Married couples can save up to 53% on their car insurance premiums

Written by Katie Dee

Published on 2023-11-10

New research conducted by Rate Retriever shows that couples who combine car insurance policies after marriage can save up to $1,939 – or 53% – on average on their annual premium vs the cost of two separate policies.

This number will vary significantly depending on several factors, including the state you live in, the number of vehicles you are insuring, and the insurance company you and your partner choose.

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Why do married couples pay less for car insurance?

Whether you are married or not, the amount you will pay for your car insurance premium is based on multiple different factors. These include your location, age, credit score, and more. Car insurance companies will always consider the amount of risk associated with covering a certain driver or car before determining insurance rates.

One of the main reasons why combining car insurance after marriage can save you money is because insurance companies tend to view married couples as being more financially stable, therefore they are seen as a safer choice for insurers. Because of this, some insurance companies even offer discounts for married drivers. Be sure to check with your car insurance company to be sure you are not missing out on these savings.

Furthermore, married couples have been shown to be more averse to risk, meaning that there is a smaller chance of them being involved in an accident compared to their unmarried counterparts.

Differences in car insurance prices for married couples

According to Rate Retriever’s Auto Insurance Rates Quarterly Update, married couples with a joint policy and two vehicles pay an average of $2,797 per year for their car insurance. This is 23% less than married couples with two separate policies who pay an average of $3,645 per year.

Married couples who have a combined policy and just one vehicle pay even less. On average, they save 53% on their car insurance premiums when compared to married drivers who have their own policies.

Remember, these numbers represent the average for these situations, but your exact rates will vary depending on the insurance company you choose, the amount of coverage you are looking for, and your personal details.

Take our quick quiz to compare personalized rates from car insurance providers in your area so you can find the cheapest option for you.

When not to combine car insurance after marriage

While it is generally a smart financial decision to combine car insurance after marriage, there are some instances where this might not be the best option.

Since car insurances rates are heavily based on the amount of risk associated with the policy owner, if one partner has a poor driving record while the other does not, keeping policies separate might be a smarter choice.

Car insurance companies may assign higher rates to married couples if one of the drivers is riskier to cover, resulting in higher rates for both the high and low-risk partner.

Additionally, both partners’ credit score will play a part in determining rates in most states. California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts are currently the only states in the U.S. where credit scores are not considered in car insurance pricing.

If you or your partner has a poor credit score and you combine your policy, it can negatively impact your car insurance rates, resulting in higher premiums for both of you.

Car insurance rates will look different for everybody, so be sure to consider these factors before deciding to combine car insurance after marriage.

States with the best car insurance deals for married couples

Because car insurance companies submit different rating plans to each state’s department of insurance, the amount of savings available to married drivers will vary from state-to-state.

Based on Rate Retriever’s report, the state that currently has the highest percentage of savings for married couples is Nevada, where couples who share a car and have a combined policy pay 57% less on average than married drivers with separate policies. This represents a savings of $2,455 on car insurance premiums.

Married drivers in Tennessee and Missouri also experience above average savings for combining their car insurance policies. Couples with a combined policy and a shared vehicle in these states are saving an average of 56% on their annual car insurance premiums.

Lastly, Kentucky, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington offer savings of up to 55% for married drivers who combine their car insurance policies.

Visit the website to read the full report and see what kind of savings are available for you.

Frequently asked

How does the insurance company determine my rate?

Car insurance companies determine how much they charge you based on your driver profile. Factors that can impact your rates include:

Demographics – your age, home ownership, credit score, and more
Your driving history – how long you’ve been driving, traffic violations, and more
Your car – make, model, and year
Where you live – state and zip code
How much coverage you want

How do I switch my car insurance?

Switching your car insurance is easy, even if you are in the middle of your current policy.

Here are some helpful tips to consider to switch your car insurance:

Decide what coverage you want with your next policy
Check if your current provider charges cancellation penalties or fees
Compare prices from at least 3-5 insurance companies (Rate Retriever makes this easy, giving you personalized rates from the top companies near you)
Get a final quote from at least one of your choices
Cancel your current policy once your new one begins

How much car insurance do I need?

The answer to this question depends on where you live and what you would like to cover.

Each state has its own minimum requirements on the type and amount of insurance needed. When you’re trying to determine what and how much car insurance you need, you can start by reviewing your state’s requirements.

Find out what’s required in your state

Once you review your state’s minimum requirements, you may find that you want additional coverage. For example, sometimes owners of new cars want comprehensive coverage to insure their car from natural disasters and vandalism, even though comprehensive coverage isn’t required by their state. To figure out what insurance you want, you can review the different types of insurance to decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

Learn about the different types of car insurance

How is Rate Retriever different than other insurance websites?

The biggest difference between Rate Retriever and other comparison sites is that we are a free and impartial research tool NOT an insurance marketplace. This means you can’t purchase a policy directly through RateRetriever.com, but you can use our tool to independently research your options and seamlessly connect with the provider you choose.

Unlike other insurance comparison sites, we:

Use third-party data to give you more accurate rate estimates instead of inaccurate, suspiciously low quotes to get you in the door
Do not limit your list of results to paid advertisers
Do not collect your email or phone number before we let you see your results
Give you results after just five questions (however, your results will be more accurate if you complete your profile)

We like to think that Rate Retriever is your insurance companion, not just another insurance comparison site. Our values guide everything we do, which is why we strive to offer transparent, trustworthy insurance tools.

How can I get cheaper car insurance?

There are many ways you can try to get cheaper car insurance. The first is simply to get quotes from multiple providers. This will help you determine if you’re currently receiving the cheapest rates based on your needs and driver profile. Rate Retriever makes the comparison process easy.

Sometimes, the reason your car insurance is so expensive is due to your driver profile. For example, drivers under 20 years old usually pay more for insurance than more experienced drivers, and drivers with a recent at-fault accident or traffic violation typically pay more.

There are ways to lower the cost of your insurance such as taking a defensive driving course. Check with your provider to see if there are any discounts you qualify for or can reasonably earn.

How does Rate Retriever make money?

Rate Retriever works with national and local insurance providers to provide our users with a seamless insurance shopping experience. We may earn a commission from our insurance provider partners when you click on a link, call, or purchase a policy from one of the providers listed on our site. That said, we’re committed to providing you with accurate, bias-free information, and we do not allow our partnerships to limit the results or influence the information we share with you.

We do not sell your personal information, charge you for using our tools, or sell you insurance policies. Additionally, should you choose to purchase a policy from one of our partners, the price you pay will not be adversely affected.

Read our full earnings disclosure