Who pays more for auto insurance, men or women? Let's compare car insurance rates by gender.
For drivers in most age brackets, male and female car insurance rates are similar: on average, women pay $740 per six-month policy, while men pay $735.
For young drivers, however, gender and car insurance tell a different story. Men younger than 20 pay an average of 14% more per year for car insurance than do women in the same age bracket (methodology here).
In this guide, The Zebra's licensed car insurance experts explore the reasons for this discrepancy and review some easy ways to save on your next policy.
No matter their gender, young drivers pay high car insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider young drivers more likely to take risks, drive recklessly, and file claims. These tendencies make young drivers more expensive insurance clients. As drivers age, their auto insurance rates typically drop accordingly.
The average teenage male driver pays approximately 14% more for car insurance than does a teen female driver, reflecting the risk exhibited by young male drivers.
Between the ages of 20 and 24, male drivers pay 8% more than do their female counterparts.
After a driver's 25th birthday, the differences between men's and women’s car insurance premiums amount to no more than a rounding error. On average, women pay 1% less than do men once they reach the age of 25.
Data used by auto insurers show women and men present similar amounts of risk at most ages.
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The above data represents the nationwide average. Currently, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California, and Montana do not use gender as a rating factor for car insurance premiums.
Although men paid more in 2019, data from 2018 showed women paid marginally higher premiums. For drivers older than 25, the difference between car insurance premiums for men and women is largely insignificant until drivers reach the age of 60. Beyond that, rates for male drivers tend to be somewhat more expensive.
Saving money on car insurance is a must. Let’s outline some basic ways to save on your car insurance premiums.
If you’re involved in an at-fault accident and are considering a collision claim, think about the numbers. On average, an at-fault accident will lift your insurance premiums by 42%. Most insurance claims and violations will stay on your record for three years, meaning you'll be on the hook for higher rates for three years.
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Sometimes it makes sense to file a claim. Here’s how to tell:
Learn more about when to file a car insurance claim.
Telematics are in-car devices that monitor the way you drive in order to better price your premium. Rather than using things that are indirectly related to your premium, such as gender, credit score or driving history, telematics-based insurance policies are priced based on the following driving habits:
In theory, if you're a safer driver you can save on your premiums. Below are some of the top insurance companies' advertised telematics discounts.
Program |
Estimated Savings |
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Average of $130 |
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Average of 10-25% |
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Up to 15% |
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Varies |
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Up to 40% |
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Varies |
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Varies |
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Average of 5-30% |
Varies |
For more information, see our full guide to telematics.
Vehicles have an unfortunate habit of depreciating quickly. What that means for your car insurance is that the collision and comprehensive coverage you had on your 2009 Civic might not be necessary today. As a general rule, if your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you no longer need this optional coverage.
If your vehicle is worth more than $4,000 but you're looking for ways to save, consider raising your deductibles. By raising your deductible, you can lower your premium.
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While the below discounts are small, they add up. Contact your current car insurance company to assess your eligibility for the following discounts and programs:
Learn more about popular discounts you can get on car insurance.
At the end of the day, adding up discounts can only do so much. Sometimes you’re paying too much for car insurance because you’re with the wrong company. The best way to find cheap car insurance could be shopping around and comparing quotes from multiple carriers.
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.