Why trust NerdWallet
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating homeowners insurance.
More than 270 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 50 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C. (See our top picks.)
Amica and Chubb are among the best home insurance companies in Rhode Island, according to our analysis.
We analyzed data from more than 30 insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in Rhode Island. Below are the insurers that earned 4.5 stars or more in our analysis.
Rates are based on a sample homeowner with good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,350 | ||
Not available | ||
$2,375 | ||
$2,685 | ||
Not available | ||
$2,875 | ||
Not available | ||
USAA* | Not available | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Get home insurance quotes in minutes
Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.The best homeowners insurance companies in Rhode Island
Here's more information about the best homeowners insurance companies in Rhode Island.
Amica
- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Dividend policies can return a portion of your premiums.
- You can start a quote online but may have to finish the buying process by phone.
Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Chubb
- Far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Perks to help you protect your home.
- Most consumers can't get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Chubb caters to owners of high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the NAIC. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost coverage in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.
If you insure a secondary or seasonal home in Rhode Island with Chubb, you can sign up for the company’s Property Manager service at no charge. With this service, a Chubb representative will inspect your home after a hurricane, report its condition to you, submit a claim on your behalf and help prevent further damage.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
Allstate
- Lots of discounts to help you save.
- Home-sharing coverage available.
- Many ways to customize your coverage.
- Ranked below average for consumer satisfaction in recent J.D. Power studies.
Allstate is one of the largest home insurance companies in the U.S. The company offers many ways to customize your policy, including replacement cost coverage for your personal property and coverage for water damage caused by backed-up drains. Other, less common options may include home-sharing coverage and reimbursement for replacing damaged items with energy-efficient versions.
You may also be able to upgrade your policy with the Enhanced Package. One benefit of this package is Deductible Rewards, which takes $100 off your deductible for signing up, plus an additional $100 off for each year you go claim-free. And if you do file a claim, your rates won’t go up.
» READ MORE: Allstate homeowners insurance review
Andover Companies
- Far fewer consumer complaints than expected.
- Includes more generous dwelling and personal property coverage than most insurers.
- Many additional coverage options to choose from.
- Limited online experience.
The Andover Companies’ home insurance policies generally come with broader coverage for your belongings and more coverage for the structure of your home than a standard homeowners policy provides. (Note that most but not all homes qualify for this coverage.)
Most Andover policies also include a generous amount of ordinance or law coverage, which pays to upgrade your home to current building codes during repairs after a covered claim.
» READ MORE: Andover Companies homeowners insurance review
Cincinnati Insurance
- Various coverage options.
- Far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Coverage available for higher-value homes.
- No online quotes.
- Very little information on website.
Cincinnati Insurance sells homeowners policies through independent agents, with various options for standard and high-value homes. You may be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, personal cyber attacks or certain types of water damage.
Cincinnati may offer you a discount for bundling home and auto insurance, having a newer home or installing a centrally monitored alarm system.
» READ MORE: Cincinnati Insurance homeowners insurance review
Nationwide
- Offers free smart device to prevent electrical fires in many states.
- Many discounts available.
- Website offers lots of useful features and information.
- Doesn't insure mobile or manufactured homes.
We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.
Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.
» READ MORE: Nationwide homeowners insurance review
Travelers
- User-friendly website.
- Coverage and discounts for eco-friendly homeowners.
- Doesn’t insure mobile or manufactured homes.
- Poorly rated Android app.
Travelers offers a robust online experience. You can use the website to get a homeowners insurance quote, file and track claims, make payments, and learn about insurance basics.
Its coverage offerings are similarly strong. For example, you may be able to add extra coverage in case the dwelling limit on your home isn’t enough to rebuild your house after a disaster. One unique option is Travelers’ green home coverage, which pays extra if you want to use eco-friendly materials when repairing or rebuilding your home after a covered claim.
» READ MORE: Travelers homeowners insurance review
USAA
- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Perks for military homeowners.
- Available only to active military members, veterans and their families.
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military members and their families. If that description fits you, you may want to consider a USAA policy. That’s because the company’s homeowners insurance has certain features that other insurers may charge extra for.
