Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Rhode Island (2025)

High-risk drivers in Rhode Island often pay more expensive rates than drivers with a clean record. But it’s still possible to find affordable coverage.

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Despite being the smallest state, Rhode Island has a large number of high-risk drivers, including people with driving under the influence (DUI) convictions. While the state doesn’t require high-risk drivers to carry SR-22 insurance, high-risk Rhode Island drivers may have difficulty getting coverage — and have to pay higher premiums.1

The cost of liability car insurance for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island is $171 per month, on average, compared to $147 per month for drivers with clean records. Here’s what to know about getting high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island and how to find the best rate. 

Quick Facts
  • Direct Auto has the lowest average premiums for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island.

  • Rhode Island doesn’t use a points system to determine risk or penalties.

  • Rhode Island drivers with a DUI on their record typically pay the highest rates.

Who is a high-risk driver in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, a high-risk driver typically refers to someone who has a history of serious traffic violations or convictions on their driving record. This might include:

  • Multiple at-fault accidents

  • DUI conviction

  • Reckless driving charge

  • Teens or newly licensed drivers

  • Driving with a suspended license

  • Driving without car insurance

Best Rhode Island auto insurance companies for high-risk drivers

The cost of high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island varies depending on the seriousness of the traffic violations on record. Insurers also look at other factors when determining rates, like age, vehicle type, location, ZIP code, and how often you drive.2 

If you’re a high-risk driver, shopping around to compare rates and coverage can help you find the best policy for your situation. Here’s a look at some of the best auto insurance companies in Rhode Island for high-risk drivers.

Direct Auto: Best for low rates

Allstate: Best for customer satisfaction

GEICO: Best for discounts

  • When choosing the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island, we compared factors like costs for drivers with an incident, available discounts, customer service options, customer satisfaction ratings, and overall financial stability. 

    The companies we’ve listed above offer competitive rates, a range of discounts, accessible customer service teams, and high customer satisfaction and financial stability ratings.

Cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island with an at-fault accident

Drivers with an at-fault accident on their record typically pay higher car insurance premiums than people with a clean record. Insurance companies assume more risk to insure drivers with a history of collisions, which is why they often increase premiums after an accident.

Below, you can see the average car insurance rates from several insurance companies in Rhode Island for drivers with an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance in Rhode Island with a DUI

A DUI is one of the most serious convictions, and it can have a significant effect on auto insurance premiums. If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence in Rhode Island, you’ll likely face an insurance rate increase.

In the following table, you can see the average cost of liability-only insurance and full-coverage insurance for Rhode Island drivers with a DUI on their record.

Cheapest auto insurance in Rhode Island with a speeding ticket

Getting a speeding ticket can affect your auto insurance premium. If you get caught speeding, it indicates to your insurance company that you’re potentially driving unsafely, increasing the risk of an accident or other serious incident.

Below, you can see average car insurance rates in Rhode Island for drivers with speeding tickets from several insurers.

How to find cheaper car insurance for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island

High-risk drivers in the Ocean State often pay the most expensive car insurance premiums. But if your record is less than perfect, you may be able to lower your rate.

Here are some tips that could help you get cheaper car insurance:3

  • Check for discounts. Many Rhode Island car insurance companies offer discounts. While exact savings vary, you can often find discounts for good students, taking a defensive driving course, policy bundling, paying your premium in full, and insuring a vehicle with certain safety features.

  • Consider state-run programs. If you can’t find affordable standard auto insurance, you might qualify for insurance coverage through the Rhode Island Automobile Insurance Plan (RIAIP). This speciality coverage is available to Rhode Islanders who’ve tried and failed to get car insurance within the last 60 days.4

  • Work with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent can help you get quotes from numerous insurers that work with high-risk drivers. This can help you find the cheapest rate without having to do the comparison shopping yourself.

  • Raise your deductibles. If you have a full-coverage car insurance policy, raising your deductibles for collision and comprehensive insurance can reduce your monthly premium. Just make sure to choose a deductible that you could afford to pay if you had to file a claim.

  • Compare quotes. One of the most effective ways to find affordable high-risk auto insurance in Rhode Island is to compare quotes from several insurance companies. To simplify the process of comparing quotes, you can use a comparison website to see quotes from multiple insurers using a single application.

How to improve your driving record in Rhode Island

If you’re a high-risk driver in Rhode Island, you may be able to save money on car insurance by improving your driving record. Here are some ways to do that:

Rhode Island high-risk drivers insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about high-risk car insurance in Rhode Island, here’s some additional information that can be helpful as you compare policies and quotes.

  • Does Rhode Island require SR-22s?

    No. Rhode Island doesn’t require SR-22 certificates for high-risk drivers. But while SR-22s in Rhode Island aren’t mandatory for high-risk drivers, having a poor driving record or credit history can still affect your premium.

  • Which driver is considered high-risk in Rhode Island?

    In Rhode Island, a high-risk driver usually has multiple at-fault accidents, multiple serious traffic violations within a short period of time, or a DUI conviction. Additionally, insurers may consider people who get caught driving without car insurance or with a suspended license to be high risk.

  • How do auto insurance companies calculate risk in Rhode Island?

    Car insurance companies in Rhode Island calculate risk by reviewing customers’ driving records and credit-based insurance scores. If the insurer determines that a driver poses a higher amount of risk due to their history and other rating factors, they’ll likely assign a higher premium.

  • What is the cheapest insurance company for Rhode Island high-risk drivers?

    Based on Insurify’s data, the cheapest auto insurance company for high-risk drivers in Rhode Island is USAA, with an average rate of $157 per month for liability insurance.

  • How much does high-risk auto insurance cost in Rhode Island?

    The total monthly cost of high-risk auto insurance in Rhode Island is $171 per month for a liability policy. But car insurance premiums depend on many factors, including your ZIP code, age, and vehicle type.

  • Is Rhode Island a no-fault car accident state?

    No. Rhode Island isn’t a no-fault state. That means the driver who causes an accident is responsible for compensating the other person for their injuries and property damages using their car insurance.

Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli

Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com. 

Elizabeth has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.

Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers in Rhode Island (2025) | Insurify