Rhode Island auto insurance
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Getting around with Rhode Island auto insurance
While the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority does offer statewide bus service throughout major cities such as Providence and Cranston, many Rhode Islanders in suburban and rural areas use personal vehicles for transportation. A recent study ranked Rhode Island as one of the worst states to drive in. Here’s why having the right Rhode Island auto insurance is necessary.
Exploring the numbers in Little Rhody
As of the 2020 census, Rhode Island clocks in at almost 1.1. million residents statewide. It is the seventh-least populous state. While its population is lower than that of many of the country’s largest cities, Rhode Island is the second-most densely populated state because of its area. And where there are many people living in an area or region, you can expect many drivers on the roads.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation designs, builds, operates and maintains the following throughout the state:
• Over 3,300 miles of state highway and roadway lanes.
• Over 1,100 bridges.
• Over 700 traffic signals.
• Six rail stations.
• Over 90 miles of on-road bicycle routes.
• Over 50 miles of off-road bicycle paths.
Nearly 71% of Rhode Islanders are licensed to drive, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Whether you’re on a dedicated highway or bridge, motoring in Rhode Island puts you near other drivers, trains, bicyclists and pedestrians.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the state compared negatively to the rest of the United States in three key areas regarding fatalities by car crashes:
• Rhode Island exceeded the country in percentages of car crash-related deaths in nearly every age group, except those between the ages of 15 and 24.
• Rhode Island has lower than the national average of people wearing seatbelts.
• The average number of alcohol-impaired deaths is higher in Rhode Island than across the country.
Auto collisions also result in property damage costing more money than most people can afford to pay for out-of-pocket. Having Rhode Island auto insurance isn’t just the law, it’s also the most practical way for you to demonstrate financial responsibility for operating a vehicle. VIU by HUB takes the guesswork out of analyzing Rhode Island auto insurance quotes for you and anyone else you want to include in your policy.
Meeting Rhode Island auto insurance requirements
By law, you are required to have car insurance in Rhode Island. Failure to do so can result in penalties that include fines of up to $500 and loss of driving privileges. Liability coverage helps pay for bodily injuries and property damage sustained in an accident. The minimum limits that a policy must provide are:
• $25,000 Bodily Injury coverage per person.
• $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident.
• $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
This is known as 25/50/25 Liability coverage.
Uninsured Motorist
While state law does not require you to purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage, the law requires that every insurance company offer it to their auto insurance clients for liability limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage pays for expenses when you are hit by an at-fault driver who either didn’t carry insurance (uninsured) or didn’t carry enough insurance to address all the medical bills or car repair costs (underinsured). Consider adding this coverage when shopping for Rhode Island auto insurance quotes.
Going above and beyond
Per the National Safety Council, the average cost of a collision that involves property damage is around $4,600. When you add in injuries, this can go up to over $23,000. Imagine an accident that involves several vehicles or injured people. The cost to replace a luxury vehicle can easily exceed $25,000. VIU by HUB helps you explore coverage limits that are reasonable for driving around the Ocean State.
Paying for auto insurance
Rhode Islanders can expect to pay around $1,900 annually for full coverage. This is below the national average of $2,000. Rhode Island is one of the most affordable states for auto insurance. Various factors will affect what you pay for your Rhode Island auto insurance plan:
• Age: Younger drivers tend to pay more.
• Gender: Men pay more on average than women.
• Location: Drivers in cities such as Providence, Cranston and Pawtucket pay higher premiums than those in rural areas.
• Driving record: Safer drivers with fewer incidents on their record pay lower rates.
• Vehicle: Many insurers will charge less if you’re driving a vehicle with enhanced safety and security features.
Your history as a borrower and the amount of debt you’re carrying will also affect the Rhode Island auto insurance quotes you see. Finally, your premium will also depend on the amount and types of coverage on your specific policy.
Examining the bigger picture
As a responsible driver, you should have enough coverage for yourself and others that drive your vehicle, such as family members. If you’re leasing or financing a car, the lienholder may require you to purchase coverages beyond what’s required by the state. Look to VIU by HUB to understand different coverage types and what makes sense for your situation. Consider these protections:
• Collision Coverage: Protection for your vehicle repair or replacement from colliding with other objects.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage or losses other than collision like theft, vandalism and certain types of weather events.
• Medical Payments: Pays for some policyholder driver and passenger medical expenses in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.