R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-33-9 (2026)

Self-insurers

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Any person in whose name more than twenty-five (25) vehicles are registered in this state may qualify as a self-insurer by obtaining a certificate of self-insurance issued by the department of business regulation as provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The department of business regulation may, in its discretion, upon the application of such a person, issue a certificate of self-insurance when it is satisfied that the person is possessed, and will continue to be possessed of, the ability to pay judgment obtained against the person. The certificate may be issued authorizing a person to act as a self-insurer for either property damage or bodily injury, or both.

(c) Upon not less than five (5) days’ notice and a hearing pursuant to notice, the department of business regulation may upon reasonable grounds cancel a certificate of self-insurance. Failure to pay any judgment within thirty (30) days after the judgment shall have become final shall constitute a reasonable ground for the cancellation of a certificate of self-insurance.

(d) Entities applying to, or previously authorized to, permissibly self-insure are subject to the jurisdiction of the department of business regulation. The department of business regulation is authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section including, but not limited to:

(1) Obtaining and reviewing financial statements and related information necessary to ascertain the applicant’s ability to self-insure.

(2) Apportioning the cost of review to the applicant in a manner similar to that utilized to charge insurance companies for review and analysis of their financial statements.

(3) Imposing and enforcing upon entities authorized to permissibly self-insure any and all claims handling and settlement practices required of insurers in the settlement of claims.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1991–2013 · leading case: Ellis v. Rhode Island Pub. Transit Auth., 586 A.2d 1055 (R.I. 1991).
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Ellis v. Rhode Island Pub. Transit Auth., 586 A.2d 1055 (R.I. 1991). · cites it 8× “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-33-9, RIPTA argued, it was exempt from the uninsured-motorist mandate of § 27-7-2.”
Tracie Peloquin, as Adm'x of the Est. of Pearl E. Archambault v. Haven Health Ctr. of Greenville, LLC, 61 A.3d 419 (R.I. 2013). · cites it 4× “1956 § 28-36-1 (requiring employers to maintain workers’ compensation insurance but permitting self-insurance); G.L.1956 § 31-33-9 (permitting self-insurance for certain motor vehicles provided that the State Division of Motor Vehicles “is satisfied that the person is possessed…”
Miles-Un-Ltd., Inc. v. Fanning, 624 A.2d 843 (R.I. 1993). · cites it 24× “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-33-9. In 1989 DOT issued Aldo’s Mopeds a self-insurance certificate pursuant to the same statutory authority.”
Rueschemeyer v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 673 A.2d 448 (R.I. 1996). · cites it 2× “” Section 31-33-9(b). In the instant case it appears that at the time of the accident the city of Providence did hold a valid certificate of self-insurance.”
Ryan v. Knoller, 695 A.2d 990 (R.I. 1997). · cites it 2× “A certificate of self-insurance issued pursuant to G.L.1956 § 31-33-9 is not sufficient to satisfy the requirements of § 31-34-1.”
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-33-9(b): 2 cases
Ellis v. Rhode Island Pub. Transit Auth., 586 A.2d 1055 (R.I. 1991). “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-33-9, RIPTA argued, it was exempt from the uninsured-motorist mandate of § 27-7-2.”
Rueschemeyer v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 673 A.2d 448 (R.I. 1996). “” Section 31-33-9(b). In the instant case it appears that at the time of the accident the city of Providence did hold a valid certificate of self-insurance.”
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