Who Has the Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance in Rhode Island?

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Rhode Island requires riders to get motorcycle insurance, but coverage also protects you and your motorcycle. We collected more than 100 quotes from top insurers across the state to help you find the best insurer for your needs.

Cheapest motorcycle insurance companies in Rhode Island

Progressive had the cheapest motorcycle rates at $725 per year, which is $18 per year less than Dairyland. The average cost of motorcycle insurance in Rhode Island is $915 per year.

Cheapest motorcycle insurance companies in Rhode Island

Best motorcycle insurance for most riders: Progressive

Our top recommendation for most motorcycle riders in Rhode Island is Progressive because it has the widest selection of coverage options at the lowest price we found.

Progressive automatically includes $3,000 in coverage for accessories and custom parts, full replacement costs coverage and OEM parts coverage. Other add-on options the company offers include:

Riders can further lower Progressive's low rates with a suite of discounts that includes:

Best for daily riders: Dairyland

If you rely on your bike as a main mode of transit, Dairyland is an affordable option with a pair of key coverage options. Combining roadside assistance and rental reimbursement can help you get back on the road when your bike is in the shop.

Rental reimbursement provides 30 days of funds for a rental vehicle while your bike is being repaired. Roadside assistance includes 24/7 towing and service for when your bike has battery issues, a flat tire or mechanical problems. Riders can also get roadside resupplies of fuel, oil, fluid or water for their bikes.

Dairyland's service in Rhode Island is some of the most affordable we found. The average Dairyland motorcycle insurance rate in the state was $743, nearly 19% cheaper than the state average.

Customer service is a major drawback for Dairyland, as the company receives more complaints than expected for its size. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Dairyland has a 2.69 complaint index rating, which means it received 169% more complaints than a company with its market share is expected to.

Best for customer service: Nationwide

Riders who value reliable customer service as part of their motorcycle coverage in Rhode Island should take a look at Nationwide. The company has some of the best ratings for service, but it does come at a higher price.

Nationwide has the best rating in the NAIC Complaint Index among the companies we looked at. The rating of 0.53 means Nationwide gets only 53% as many complaints as would be expected based on its share of the market. That's a sign its customers are for the most part pleased with their service.

The company also has an A+ rating for financial stability from AM Best. That means you can count on the company to have the funds to pay your claims, even if there is a calamity that affects a large number of policyholders.

However, Nationwide did have the highest rates we found. The average cost for a policy is $1,226, which is 34% higher than the Rhode Island state average.

Customers can reduce those high rates with discounts that include:

Best-rated Rhode Island motorcycle insurers

The top option for customer service in Rhode Island is Nationwide. The company has a low rate of customer complaints and a reputation for strong financial stability.

The NAIC bases its scores on the combined premiums for auto and motorcycle insurance, as it considers them part of a single industry category.

A rider's experience with a motorcycle insurance company will often rely on high-quality customer service, especially after an accident, so it should factor into your purchase decision. We measure that customer service with the NAIC Complaint Index, as well as the AM Best Financial Strength Rating.

A company with a better AM Best rating is more financially stable and in a better position to pay out claims to all of its customers during tough economic times. The NAIC Complaint Index compares a company's share of the overall insurance market to how many complaints it gets. Lower numbers indicate better performance, and the average score is 1.00.

Rhode Island motorcycle insurance costs by city

Where you live will likely have an impact on the rates you pay for motorcycle insurance. Factors like auto thefts and traffic can affect rates, and we looked at how the cost of coverage changes across different Rhode Island cities.

The cheapest city we found for motorcycle insurance is Pascoag, with a rate of $811 per year. The most expensive cities were Pawtucket, Providence and Central Falls, each with a rate of $1,049.

Rhode Island motorcycle insurance requirements

Rhode Island riders must obtain a minimum level of insurance coverage to legally take to the road. Those required coverages include bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.

We always recommend more than the minimum coverage levels for riders. Medical bills resulting from an at-fault accident can sometimes surpass $25,000, leaving you on the hook. Your own bike will be protected by comprehensive and collision coverage in a range of situations.

Methodology

To find the best rates, we collected motorcycle insurance quotes directly from four major Rhode Island companies: Progressive, Nationwide, Dairyland and Allstate. Our sample rider is a 45-year-old married man who rides a 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide.

We used the following coverage limits, which surpass the state minimums: