Car Insurance and Gender
Although male drivers as a whole do tend to pay more for auto insurance than female drivers, the difference is not as pronounced as you might think. The disparity between the auto insurance rates of men and women is most prominent between the ages of 16 and 25. Men in this age group typically pay premiums that are anywhere from 10-20 percent higher than those of their female counterparts. After the age of 25, however, the gender gap in premiums diminishes significantly. Risk accounts for the difference in rates, as we will explain in detail below.
The Gender Gap: Risk and Premiums
The car insurance rates you pay for coverage are entirely determined by the amount of risk you and your vehicle represent to your carrier. The more statistically likely drivers with your demographics are to have an accident, the higher your auto insurance premiums will be. For this reason, male drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 pay the highest rates of any demographic group. Not surprisingly, they also have the highest accident and fatality rate of any group. On the whole, men tend to represent a higher accident risk than women, which is why male drivers pay roughly ten percent more for coverage. A few reasons why men are higher accident risks are included below.
- Men are 77 percent more likely to die in a traffic accident than women
- Men as a group drive more miles per year than women
- Men are 50 percent more likely than women to have a drunk-driving violation on their driving record
- Men are 10 percent more likely than women to have a moving violation on their record
- The vehicles men drive are worth about 10 percent more on average than the cars women drive
- Men are more likely to speed and drive without wearing a seatbelt than women
Driving Habits and Coverage Needs
Men and women generally have markedly different driving habits and also somewhat disparate coverage needs. Men drive more often than women, and they also tend to drive more valuable vehicles—both factors that increase car insurance premiums. Additionally, male drivers are more likely to insure multiple drivers and/or multiple vehicles on the same policy, which can also drive up costs. Finally, women are more likely than men to be transporting children when they drive, which may partially account for why men generally engage in riskier driving behavior than women.
Finding the Best Rates for Male and Female Drivers
The strategy for finding the most affordable car insurance premiums is the same regardless of your gender. Male or female, you will save the most on auto insurance if you shop around and compare rates and coverage. To see the lowest rates available for your gender, simply input your information into the field on this page. Once we have some basic information about you and your car, we will show you up to five of the most competitive auto insurance quotes available. The quotes are free to view and come with no obligation to buy, so request your offer today.