Male vs. Female Car Insurance Rates

Who pays more for car insurance: men or women?

For drivers in most age brackets, male and female car insurance rates are similar: on average, women pay $1,480 per annual policy, while men pay $1,470.

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.  

Car insurance premiums for young male and female drivers (under age 25)

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.

Car insurance premiums by gender — older drivers

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.

The above data represents the nationwide average. Currently, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, California, Michigan 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.

How to save on insurance, no matter your gender

Saving money on car insurance is a must. Let’s outline some basic ways to save on your car insurance premiums.

File claims wisely

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.

Sometimes it makes sense to file a claim. Here’s how to tell:

• Get an estimate at a local repair shop.
• See our State of Insurance analysis and see how much an at-fault accident raises rates in your state. Remember: consider that figure over a three-year period.
• Compare the premium increase plus your deductible to the out-of-pocket expenses. If it is cheaper to file a claim, go for it.

Learn more about when to file a car insurance claim.

Consider telematics/UBI insurance companies

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:

• Your braking habits
• Time of day driven
• Acceleration speeds

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.

For more information, see our full guide to telematics.

Be smart with your coverage

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.

Look for discounts

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:

• Multi-policy discount
• Good driver discount
• Paperless discount
• Payment by bank account
• Paid in full discount (paying your premium in one payment)
• Multi-vehicle discount

Learn more about popular discounts you can get on car insurance.

Compare insurance quotes

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.