Car insurance for men
On average, men pay less for car insurance than do women — by 0.4%. The key distinction: young male drivers pay more than their female counterparts.
Below we detail the reasons behind gender-specific insurance pricing discrepancies and ways men can save money on auto insurance.
Key Takeaways
- Male drivers ages 16 through 19 typically pay higher rates than female teenage drivers, but the gap lessens as drivers age
- Check for discounts you may be eligible for, such as military, multi-car, or bundling home and auto coverage
- Consider if you need both comprehensive and collision coverage for your individual situation and vehicle
- Drive safely, and only make a claim when necessary to help keep rates affordable
Why do car insurance rates depend on gender?
Car insurance pricing comes down to determining risk by assessing a variety of rating factors. Some factors — like driving record and credit score — influence auto insurance rates substantially. Others, such as gender, lead only to meaningful differences in insurance rates for young drivers. As you can see from the table below that outlines the average rates for teen drivers, young male drivers pay $50 per month more than female drivers.
| Gender | Avg. Monthly Premium | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Male | $445 | $5,340 |
| Female | $395 | $4,738 |
The typical gap in insurance rates paid by a young male driver and a young female driver adds up to about $600 per year. Car insurance companies see young male drivers as more likely to exhibit riskier driving habits behind the wheel, increasing their rates accordingly.
As drivers get older, the price discrepancy between car insurance for men and women shrinks. Between the ages of 20 and 24, male drivers pay approximately 10% more than their female counterparts. While men over the age of 30 enjoy relatively affordable car insurance rates, male drivers in their 20s or younger are still considered relatively risky by insurance companies.
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
How to find cheap car insurance for men
As a whole, men do pay less for car insurance on average, but the difference is small. The best way to find cheap auto insurance for men is to compare quotes from as many companies as possible. Using a sample driver profile (methodology), The Zebra has done some of the legwork for you.
Cheap car insurance for male drivers — by company
Below are estimated auto insurance premiums for male drivers from several different companies. USAA ranks as the most affordable at $1,365 annually, but as it is only available to military and their family members, Nationwide is another affordable option with an average rate of $1,476 per year. Consider this information as a starting point, and use it to begin — but not end — your search for insurance. Every company will assess your individual rating factors differently. Additionally, it's important to consider the customer satisfaction ratings of each car insurer.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,365 |
| Nationwide | $1,476 |
| GEICO | $1,542 |
| State Farm | $1,569 |
| Farmers | $1,786 |
| Progressive | $1,888 |
| Allstate | $2,414 |
How can I save money on auto insurance as a male driver?
Even though the difference in rates between male and female drivers becomes less significant with age, it's still a good idea to look at different ways to save. Let's explore a few of the common discounts that you may be eligible for as a male driver.
Consider auto insurance discounts
Multi-policy: This discount refers to having two types of insurance policies under one insurance company. Common policies are home/auto or renters/auto. The discounts affect both your policies, typically. Here are the typical amounts of discount you can receive when you bundle a homeowner's, renter's, or condo owner's policy with your auto policy.
| Homeowner Status | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Home Owner With Multi-Policy | $1,562 |
| Condo Owner With Multi-Policy | $1,592 |
| Renter With Multi-Policy | $1,677 |
Defensive Driver Discount: This discount entails taking an actual defensive driving course and then presenting your insurance company with proof (sometimes a receipt or transcript) of it. The logic behind this discount is clear - a safer driver makes you a cheaper client because you’re less likely to have a claim. Prior to taking the course, however, make sure your company accepts this discount.
Equipment Discount: If your car comes with anti-theft devices or if you have services like LoJack, your insurance company usually provides you with a discount. The discount tends to be smaller than a multi-policy or defensive driver discount, but can still help with making premium payments.
| Safety/Anti-Theft Device | Avg Annual Premium | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| None | $1,323 | |
| Passive Disabling Device | $1,312 | $10 |
| Tracking Device | $1,314 | $9 |
| Audible Alarm | $1,317 | $6 |
| Electronic Stability Control | $1,318 | $5 |
Good Driver Discount: This discount is available if you have a clean driving record, free of accidents or citations. This is typically a higher-value discount, oftentimes automatically added to your policy when your Motor Vehicle Report is pulled at the inception of your policy. Still, if you are sure you have a clean driving record and are not receiving a discount, speak with your insurance company and ask if they offer a discount for good drivers. In addition to the added bonus of this discount, you stand to benefit by not having your premium raised due to a claim or citation.
Military Discount: Many companies offer discounts for active or former military members and their families. The amount and qualifications differ per company so speak with your company to see if this discount is offered!
Multi-car discount: Like a multi-policy discount, a multi-car discount refers to having more than one car with a single insurance company. Typically, the discount is automatically added either at the policy inception (if two cars were originally added) or when you add the second vehicle to the policy.
Profession Discount: This discount goes by many names but the idea is the same. Some insurance companies will give you a discount based on your occupation. Statistically, some occupations like teachers, physicians, or police officers are less likely to file a claim. Because of this, some insurance companies return the savings back to you. Usually, they will require you to submit some type of proof of your profession - a photocopy of your degree is common.
Learn more about these in our guide: Affinity Membership Discount for Car Insurance.
Good Student Discount: If you or your children have good grades, typically above a 3.0 GPA, speak with your insurance company about a good student discount. Normally, they’ll ask for a transcript every policy period (6-12 months) as proof.
For more information, check out our article regarding student discounts here.
Many companies offer military discounts, discounts for driving safely, and even a good student discount for drivers in school.
Preferred Payment Discount: This discount refers to the manner in which you make your insurance payments and has tiers, typically. For example, if you pay your entire premium upfront, you are often given a discount which is usually the highest preferred payment discount. Moreover, if you set up automatic payments from a bank account, you can often receive an “EFT discount.” If you are able to pay upfront or through automatic payments, this is a discount worth considering. The amounts of these discounts are featured below.
Choose the right coverage, and only use it when necessary
If your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you don't need both comprehensive and collision coverage. Typically, the amount of premium you pay for this coverage isn’t worth the payout you would receive if your vehicle was totaled. You can determine the value of your vehicle by using online tools like NADA and Kelley Blue Book.
If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000, consider raising your deductible. By raising your deductible, you lower your premium.
Most companies will apply a surcharge to your policy if you use your coverage, so consider this when preparing to make a claim. While it can vary, the surcharge can remain on your premium for 3-5 years. Below are some average premium increases after an accident or violation.
| Accident/Violation | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Speeding 16 - 20 MPH over limit | $2,190 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $2,605 |
| Reckless driving | $3,187 |
| Racing | $3,291 |
| DUI | $3,441 |
If you’re unsure of whether or not to file a claim, see our State of Insurance analysis and determine how much an at-fault accident would raise rates in your state. Consider the premium increase over three years and your deductible (as you would have to pay it in the event of a claim). For example, if your premium increased by $309 during the first six months, a three-year surcharge would equate to a total of $1,851. If you have a deductible of $500, the total claim would cost you $2,351. This means that if you wanted to file a claim, the value of damage should be greater than $2,351. You can determine the value of damage by getting an estimate from a local mechanic.
The best way for men to find the cheapest car insurance company is simply to look. Enter your ZIP code below to see quotes from local and national companies for your driving profile.
Compare rates and save!
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.