Auto Insurance Requirements In Rhode Island

If you are driving or are getting ready to drive and you live in the state of Rhode Island, then you have arrived at the right web page. This brief but yet informative article will tell you what the auto insurance requirements are in Rhode Island as well as some optional coverage you can obtain for your vehicle.

Auto Insurance Requirements For RI Drivers
Liability Insurance is a requirement while operating a motor vehicle in RI. If you are in an accident and it is your fault, you need to help cover the other driver's expenses. When you purchase a policy, it must offer you under-insured/uninsured motorist insurance. This is an option and you are NOT required to add this to your policy.

Liability Coverage

This type of coverage helps to pay for damages done to another motorist's property if you are found to be at fault. And it also helps to pay for injuries incurred to the other motorist and/or their passengers. The minimum amount that you will have to purchase is:

Property Damage Coverage is $25,000 for each accident
Bodily Injury Coverage is $50,000 in total for each accident and $25,000 per person injured in that accident. Now, you can increase these limits of course but your insurance premiums will be higher but you will have increased coverage.

Under-insured/Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Although you are not required by law in the state of RI to carry this type of insurance, it would be prudent to opt for it anyway since about 15% of drivers in RI are uninsured or don't have enough insurance. Under-insured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage is equal to your liability coverage which is $25,000 for property damage coverage and $50,000 bodily injury coverage.

This means that if you add this coverage to your policy, you will be covered up to $25,000 for damage to your property and if you are injured in an accident and you were not at fault, you will be covered for up to $50,000.

This coverage kicks in if and only if you are involved in a hit-and-run accident or if you are involved in an accident and were found to be NOT at fault IF the driver of the other car does not have enough coverage or he/she does not have any car insurance.

Optional Auto Coverage In Rhode Island
Optional insurance coverage can be purchased with your policy. These types of coverages will provide you with added protection under different circumstances and it will help pay for bodily injuries, damages done to property, and other related expenses.

Medical Payments Coverage does what the title implies. It helps you to pay for medical expenses if your liability coverage does not cover it all.

Comprehensive Coverage helps you to pay for damages done to your vehicle that are not accident-related, such as theft, inclement weather, and wildlife.

Collision Coverage covers your vehicle in an accident where YOU were at-fault.

Coverage For Towing and Related Labor Costs pays to have your car towed when your vehicle breaks down or it is non-operational.

Reimbursement Rental Coverage gives you a reimbursement if you need to rent a vehicle after you have been in an accident.

By Law a leased or financed vehicle must have comprehensive and collision coverage. This is not an option when you do not own your vehicle.

There are penalties that will apply to you if you drive in RI without proper auto insurance. You could be fined between $500 - $5000. You could also have your vehicle's registration and license plate revoked.

For your first offense, your registration could be revoked for 3 months. For a second offense, it could be revoked for 6 months. For 3rd and additional offenses, you could have your registration revoked for 12 months. Failure to drive without insurance is a misdemeanor offense which could cost you a year in prison.

For more information on auto insurance in Rhode Island Click Here