R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-11
Any insurance carrier making any payment to the owner, his or her representative, or assignee as compensation for the repair of damage to the vehicle after the mailing of the notice without paying to the repairer the amount of his or her lien or so much thereof as can be satisfied out of the money due under any final judgment or compromise or settlement agreement after paying the amount of any prior liens, shall, for a period of one year from the date of payment to the owner, his or her representative, or assignee, be and remain liable to the repairer for the amount which the repairer was entitled to receive; and any such repairer may, within such period, enforce his or her lien by a suit at law against the insurance carrier making the payment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-3-11