Rhode Island UM/UIM Coverage, Offers, Elections, Reductions & Rejection Rules

Rhode Island currently regulates uninsured/underinsured-motorist coverage through R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-7-2.1 and 230-RICR-20-05-1. Coverage analysis should distinguish the law in effect on the policy’s issue or renewal date from amendments that have been enacted but are not yet effective.

2026 enactment — effective April 1, 2027

Chapter 388 of the 2026 Rhode Island Public Laws (2026 H 7520 Substitute A), enacted June 19, 2026, amends § 27-7-2.1 and expressly takes effect April 1, 2027. Among other changes, the enactment adds property damage to the statutory underinsured-motorist framework. Until that effective date, do not describe the amendment as current Rhode Island law.

Rhode Island Public Laws 2026, Chapter 388 — enacted amendment and April 1, 2027 effective date

230-RICR-20-05-1 — Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance

Current-law review: September 17, 2026. Chapter 388 is enacted but not effective until April 1, 2027; policy-date and renewal-date analysis remains essential.

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