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Rhode Island Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Rhode Island car insurance law: minimum liability limits, fault or no-fault, uninsured motorist coverage, proof of insurance, penalties for driving uninsured, SR-22, title and registration.

Quick answers for Rhode Island

Minimum coverage required
Rhode Island requires an owner's liability policy of at least 25/50/25: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage, or a $75,000 combined single limit. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-47-2, 31-47-12(c)
At-fault or no-fault
Rhode Island uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. Alabama Department of Insurance, State Auto Insurance Laws (national table)
Driving without insurance
Knowingly driving (or letting someone drive) a registered vehicle without required financial security can bring license and registration suspension: first offense, suspension of up to 3 months and a fine of $100 to $500; R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-9
SR-22 filing
After an uninsured-driving suspension, reinstatement requires filing and maintaining proof of financial security. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-47-9(c), 31-47-12(c)

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Required coverage

Minimum coverage requiredRhode Island requires an owner's liability policy of at least 25/50/25: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage, or a $75,000 combined single limit. Alternatives include a financial security bond, a $75,000 deposit of cash or securities, or a certificate of self-insurance.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-47-2, 31-47-12(c)
At-fault or no-faultRhode Island uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Rhode Island among the "Tort States."
Source: Alabama Department of Insurance, State Auto Insurance Laws (national table)
Uninsured motorist coverageRequired unless reduced in writing. Insurers must provide uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage equal to the insured's bodily injury liability limits; the named insured may choose lower limits in writing, but not below $25,000/$50,000, except that someone buying only the minimum required coverage may reduce it to zero after signing an advisory notice approved by the Department of Business Regulation. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage can be rejected in writing (and is not required if the insured has collision coverage); it carries a $200 deductible unless otherwise agreed.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-7-2.1
Proof of insurancePolice must ask for proof of financial security when investigating a motor vehicle offense or crash or when stopping a vehicle for probable cause (vehicles cannot be stopped just to check insurance). Proof may be shown on a mobile electronic device, and the officer may not view other content on the device. A citation issued only for failing to show proof is held for at least one business day so the driver can show coverage that existed at the time and have it withdrawn. Rhode Island also has an uninsured motorist identification database run by the Division of Motor Vehicles to verify coverage.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-47-12(d), 31-47.4-2

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Driving without insuranceKnowingly driving (or letting someone drive) a registered vehicle without required financial security can bring license and registration suspension: first offense, suspension of up to 3 months and a fine of $100 to $500; second offense, a 6-month suspension and a $500 fine; third or later offense, suspension of up to one year and a $1,000 civil fine. To reinstate, the person must pay a $30 reinstatement fee (which can be raised to up to $50) and file and maintain proof of financial security.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-9
SR-22 filingAfter an uninsured-driving suspension, reinstatement requires filing and maintaining proof of financial security. Proof can be a certificate of proof of financial responsibility, a bond, a certificate of deposit of money or securities, or a self-insurance certificate. Rhode Island also has a separate chapter on proof of financial responsibility for the future (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 31-32) that applies in certain circumstances such as unpaid crash judgments.
How long proof must be maintained was not found in the sections read.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-47-9(c), 31-47-12(c)

Your rights with insurers

Cancellation and nonrenewalStarting 60 days after a policy begins (or immediately for a renewal), an insurer may cancel only for listed reasons, including nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a household or regular driver; fraud; violation of policy terms; certain medical conditions without a physician's certificate; three or more speeding or motor vehicle misdemeanor violations within 18 months; or certain serious convictions (such as DUI or leaving the scene) within 36 months. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment of premium, with the reason). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' notice before the policy period ends, with reasons.
Source: 230-RICR-20-05-2 (Auto Insurance Cancellation and Renewal Provisions), §§ 2.4-2.6
Total loss rulesRhode Island classifies salvage vehicles as Classification A (extensive damage, good for parts only) or Classification B (considerable damage but repairable); insurers evaluate and classify salvage, subject to Division of Motor Vehicles review. When an insurer sells a salvage vehicle, it must apply for a salvage certificate of title (DMV fee $50 charged to the insurer).
Salvage title section: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-46/31-46-2.htm. No percentage-of-value total loss threshold was found in the sections read.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-46-1.1, 31-46-2

Title and registration

Registering after you moveA Rhode Island resident must register any out-of-state-registered vehicle that is parked or garaged overnight in the state for more than 30 days in total in a year. Nonresidents with a valid home-state license may drive in Rhode Island.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-7-1(b), 31-10-2

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

What is the minimum car insurance required in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires an owner's liability policy of at least 25/50/25: $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage, or a $75,000 combined single limit. Alternatives include a financial security bond, a $75,000 deposit of cash or securities, or a certificate of self-insurance.
Is Rhode Island a no-fault car insurance state?
Rhode Island uses the at-fault (tort) system: the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through liability insurance. The Alabama Department of Insurance's national table of state auto insurance laws lists Rhode Island among the "Tort States."
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Rhode Island?
Required unless reduced in writing. Insurers must provide uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage equal to the insured's bodily injury liability limits; the named insured may choose lower limits in writing, but not below $25,000/$50,000, except that someone buying only the minimum required coverage may reduce it to zero after signing an advisory notice approved by the Department of Business Regulation. Uninsured motorist property damage coverage can be rejected in writing (and is not required if the insured has collision coverage); it carries a $200 deductible unless otherwise agreed.
Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Rhode Island?
Police must ask for proof of financial security when investigating a motor vehicle offense or crash or when stopping a vehicle for probable cause (vehicles cannot be stopped just to check insurance). Proof may be shown on a mobile electronic device, and the officer may not view other content on the device. A citation issued only for failing to show proof is held for at least one business day so the driver can show coverage that existed at the time and have it withdrawn. Rhode Island also has an uninsured motorist identification database run by the Division of Motor Vehicles to verify coverage.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Rhode Island?
Knowingly driving (or letting someone drive) a registered vehicle without required financial security can bring license and registration suspension: first offense, suspension of up to 3 months and a fine of $100 to $500; second offense, a 6-month suspension and a $500 fine; third or later offense, suspension of up to one year and a $1,000 civil fine. To reinstate, the person must pay a $30 reinstatement fee (which can be raised to up to $50) and file and maintain proof of financial security.
When do you need an SR-22 in Rhode Island, and for how long?
After an uninsured-driving suspension, reinstatement requires filing and maintaining proof of financial security. Proof can be a certificate of proof of financial responsibility, a bond, a certificate of deposit of money or securities, or a self-insurance certificate. Rhode Island also has a separate chapter on proof of financial responsibility for the future (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 31-32) that applies in certain circumstances such as unpaid crash judgments.
How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Rhode Island?
Starting 60 days after a policy begins (or immediately for a renewal), an insurer may cancel only for listed reasons, including nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a household or regular driver; fraud; violation of policy terms; certain medical conditions without a physician's certificate; three or more speeding or motor vehicle misdemeanor violations within 18 months; or certain serious convictions (such as DUI or leaving the scene) within 36 months. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment of premium, with the reason). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' notice before the policy period ends, with reasons.
When is a car a total loss in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island classifies salvage vehicles as Classification A (extensive damage, good for parts only) or Classification B (considerable damage but repairable); insurers evaluate and classify salvage, subject to Division of Motor Vehicles review. When an insurer sells a salvage vehicle, it must apply for a salvage certificate of title (DMV fee $50 charged to the insurer).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Rhode Island?
A Rhode Island resident must register any out-of-state-registered vehicle that is parked or garaged overnight in the state for more than 30 days in total in a year. Nonresidents with a valid home-state license may drive in Rhode Island.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.