Uninsured vs. Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Rhode Island

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Rhode Island has one UM coverage. An underinsured driver carries liability coverage less than the limits or damages you are legally entitled to recover. Your fault reduces damages but never bars recovery.

One coverage

R.I. Gen. Laws 27-7-2.1(g) says the term "uninsured motorist" includes an underinsured motorist, defined as the owner or operator of a vehicle carrying liability coverage less than the limits or damages the insured is legally entitled to recover. Coverage also applies when the responsible party's insurer was or became insolvent.

How it pays

The statute does not say how the UIM payment is calculated against the other driver's payment, so the calculator shows both an on-top-of-it reading and a reduced-by-limits reading. Your policy controls; ask your insurer in writing.

Fault

Your damages are reduced in proportion to your negligence, and fault never bars recovery (R.I. Gen. Laws 9-20-4). Rhode Island has no no-fault threshold for pain and suffering.

Deadlines

Actions for injuries to the person must be commenced within 3 years (9-1-14(b)). If a timely action against the insured returns "non est inventus," the time to sue the insurer directly is extended.

Next steps

Stacking is a separate question; see our statute post and the explainer, then use the Rhode Island UM/UIM stacking calculator.

This is general information, not legal advice, and the state comparisons above are illustrative, not an exhaustive survey. Confirm how Rhode Island's rules apply to your specific case with a licensed Rhode Island attorney.