For example, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy brand-new replacements for your stuff.
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Rhode Island?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Rhode Island is $2,080. That’s nearly the same as the national average of $2,110.
In most states, including Rhode Island, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In Rhode Island, those with poor credit pay an average of $3,475 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 67% more than those with good credit.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Rhode Island by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Rhode Island depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Providence is $2,420 per year, while homeowners in Newport pay $2,455 per year, on average.
City | Average annual rate | Average monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
Barrington | $1,720 | $143 |
Bristol | $2,240 | $187 |
Central Falls | $2,035 | $170 |
Coventry | $2,390 | $199 |
Cranston | $1,940 | $162 |
Cumberland | $1,865 | $155 |
East Greenwich | $2,425 | $202 |
East Providence | $2,075 | $173 |
Johnston | $2,050 | $171 |
Lincoln | $2,075 | $173 |
Middletown | $1,875 | $156 |
Newport | $1,870 | $156 |
North Kingstown | $2,375 | $198 |
North Providence | $1,905 | $159 |
Pawtucket | $2,050 | $171 |
Portsmouth | $2,260 | $188 |
Providence | $2,420 | $202 |
Riverside | $2,075 | $173 |
Smithfield | $1,900 | $158 |
Tiverton | $1,840 | $153 |
Wakefield | $2,005 | $167 |
Warwick | $2,455 | $205 |
West Warwick | $2,375 | $198 |
Westerly | $2,090 | $174 |
Woonsocket | $1,955 | $163 |
The cheapest home insurance in Rhode Island
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Rhode Island average of $2,080.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
NLC Insurance | Not rated | $1,125 |
$1,350 | ||
Narragansett Bay | Not rated | $1,730 |
Common risks for Rhode Island homeowners
Here are a few of the most common risks Rhode Island homeowners face, along with steps you can take to insure your home against them.
Flooding
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically don't cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in at-risk areas may need to buy separate flood insurance.
To check your flood risk, start by looking up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps don’t always capture all types of flood risk. You may want to check another source, like First Street, a private company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
Remember that while you can buy flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect.
Winter storms and nor’easters
Homeowners insurance typically covers most winter storm-related damage, but it's essential to review your policy so you understand any specific limitations or exclusions. For example, water damage caused by snowmelt may only be covered by a separate flood insurance policy.
Coastal storms and hurricanes
In general, there are two primary risks associated with coastal storms and hurricanes: wind and flood. Flood damage, as discussed above, is not included in standard homeowners insurance policies. If you live in a coastal area, consider buying separate flood insurance.
You may have a separate hurricane deductible that kicks in when a hurricane warning is issued and remains in effect for 24 hours. In Rhode Island, your hurricane deductible can be a flat rate or a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit (or a combination of the two). Either way, it can’t exceed 5% of your home’s insured value. So if your home has $300,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you could have a hurricane deductible up to $15,000.
Rhode Island insurance department
The Insurance Division of the state's Department of Business Regulation oversees the insurance industry in Rhode Island. In addition to providing answers to common questions about insurance, the agency's website also includes an online form that allows you to file a complaint against your insurer. Contact the division with questions by email at DBR.Insurance@dbr.ri.gov or by phone at 401-462-9520.
- Find home insurance in other states
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Rhode Island?
Is homeowners insurance required in Rhode Island?
Homeowners insurance isn't required by Rhode Island state law. However, your lender may require you to buy home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
Does Rhode Island home insurance cover flooding?
Does Rhode Island home insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners insurance policies in Rhode Island don't cover flooding. If you live in a flood plain or an area at risk for floods, you should consider buying flood insurance.
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in Rhode Island?
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in Rhode Island?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Rhode Island:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.
Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in the 25 largest cities in each U.S. state by population. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.
Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:
$300,000 in dwelling coverage.
$30,000 in other structures coverage.
$150,000 in personal property coverage.
$60,000 in loss of use coverage.
$300,000 in liability coverage.
$1,000 in medical payments coverage.
We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
