Rhode Island drivers aren’t legally required to purchase uninsured motorist coverage with a minimum coverage policy—but with 16.5% of drivers uninsured, it’s a wise investment.

If you’re planning to get behind the wheel in Rhode Island, you’re required to have

liability insurance

that meets the minimum state requirements—that is,

bodily injury liability

and

property damage liability

Rhode Island’s minimum insurance limits are on par with many other states. Still, if you’re involved in an accident and either you or the other driver sustain significant damage, the limits may not be enough to fully cover your costs—especially if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured. That’s why uninsured motorist insurance exists—to protect you financially from those who choose not to invest in insurance. And to keep your wallet happy and full!

Not sure where to start?

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Do you need uninsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island?

Although Rhode Island does not require drivers to purchase

uninsured motorist coverage

, it’s a reasonable consideration—but do you actually need it?

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. According to statistics published in 2019 by the

Insurance Information Institute

, 16.5% of drivers in Rhode Island don’t have insurance that meets the minimum state requirements. That puts it just shy of the top 10, landing 11th place—a relatively high number considering states like

New York

and

New Jersey

have uninsured motorist rates below 5%.

Why should you care? Being involved in an accident with an insured driver is one thing, but if you get into an accident with a driver who doesn't have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance, you’re liable for covering the costs. And with a chance of colliding with an uninsured driver higher than the one in eight national average, it’s risky—and dangerous.

That’s why uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is key. It’s an affordable option to offer greater protection on the road and keeps you covered where other drivers’ insurance doesn’t. On top of covering vehicle repair or replacement, uninsured motorist coverage also helps cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.

But while UM coverage may offer more peace of mind, the best part is that it’s cheap—UM/UIM coverage in Rhode Island costs, on average, less than $100 annually, making it an excellent option for greater protection that won’t break the bank.

That said, as with all types of insurance coverage, your exact rate will depend on your driver’s profile and how much coverage you decide to purchase. But there is good news—with a rate outside of the top 10 highest uninsured driver states, purchasing UM coverage in Rhode Island will be substantially cheaper than states like

Mississippi

Michigan

, and

Tennessee

, all of which have uninsured driver rates over 20%.

MORE:

How many drivers are uninsured?

How uninsured motorist insurance works in Rhode Island

Before we get into the nitty gritty or purchasing uninsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island, let’s first take a look at the state’s minimum insurance requirements.

The insurance minimums in Rhode Island are as follows:

$25,000 of bodily injury liability per person

$50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident

$25,000 of property liability per accident

But remember that bodily injury liability only covers the costs of repairs or medical bills for the other driver if you’re involved in an at-fault accident—it doesn’t cover your medical bills or vehicle repairs. And while sticking to the state-set limits for liability insurance is a great way to keep insurance costs low, it also exposes you to a fair bit of risk.

Plus, you also want to consider that healthcare costs in Rhode Island aren’t cheap. The Rhode Island Health Care Cost Trends Steering Committee announced that healthcare spending per capita grew 4.1% between 2018 and 2019, resulting in roughly $8,949 spent on healthcare per covered Rhode Islander. But for people who aren’t paying employer-sponsored insurance premiums, those costs are steep—and largely unaffordable for most people.

However, healthcare costs are lower than in most other states, with an average monthly cost of $413 and an annual cost of $4,956. Even still, when you tack on the

average cost of an ER visit

in Rhode Island, which will run you about $1,750, plus ambulance bills, surgical expenses, rehabilitation costs and time, lost wages, and more, you’re looking at a total bill that could easily go well over the minimum Rhode Island insurance limits.

What’s available

That said, when it comes to purchasing uninsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island, what are your options?

The UM/UIM insurance available in Rhode Island falls under two categories:

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UMBI): Covers accident-related medical expenses for you (and your passengers) after an accident with an uninsured driver

Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (UIMBI): Covers personal medical expenses if the other driver involved in a crash doesn’t have sufficient liability insurance to cover your costs

When you purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you also get uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) and underinsured motorist property damage (UIMPD). This covers losses from an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or at least not enough cover the damage to your property—including your house, vehicle, lawn, or other areas.

Although UMBI and UIMBI aren’t legally required by Rhode Island state law, all insurance providers are required to offer a minimum of $25,000 in property damage per accident. If you opt out of this coverage, you’ll need to decline it in writing.

