New Rhode Island law bars auto insurers from hiking rates on the widowed

A new Rhode Island law prohibits auto insurers from charging policyholders more solely because they have been widowed. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill into law on Friday. It bans insurers from treating widows or widowers any differently than married people in terms of classification or rates beginning with policies issued after Jan. 1, 2025. One of the bill's sponsors, Democratic Sen. Valarie Lawson, said the issue was brought to her attention by a constituent whose husband died and was notified her insurance would be increasing. States including Delaware and Pennsylvania also have taken steps to remove what is commonly called the widow's penalty.