By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor
Rhode Island requires liability insurance and has a distinctive rule for uninsured motorist coverage: you can reject it only if you buy the bare minimum liability limits, and only after signing a state warning notice. Here’s what Rhode Island law requires, how coastal and urban driving shape your choices, and how we help Ocean State drivers compare auto insurance options by phone, email and online.
Rhode Island auto insurance: key facts
- Minimum liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury and $25,000 property damage, or a $75,000 combined single limit (230-RICR-20-05-3.10).
- Insurers must provide uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage equal to your liability limits (R.I. Gen. Laws §27-7-2.1).
- You can choose lower UM limits, but not below the state minimum, unless you buy only minimum liability.
- At minimum liability only, UM can be reduced to zero after signing a DBR-approved warning notice.
- Uninsured motorist property damage must be offered at $25,000; a written rejection is required if you don’t carry collision.
Rhode Island Minimums
What Rhode Island Law Requires
Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation sets the minimum owner’s policy at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, or a $75,000 combined single limit. Rhode Island is an at-fault state, so liability coverage is what pays others when you cause a crash.
25/50/25 liability
The legal floor for every Rhode Island owner’s policy. A $75,000 combined single limit also qualifies.
UM equal to liability
Insurers must include uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage equal to your liability limits unless you choose otherwise in writing.
Signed warning to reject
If you buy only minimum limits, you can drop UM coverage, but only after signing the state’s rejection notice and warning.
UM property damage
Offered at $25,000. If you have collision coverage, no written rejection is required.
See Your Rhode Island Options(603) 431-4020
Compare options from 40+ carriers. No obligation.
UM/UIM in Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s Uninsured Motorist Warning
The state’s required rejection form doesn’t mince words. It warns that if you choose not to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, you might have no auto coverage for your own injuries if an uninsured driver hits you, and it notes that many motorists passing through from other states may not be insured. The Department of Business Regulation strongly recommends that most motorists carry this coverage. We agree, and we’ll show you how UM limits fit with the rest of your policy.
Local Context
Driving in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small but busy. I-95 and I-195 carry heavy traffic through Providence, and Route 1 and the Newport and Jamestown bridges see summer congestion from beach and tourist traffic. Coastal storms bring wind-driven rain, flooding and icy bridges, and nor’easters can drop heavy snow. Many drivers cross into Massachusetts or Connecticut every day, so it’s worth confirming your policy works the way you expect across state lines.
Your Options
Carriers We Work With for Rhode Island Auto
For Rhode Island drivers, we can compare auto coverage from carriers including the ones below, which are among the 40+ carriers we work with. Availability depends on the driver and vehicle, so we’ll tell you which options fit your situation.
Request a Rhode Island auto insurance quote
About 90% of quotes within 24 hours. We don’t charge any fees. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020.
Related Pages
More From PAI
For an overview of coverage types, visit our auto insurance hub. Neighbors can compare Massachusetts and Connecticut auto insurance rules.
Questions
Rhode Island Auto Insurance FAQs
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability, or a $75,000 combined single limit.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Rhode Island?
Insurers must include it at limits equal to your liability coverage. You can choose lower limits in writing, but not below the state minimum, unless you buy only minimum liability. In that case you can reject it entirely after signing a state warning notice.
What is uninsured motorist property damage in Rhode Island?
It helps pay for damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver. Insurers must offer it at $25,000. If you carry collision, no written rejection is required.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault state?
No. Rhode Island is an at-fault state, so the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the damages.
Can you help Rhode Island drivers?
Yes. We’re licensed in Rhode Island and serve Rhode Island drivers by phone, email and online.
Get Started
Compare Rhode Island Car Insurance With Us
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005 and licensed in 10 states. We compare auto coverage from 40+ carriers, hold an A+ BBB rating, and have earned 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. We don’t charge any fees.
If you’re new to Rhode Island, adding a driver, or want a clear look at your uninsured motorist choices, we’ll compare options with you. Call (603) 431-4020 or request a quote online.
Get Your Auto Insurance Quote(603) 431-4020
Compare options from 40+ carriers. No obligation. We don’t charge any fees.