For such a tiny state, homeowners in Rhode Island pay a huge premium for their home insurance. To help you find affordable coverage, we reviewed the best Rhode Island home insurance companies based on market share, policies and discounts.
Although it’s not the cheapest carrier, Amica easily took the top spot because of its stellar reviews, customizable coverage options, and customer service. Allstate, Narragansett Bay, and UPC Insurance are also good contenders for best home insurance in Rhode Island.
Top 4 Home Insurance in Rhode Island
- Amica
- Allstate
- Narragansett Bay
- UPC Insurance
Compare Rhode Island’s Best Homeowners Insurance
| Average Price | AM Best Financial Strength | J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction* | |
| Amica | $1,045 | A+ | 845 |
| Allstate | $1,191 | A+ | 814 |
| Narragansett Bay | $607 | A | N/A |
| UPC Insurance | $679 | A- | 747 |
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Best Homeowners Insurance in Rhode Island
Amica
Amica is not one of the largest insurers in the U.S., but its great customer service outperforms many of the big names in the industry. It offers standard coverage options and, since it’s owned by its policyholders, you may receive a dividend each year.
Best for Customer Service
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Great customer service
- Handles claims quickly and efficiently
- Money-back dividends for some policies
- Replacement value for personal belongings
Cons
- Bare-bones website
- Limited discounts
Discounts available
- Credit when you insure your new or remodeled home
- Burglar or fire alarms; sprinkler system
- Automatic detection devices such as a water or gas leak system
Unique features
Amica’s most unique feature is its consistent appearance at the top of the best customer service lists. It’s been number one with J.D. Powers, in fact, for 18 years—that’s a legacy of customer care that is hard to match.
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Amica:
Allstate
Allstate’s strength is in the diversity of its offerings and discounts, which allows you to pick and choose the coverage that works best for your circumstances. It has a great website, with tons of useful information.
Best for New Home Buyers
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Diverse discount opportunities
- Informative website and digital tools
- Above-average customer service
Cons
- NAIC complaint index high
- Financial strength ratings good, but not great
Discounts available
- Early signing discount
- Homebuyer discount
- Hail-resistant roof discount
Unique features
Allstate’s discount list is longer than most national insurers. You could save up to 10% on your premiums if you sign up for your new policy at least 7 days before the current one expires.
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Allstate
Narragansett Bay Insurance
Narragansett Bay Insurance is a regional home insurance provider that sells basic, yet affordable home insurance coverage. Because it’s a smaller company, the customer service is better than most national providers.
Best for Affordable Coverage
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Many coverage options
- Offers private flood insurance
Cons
- No online quotes
- Few discounts
Discounts available
- New home
- Safe home
- Claims-free
- Loyalty
Unique features
Narragansett Bay offers a service called ShelterPride, which includes a professional in-home appraisal to assess ways for the homeowner to avoid common losses.
**Some regional providers don’t have enough third party ratings to calculate a score.
UPC Insurance
UPC specializes in insurance for homes located in coastal areas. This insurer shines when it comes to policy options, offering something to fit the needs of most Rhode Island homeowners.
Best for Flood Insurance
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Wide variety of coverage options
- Offers private flood insurance
Cons
- No online quotes
- Must work primarily with agents
Discounts available
- Protective device
- New roof
- Working with an accredited builder
- Pay in full
- Retired homeowner
Unique features
UPC Insurance sells private flood insurance and NFIP flood insurance, so it’s a great option for any homeowner who needs flood coverage in addition to robust home insurance.
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Rhode Island
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost of homeowners insurance in Rhode Island is $1,551 per year or about $120 per month. That’s much higher than the U.S. national average rate of $1,211 per year. Actually, Rhode Island is the sixth most expensive state for homeowners insurance. However, the actual rate you’ll pay for home insurance depends on a number of personal factors, like your zip code, age, credit score, and more.
Home Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
Many homes in Rhode Island are at risk of severe flooding, so having flood insurance is important. Some home insurance companies, like Narragansett Bay Insurance and UPC Insurance, sell private flood policies. You can also buy coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is backed by the federal government. If you want to get the highest payout possible after a loss, consider upgrading your policy to replacement cost coverage if your insurance company offers it.
The Cheapest Home Insurance Companies in Rhode Island
| Largest Companies by Market Share in Rhode Island | Average Annual Premium |
| State Farm | $564 |
| Narragansett Bay | $607 |
| UPC Insurance | $679 |
| Metropolitan Insurance | $832 |
| AIG | $968 |
| Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange | $1,026 |
| Amica | $1,045 |
| Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company | $1,143 |
| Allstate | $1,191 |
| Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company | $2,083 |
Cost of Homeowners Insurance by Age of Home
| Age of Home (years) | Sample Annual Premium |
| 5 years | $1,010 |
| 20 years | $1,266 |
| 35 years | $1,286 |
| 50 years | $1,272 |
| Average across tiers | $1,208 |
Top 3 Cheapest Rhode Island Homeowners Insurance
- State Farm – $564
- Narragansett Bay – $607
- UPC Insurance – $679
Top 3 Most Expensive Home Insurance in Rhode Island
- Providence Mutual – $2,083
- Allstate – $1,191
- Merrimack Mutual – $1,143
Resources Helpful for Rhode Island Homeowners
If you’re purchasing home insurance for the first time, we recommend checking out the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation’s resources on home insurance. You’ll find helpful information about what home insurance covers, how to create a home inventory of your personal belongings, and how to protect your home throughout the seasons. You can also visit Rhode Island’s Emergency Management Agency for more information about flood insurance.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Is homeowners insurance required in Rhode Island?
The state of Rhode Island does not require its citizens to have home insurance, but most mortgage lenders do require homeowners insurance when you purchase your home.
What is the cheapest homeowners insurance in Rhode Island?
Based on our data, the cheapest homeowners insurance policy is offered by State Farm. However, State Farm “does not actively market new business” in Rhode Island at this time. If you can’t get a policy from State Farm, we recommend looking into Narragansett Bay or UPC Insurance for cheap coverage.
How We Selected the Best Home Insurance Companies
We evaluated the companies based on their customer rating and experience, financial stability, and coverage to determine the best providers. To compare home insurance companies across the board, we then calculated a Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Customer Ratings– Customer ratings are an indication of satisfaction with the process of filing a claim. We measured this using J.D. Power Homeowners Satisfaction ratings.
- Coverage– As there isn’t one company to fit everyone’s needs, we evaluated companies by the number of coverage options and add-ons available.
- Confidence– It is extremely important for insurance companies to fulfill customers’ claims. Companies with sound financial strength will not have issues paying out claims, regardless of the amount. However, companies with weak financial strength might not be able to pay out claims. We measured this using AM Best’s ratings, which specializes in assessing the financial strength of insurance companies.
- Customer Experience– The number of complaints a company receives is an indicator of the overall customer experience as it expresses dissatisfaction. We have based this measure on the NAIC National Complaint Index.
About the Authors
Elizabeth Rivelli is a Rhode Island-based copywriter and content marketing consultant. She has expertise writing about home, auto and business insurance, and has been published in widely-read publications, including the Simple Dollar, Bankrate and Decision Data. Elizabeth holds a BA in Communications from Northeastern University in Boston.
