more: USAA Insurance Review

#3 Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers

J.D. Power score: 836/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A++ (Superior)

BBB rating: A-

Geico is a household name and the second-largest auto insurer in the state of Rhode Island, according to the NAIC. The company offers quality auto coverage at affordable prices, which is why we gave Geico our Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers award. In fact, full-coverage car insurance from Geico is $2,055 per year or $171 per month on average in the Ocean State. This is nearly 13% cheaper than the state’s average. Minimum coverage is $815 on average per year.

Coverage

Geico stands out for offering mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) along with the standard types of auto coverage. MBI is similar to an extended warranty, giving long-term vehicle protection against breakdowns due to normal use.

DriveEasy, Geico’s usage-based program, can also save good drivers as much as 25% on their car insurance premiums when they renew their policy.

Reputation

Geico had the highest score among qualifying insurers in the New England region of the Auto Insurance Study. The provider also received strong marks in our car insurance survey. Respondents rated it the fourth-most likely auto insurer to be recommended to family and friends.

Read more: Geico Insurance Reviews

Compare: USAA vs. Geico or Geico vs. Progressive

#4 Progressive: Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers

J.D. Power score: 802/1,000

AM Best financial strength rating: A+ (Superior)

BBB rating: A

Progressive is the most popular auto insurer in Rhode Island, according to the NAIC’s 2022 Market Share Report. It’s also our pick as the Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers thanks to its well-reviewed mobile app and Name Your Price^® Tool, where you fill in what you’re willing to pay and Progressive helps you find car insurance well within your budget.

On top of that money-saving opportunity, Progressive generally features affordable average premiums as well. Progressive’s average cost of full-coverage auto insurance for Rhode Island drivers is $2,272 per year or $189 per month, which is about 4% cheaper than the state average. For drivers looking for just minimum coverage, the average is $1,132 annually or $94 monthly.

Coverage

Progressive offers add-on protections to complement the standard types of car insurance. Along with roadside assistance and rental car reimbursem*nt, the company also offers the following:

• Loan/lease payoff: This is another name for guaranteed asset protection, or gap insurance.
• Custom parts and equipment value: This covers aftermarket accessories like custom paint and audio systems.
• Pet coverage: If you get into an accident and your accompanying pet gets harmed in the process, this thorough coverage will help pay for its injuries.
• Deductible savings bank: This decreases your car insurance deductible by $50 every six-month period without an accident or violation.

Progressive also features the Snapshot® usage-based program, which tracks your driving behaviors through an app or plug-in device and rewards safe drivers with discounts. The company claims average savings of $231 per year for good drivers. Keep in mind that your rates can go up with Snapshot if you display unsafe driving habits.

Reputation

Progressive received scores just below average in both the New England region of the J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study and the 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠. The provider also came in just below average with a 4.1 out of 5 overall satisfaction rating in our car insurance survey.

We reached out to Progressive about its below-average scores but have not yet received a response.

Read more: Progressive Insurance Review

#5 Nationwide: Best for Usage-Based Insurance

J.D. Power score: N/A

AM Best financial strength rating: A (Excellent)

BBB rating: A+

Nationwide features a wide variety of car insurance coverage options and a long list of discounts. In fact, we gave the company our Best for Usage-Based Insurance award because it has two usage-based programs and offers a discount of up to 40% for one of those programs. Nationwide also holds an A+ rating from the BBB, which shows that it’s responsive to customer needs and complaints.

Nationwide has average full-coverage costs of about $2,190 annually or $182 monthly, which is 7% less than the state average for auto insurance. Minimum-coverage insurance costs an average of $1,300 per year or $108 per month.

Coverage

Along with standard auto insurance options, Nationwide also offers roadside assistance, rental car reimbursem*nt, gap coverage and accident forgiveness. There’s also a vanishing deductible option that takes $100 off your deductible for each year of safe driving (up to $500 total).

Nationwide features a traditional usage-based program called SmartRide® that rewards safe driving behaviors. The company also offers a pay-per-mile insurance program called SmartMiles^®, which may be the cheapest option for those who don’t drive often. With SmartMiles, you’ll get flexible monthly rates based on how much you drive.

