How gender affects car insurance cost

There are dozens of different factors that can affect the cost of car insurance, like your age, location, credit score, claim history, and vehicle type. And in most states, car insurance companies can also consider your gender when calculating auto insurance premiums.

If you’re in the market for car insurance, you might be wondering why gender can affect car insurance rates, and how much car insurance costs for males vs. females. In this guide, we’ll look at average car insurance rates by gender and share which gender pays more for car insurance.

Does gender affect car insurance?

Yes, your gender can impact the cost of your car insurance policy. In almost every state, car insurance companies are allowed to consider a driver’s gender to determine how much risk they will pose to the insurer.

In general, male drivers pay slightly higher rates for car insurance than females. That is because male drivers are statistically more likely to drive under the influence and get into serious accidents than females. When insuring male drivers, insurance companies assume more financial risk, which is why rates are often higher for men.

However, the rate difference between male and female drivers depends on many other rating factors besides gender. Your location, driving record, and claim history are just some of the additional criteria that will impact car insurance rates, and different companies will charge different rates for the same policy so the company you choose will also impact the price you pay.

Average car insurance rates by gender

According to our database of insurance rates, the average auto insurance premium for males is $1,824 per year and the average auto insurance premium for females is $1,821 per year for a full coverage policy. That is a difference of just $3 per year.

However, the actual cost of car insurance for males vs. females will also depend on the state you live in. For example, we found that female drivers in Alaska pay 3% less than males, but in Utah, female drivers pay 5% more than males. While in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, your gender will not impact car insurance at all.

Additionally, your driving record and credit score can have a big impact on the cost of auto insurance. A male driver with excellent credit might pay less than a female driver with poor credit, for example. Similarly, a male driver with no accidents or violations on their record might have a lower premium than a female with multiple traffic violations on her record.

Because the cost of car insurance can depend on many factors, including your gender, it’s a good idea to get rate quotes from several insurance companies. Comparing rates will help you find the cheapest policy for your personal driver profile.

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Why does gender impact car insurance?

Gender can impact the cost of car insurance because statistically, males are riskier to insure than females. Historical data shows that men are more likely to drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and get into more serious collisions than women. To compensate for the increased risk of insuring male drivers, car insurance companies often charge men higher rates.

However, that doesn’t mean that male drivers pay significantly higher rates than females. Based on our analysis of average rate data, male drivers pay just $3 more per year for car insurance, on average, than women with the same driver profile.

What states prohibit use of gender in car insurance rates

In some states, car insurance companies are not allowed to use gender as a rating factor. The states that prohibit car insurance companies from using gender to determine car insurance premiums are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. If you live in one of these states, your gender cannot be used to calculate your car insurance premium.

Frequently asked

Why do insurance companies ask for gender?

Insurance companies use your gender to determine the amount of risk you pose as an insured driver. Because males are more likely to be involved in serious accidents, insurance companies usually charge slightly higher rates for males and lower rates for females. However, other rating factors have a bigger impact on car insurance costs. For example, your credit score, driving record, and claim history usually have a more significant impact on rates than gender.

Can car insurance companies discriminate based on gender?

Car insurance companies can legally use your gender as a rating factor in almost every state. However, gender is used as a legitimate predictor of risk, not as a means of discrimination. Because male drivers are statistically more likely to drive under the influence, for example, insurers often charge slightly more for coverage. There are dozens of other rating factors, like location, credit score, vehicle type, and driving history, that will also impact a male’s car insurance rate, so gender is only one small factor.