What it covers

Generally speaking, the uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance bodily injury coverage in Rhode Island takes care of the costs associated with injuries for you and your passengers, resulting in a driver without insurance or sufficient insurance to cover your costs. But UM/UIM also covers additional costs related to the following:

Future medical expenses

Lost wages

Long-term rehabilitative or nursing care

Medical devices such as wheelchairs

Retrofitting your house to accommodate a disability caused by the accident

Services such as yard work or cleaning that you’re no longer able to do

Pain and suffering (under certain circumstances)

So why invest in UM/UIM insurance? If you or a loved one are involved in a serious crash and sustain substantial injuries, having this coverage means you don’t have to break a sweat figuring out how you will cover all of the expenses. For a reasonable annual fee, UM/UIM coverage is a simple and affordable way to stay safe and manage additional or unexpected expenses.

How to make a claim

The process is relatively simple and straightforward regardless of what type of car insurance claim you’re making. In any situation, you’ll want to exchange insurance information with the other individual involved in the accident. If they don’t have insurance, or if you don’t think their policy will cover all of the costs, it’s time to file a UM/UIM claim.

Filing a UM/UIM claim is similar to filing any other insurance claim, but it may involve an extra step or two in certain situations. For example, if you’re the victim of a hit and run that damages your vehicle or causes personal injury, you’ll file a claim with your insurance company as you would with any other UM/UIM claim. However, because there is damage to your vehicle, you may be subject to a higher deductible amount.

Here’s what you’ll need to do to file a UM/UIM claim: call your insurance company, explain what happened, and provide as many documents as possible (like medical records, accident reports, or hospital and doctor’s bills). Every piece of supporting documentation you send to your insurance company will make it easier for them to evaluate your case.

But remember that if your medical costs exceed your UM/UIM insurance limit, the excess costs will need to be absorbed through your health insurance,

personal injury protection (PIP)

coverage, or out of your pocket.

MORE:

Here’s what happens if you’re in a car accident without insurance

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Why it’s a good idea to buy uninsured motorist insurance in Rhode Island

Purchasing uninsured motorist coverage is easy and can be a huge relief in the event you’re involved in an accident. But the short-term drawback is obvious: cost. Liability insurance can be expensive in and of itself, and adding UM/UIM coverage increases your monthly fees even more.

And we get it—insurance is expensive, but that’s why

Jerry

exists. We’re here to help drivers find savings on insurance! But there are several reasons why investing in UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Rhode Islands accident injury rate is variable

According to information released by the

Rhode Island Department of Health

, accident injuries in drivers between the ages of 25 and 64 were substantially higher than the national average, with many of those injuries resulting from improper seatbelt use. Other sources suggest that while traffic deaths may be down, accidents involving texting and driving are steadily increasing. That’s why investing in UM/UIM coverage is important—if you happen to be involved in a crash without who doesn’t have insurance, you’re covered.

And whether the driver decided to stick around or not, improper or lack of insurance means your insurance provider has to cover the costs up to the insurance limit you’ve purchased. The remainder comes out of pocket if your expenses exceed your insurance limits. That’s why having uninsured motorist coverage—and having sufficient limits—is critical.

MORE:

Should I get a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident?

More than one in seven Rhode Island drivers don’t have sufficient insurance coverage

While Rhode Island may not have as high an uninsured driver rate as Tennessee or

Michigan

, a one in seven chance of being involved with uninsured drivers still means you’re at decently high risk—and are you willing to take that risk? Certain cities are far worse for uninsured drivers than others, but it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

Regardless of whether you’re in

Providence

or Wickford Village, the risk of being involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver is pretty high, meaning purchasing UM/UIM coverage to your insurance policy almost pays for it itself.

How to save on uninsured motorist coverage in Rhode Island

For many drivers, purchasing basic liability insurance coverage is enough—it’s expensive and something that, unfortunately, you can’t get around. So, adding additional coverage isn’t even a consideration because of the extra financial stress. But at the end of the day, $100 annually for greater peace of mind and protection on the road might be worth it in a state where more than 15% of the population doesn't have insurance.

And when you can get affordable rates for

car insurance

by shopping with

Jerry

, why wouldn’t you? Jerry’s

trustworthy insurance comparison app

is here to save you money. Whether you want only liability or are interested in additional coverage, Jerry unlocks the best rates based on your driver’s profile. Sign up in less than 45 seconds and browse the most competitive quotes from over 55 top insurance providers.

All you have to do is download the app, plug in your driving details, and save! It’s that easy. Best of all, the average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance!

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