These are among the discounts Nationwide offers:

• Multi-policy (bundling discount)
• Accident-free driving
• Good student
• Defensive driving course
• Anti-theft devices
• Automatic payments

Reputation

Nationwide was just below the average score in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠ with an 875 out of 1,000. In our car insurance survey, Nationwide received a 4.1 overall customer satisfaction score. This was just below the average score of 4.2.

Read more: Nationwide Insurance Review

How To Find the Best Car Insurance in Rhode Island

Let’s take a closer look at what car insurance is required in Rhode Island and how you can find the best coverage for your specific needs.

Rhode Island Car Insurance Requirements

Rhode Island drivers are required to carry minimum auto coverage at the 25/50/25 level. Here’s what that means:

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

You can also opt for a policy with a single coverage limit of $75,000. Whichever state minimum coverage option you select, remember that this type of policy is only intended to compensate other drivers for their injuries or property damage from an at-fault accident. To be protected from medical bills and damage to your own vehicle, you need a full-coverage policy that includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

What About Your Lender?

If you’re financing or leasing your car, your lender will almost certainly require you to have a full-coverage policy. This is the lender’s way of protecting its asset until all payments have been made. As you might expect, full coverage is significantly more expensive than Rhode Island’s minimum liability coverage.

Consider Your Coverage Needs

As you compare car insurance providers, you’ll quickly find some differences in coverage options and discount opportunities. Some companies offer more add-on protections than others. You’ll also find that discounts can vary widely from one provider to another. If you have special coverage needs — like a teen driver in your household or multiple cars to insure — it pays to explore all money-saving opportunities.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Rhode Island

Based on data from Quadrant Information Services, Rhode Island drivers with good credit and clean driving records pay about $2,357 per year or $196 per month for full-coverage car insurance. The national average cost of full coverage is about $2,008 per year or $167 per month.

Keep in mind that car insurance rates in Rhode Island are determined by a few personal factors, including:

• Your location: Residents in rural areas may have the cheapest car insurance due to lower risks of traffic accidents and car-related crimes.
• Your age group: Young drivers tend to pay higher average rates due to a lack of experience behind the wheel and higher rates of accidents.
• Your driving history: If you’re considered a high-risk driver because you have speeding tickets, at-fault accidents or DUIs on your record, you may pay more for car insurance.
• Your credit score: Those with poor credit are often charged more for coverage.
• Your vehicle age, make and model: Certain cars are more expensive to repair than others, so they may be pricier to insure.
• Your deductible choice: Higher deductibles mean more expensive out-of-pocket costs, but cheaper premiums.

Rhode Island Car Insurance Costs by City

The table below shows the average cost of full-coverage car insurance for 35-year-old drivers with good credit and clean driving records in Rhode Island. You’ll notice rates in more urban areas like Providence often result in higher average costs.

Car Insurance Discounts in Rhode Island

Auto insurers make it easy for you to get the best car insurance rates with various kinds of discounts. These are a few of the most common savings opportunities that can help you secure cheap car insurance in Rhode Island:

Multi-Vehicle Discounts

Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy is a reliable way to save on your premiums. Most companies offer discounts for this, especially Travelers and Geico.

Bundling Discounts

Packaging your auto coverage with your homeowners, renters, boat or life insurance is a good way to trim your annual premium.

Usage-Based Insurance Discounts

Many auto insurers feature a usage-based option (also known as a telematics program) as a way to offer the cheapest rates. Through a mobile app or plug-in device, these programs monitor your driving habits and reward you for safe behaviors. Avoiding sudden stops and rapid acceleration could save you up to 30% when you renew your policy.

Good Student Discounts

If you have a teen driver in your household, good student discounts are definitely worth exploring. Many insurers offer discounts between 10% and 25% for full-time students who maintain at least a “B” average.

Best Rhode Island Car Insurance: The Bottom Line

Travelers, USAA, Geico, Progressive and Nationwide are our top picks for car insurance in Rhode Island. Excellent coverage, sterling industry reputations and competitive pricing can be found with each of these providers. To get the best possible deal, we suggest comparing car insurance quotes from several companies.

Best Auto Insurance in Rhode Island: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the best car insurance in Rhode Island:

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Industry standing (20% of total score): Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Cost and discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
• Customer experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

• 800 hours researched
• 45 companies reviewed
• 8,500+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.