Rhode Island just told insurers: you can’t raise someone’s rates just because they asked about their policy.
Until now, nothing in the law stopped insurers from imposing a premium surcharge or penalty solely because a driver inquired about their policy terms. This law changes that.
It’s a small change, but it could matter for drivers - and for how insurers handle customer questions. The new rule, approved by lawmakers in June 2025, kicks in on January 1, 2026. From that date, insurers can’t impose a surcharge or penalty simply because a customer asked about their policy.
Both the House and Senate passed nearly identical bills (H 5570 Substitute B and S 0084 Substitute A as Amended) to make this clear. Supporters aimed to ensure drivers could ask about their coverage without fear of added costs.
This measure joins other consumer protections in Rhode Island’s auto insurance rules - including bans on surcharges when drivers are under 50% at fault in an accident (Section 27-9-4(d)), when a property damage claim is under $3,000 (Section 27-9-4(e)), or solely because a driver is 65 or older with a clean record (Section 27-9-4(a)(6)).
For insurers, it’s a reminder to review practices and ensure they align with the new rule by 2026. And for policyholders? It’s added peace of mind when reaching out to understand their coverage.
