How to Find Temporary Car Insurance in Rhode Island
If you’re looking for short-term car insurance in Rhode Island, the best course of action is to get a regular-length policy and cancel early.
Written by Sara Brody
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you want to know how to find temporary car insurance in Rhode Island, your safest bet is to purchase a six-month policy and cancel it early. While some companies will advertise temporary car insurance, they are usually scams.
Unfortunately, options for short-term car insurance are limited—if they exist at all. Most companies that offer temporary plans are not reputable. And legitimate providers don’t typically sell policies that are shorter than six months.
But there are still ways for drivers in unconventional situations to get the coverage they need!
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison shopping app, is here to fill you in on the nitty-gritty of short-term car insurance in Rhode Island
.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is temporary car insurance?
In a sense,
temporary car insurance
doesn’t exist. Most policies are designed to last six months to a year, meaning that it’s difficult to find a short-term plan. To complicate matters further, there are scammers among us! These companies offer fraudulent short-term policies or redirect interested parties to salespeople who will try to sell you a six- or 12-month plan. So, to err on the side of caution, your best bet for finding temporary car insurance in Rhode Island is to purchase a six-month policy from a reputable insurer and cancel it early.
Remember that driving without insurance is a serious offense in almost every state, so do not drive after canceling. If you plan to keep your car, be sure to have new insurance in place before canceling your old policy.
Best companies for temporary car insurance in Rhode Island
Although policies under six months are extremely uncommon, some providers in Rhode Island will let you cancel your insurance early with no extra charge.
Here are the top companies for temporary car insurance in Rhode Island:
- State Farm: It’s easy to cancel a State Farm policy, and in most cases, you can get a refund with no early cancellation fee. The average rate in Rhode Island is $198 for 90 days.
- USAA: USAA doesn’t charge cancellation fees and does provide refunds—but keep in mind that it’s only available to military members and families. The average rate in Rhode Island is $225 for 90 days.
- Amica Mutual: Amica Mutual is the third-most affordable option in Rhode Island, with 90-day coverage costing an average of $357 for 90 days.
When considering temporary insurance options, it’s important to note that you cannot drive without insurance. Therefore, if you keep your car after canceling the temporary policy, you’ll need to buy another policy to stay in compliance with
Rhode Island car insurance law
. Gaps in your insurance coverage can lead to a $251 insurance verification reinstatement fee. You’ll also be required to file an
SR-22 certificate
.Alternatives to temporary car insurance
Along with canceling a longer plan early, there are a few other options for drivers seeking short-term car insurance:
rental car insurance
and non-owner car insurance
.Rental car insurance
To drive temporarily in Rhode Island, renting a car might be a better option than buying one. That way, instead of purchasing your own short-term car insurance policy, you can buy rental car insurance through the rental car company—insurance problem solved!
For the highest level of protection, you should have the option to sign a collision damage waiver (CDW) with the rental car company. However, many experts assert that CDWs are overpriced. As an alternative, you can purchase rental car liability insurance or personal car accident insurance, which the rental company should offer, as well.
Otherwise, your existing credit card may provide free rental collision coverage. Read through your credit card’s fine print or contact the company to find out more.
Non-owner car insurance
If you’re not a car owner but you often borrow or rent one, consider buying non-owner car insurance to protect yourself and the vehicle you’re driving. Unlike most car insurance policies, which are tied to the cars on the plan, this coverage would follow you from car to car.
This allows you to meet Rhode Island’s mandated 25/50/25 limits for liability insurance, and it’s usually 10% cheaper than traditional insurance.
How to find affordable car insurance in Rhode Island
Whether you want coverage today, tomorrow, or for the next 10 years, it’s never been easier to find the best rates in Rhode Island. Just sign up with
Jerry
, plug in your information, and receive competitive, personalized quotes in under a minute. As a
licensed broker
, Jerry compares plans from over 55 insurance companies to find you exactly the coverage you need. Jerry can even help cancel your old policy and sign you up for a new one.On top of next-level customer service, Jerry saves the average user $887 per year!
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Can I insure a car for just one month?
Most providers offering short-term car insurance policies are actually scammers. You’re usually better off buying a six-month plan and canceling it early.
What happens if you drive without insurance in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, driving without insurance is a misdemeanor that results in fines of up to $1,000 and license suspension for up to one year. You’ll need to pay a $251.50 insurance verification reinstatement fee once you have coverage again, and you may need an SR-22 certificate too.
