Which Gender Pays More for Car Insurance?

If the notion of gender playing a role in determining car insurance rates seems sexist to you, several states would agree. While it’s no longer legal in seven states for insurance companies to rate their customers based on gender, insurers in most of the country are doing just that. In fact, women now pay less for car insurance in 38 states and more in only four states. ^[1] We’ve done some data mining of insurance quotes to show you how males and females fare in terms of premium pricing. Also, see how transgender people fit into the equation and how you can get lower rates despite your sex.

On This Page

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  In Which States Is it Illegal to Use Gender as a Factor in Determining Car Insurance Rates?

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  Male vs Female Car Insurance Rates

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  Age Affects Car Insurance Rates for Both Men and Women

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  Why Do Men Pay More for Car Insurance? Male vs Female Driving Statistics

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  Car Insurance and Transgender People

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  Save on Insurance Regardless of Gender and Age

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  Gender and Car Insurance FAQs

In Which States Is it Illegal to Use Gender as a Factor in Determining Car Insurance Rates?

If you live in one of the following states, your insurance company will not ask you about your gender or assume what your gender is. It is illegal to use gender as a factor in car insurance rates in:

• California

• Hawaii

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Montana

• North Carolina

• Pennsylvania

Male vs Female Car Insurance Rates

In 2022,  young males were involved in more than twice the accidents compared with young female drivers. This has been an ongoing trend since 1975. ^[3] However, gender alone is not the only determinant in risk. There are other factors that affect car insurance rates for both men and women more than gender, including: 

• Age

• Safety and value of the car 

• Driving history

• Claims history 

• Garaging address 

• Credit score

• Insurance company

All factors considered, across the board, women pay roughly $50 less a year.

**Pricing as per MarketWatch ^[2]

Overall, women pay less than men when it comes to car insurance, but at certain ages, there’s hardly a difference.

Age Affects Car Insurance Rates for Both Men and Women

Of course, young drivers of both sexes pay the highest rates: Their demographic has the most car accidents, and insurers need to protect their interests, knowing that young drivers are high-risk. For this reason, age is a big factor in determining car insurance premiums. So is whether or not the driver has a lapse in insurance or has never had insurance, both of which often raise rates considerably

Check out our table below to see further how age and gender work together at different stages in a driver’s life:

*Pricing was derived from rates quoted to drivers in all 50 states in the past year across 200+ insurance carriers.

Women, on average, pay less a month than their male counterparts.

Why Do Men Pay More for Car Insurance? Male vs Female Driving Statistics

Most insurance companies rate men with higher premiums because they are seen as higher-risk drivers compared with women, especially young males. This is because males drive more. Those under the age of 25 have the most accidents. They tend to speed more often and ignore seatbelt laws. DUI offenses for male drivers under the age of 25 are also the highest.

Car crashes with male drivers are usually more severe, too, so more men die in more car crashes. However, in equally severe crashes, females have a higher chance of death, often due to the type of cars they drive versus males, who tend to drive bigger cars and trucks. ^[4]

Generally speaking, males exhibit more reckless behavior behind the wheel, including swerving in and out of car lanes at high speeds. Women are often involved in much milder car crashes and in many cases are not the at-fault party. Young men file many more claims than any other group of drivers.

According to the The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 14,062 men died in car crashes in 2022, while only 5,489 women died in crashes in the same year. ^[4]

Car Insurance and Transgender People

A trans person may be asked by an insurer to list their biological gender at birth instead of the gender they identify with. Some insurers may not ask for this revision, however. In some states, there is a third option for gender.

There are few laws and little data to explain how insurers determine rates for transgender and nonbinary policyholders. Some insurance companies are simply more inclusive and won’t be as quick to increase rates for someone born male who has transitioned. ^[5]

Save on Insurance Regardless of Gender and Age

While gender and age play a big role in how you’re rated by an insurer there are other factors that you do have control over that can help you save money. Your credit score, for one thing, can be improved by paying bills on time, thereby lowering your monthly premiums. Garaging your car in a safe lot or indoor garage helps and discounts can greatly reduce your costs. See if you can nab one of these discounts:

Most insurance companies rate men with higher premiums because they are seen as higher-risk drivers compared with women, especially young males.