Since November 1993, Rhode Island state law has required every driver and owner to be financially responsible in case of an auto accident. The Insurance Division of the RI Business Regulation notes that the purchase of automobile liability insurance is the practical way to comply and that penalties will be levied on owners and drivers without the minimum required coverage.

In Rhode Island, you must carry minimum limits of bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The minimum limit required in Rhode Island for property damage is $25,000 per accident. These liability coverages normally pay not only when the owner is driving but when others are driving with the owner's permission.

It would appear from this information that if you do not own a car that you will either need a non-owners policy or be assured that the owner of a car that you borrow has insurance that would cover you. This may be possible without you being added to the owner's policy but the owner should check with their insurance carrier to make certain that you would be covered in an accident without them doing so.

For a non-owners car insurance quote for RI, click here.