Why are auto insurance rates higher for males?

Statistically speaking, more male drivers under the age of 25 are involved in auto accidents than women. Younger men can expect to pay 10 percent more than women. The best way to find auto insurance is to compare policies online.

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Maria Hanson

Insurance and Finance Writer

Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability.  Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life...

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Maria Hanson
Daniel Walker

Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...

Reviewed by
Daniel Walker

Updated December 2024

Like it or not, men pay more on average for auto insurance than women do. Why do males pay more for car insurance? The main reason for this is the differences that surround male vs female driving statistics.

Statistically speaking, more male drivers under the age of 25 are involved in auto accidents than female drivers. This is the leading reason why insurance is higher for males.

Regardless of how you identify, find the lowest insurance for men or women today! Use our FREE online tool above to get started!

Things to Remember...

  • Male drivers under 25 are charged for insurance at a higher rate because they’re involved in more auto accidents
  • Auto accidents double for men when you look at men ages 25 and under and women ages 25 and under
  • DUI statistics also show that men in this age range are more likely to drink and drive, and those who do are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes

Average Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender

Age and gender can significantly impact the how much you pay for car insurance. Young, male drivers pay more in insurance premiums than female drivers. Moreover, for young males, particularly those in their early twenties, insurance premiums can be notably higher compared to other age groups.

For example, the average car insurance cost for a 21-year-old male is $240 per month while female drivers pay $216 per month. Similarly, the average car insurance for a 20-year-old male is $300 per month for full coverage car insurance. 20-year-old female drivers pay around $265 per month. In addition, the average car insurance for a 25-year-old male is $206 per month for full coverage.

Car insurance rates in your mid-twenties are more likely to get down. For example, car insurance for a 29-year-old male driver averages $146 per month.

As you can see, the average car insurance rates vary by gender due to the higher statistical risk of accidents. However, the average male car insurance cost may depend on the insurance company as well. USAA, Auto-Owners and Geico offer some of the cheapest car insurance for girls and boys. Overall, the best auto insurance for teens is from State Farm and Geico.

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Male vs Female Car Insurance Rates 

Male vs female car insurance statistics are often contested because some people say that there are more male than female drivers which makes the statistics higher.

Regardless of this controversy, the insurance industry uses these statistics to set their auto insurance premium amounts for young male and female drivers.

Why do young men often pay more for car insurance than young women? Auto accidents double for men when you look at men ages 25 and under and women ages 25 and under. This is due to the fact that young male drivers:

  • Tend to drive faster and are less likely to wear seat belts
  • Are more likely to participate in reckless activities than women in the same age range
  • Are also more likely to drive with an excessive amount of passengers

DUI statistics also show that men in this age range are more likely to drink and drive. In addition, young male drivers typically have higher insurance rates because they are involved in more crashes than other drivers. Drunk driving accidents are the number one cause of teenage deaths, but the statistics double for men.

Surprisingly, although men in this age category lead the way for moving violations, women in this age category lead the way for parking violations, but those are not considered high-risk violations in the insurance industry. Moving violation statistics are male-led.

How to Save on Car Insurance for Males Under 25

The discrepancy in male vs female insurance rates ends once the age of 26 is reached. At this point, men and women are on an equal level. But until that time, there are some things that you can do to help lower the monthly premium rate for a male age 16-25.

The first thing is to choose a vehicle wisely. Red vehicles, sports utility vehicles, and specialty vehicles cost more to insure no matter what age. But when a young male drives one of these types of cars, premium rates skyrocket.

Another way to reduce 25-year-old male car insurance is to take a driver’s education course. Most teen drivers can take this type of course at their high school while others can find a course offered through the local sheriff’s office or community center.

Even if you have to pay for a class it is worth receiving the discount.

Being a good student will also get you a reduced rate on car insurance for boys and girls. This is typically for students in high school who maintain a B average, but each insurance company is different.

Sometimes student discounts also apply to those who are in college as well. Check with your company about the specifics of this auto insurance discount.

All these ideas work, but the best way to reduce auto insurance rates is to be a responsible driver. Any moving violation you receive will increase your rates and in some cases cause the insurance company to drop you. This is especially true for young male drivers.

Another way to find a cheaper premium is to make sure that all of your policies are with one insurance carrier. Homeowner’s policies, multiple car policies, and in some cases even life insurance policies can all be purchased with the same company.

The Best Way to Find a Male Insurance Policy

The best way to find affordable male car insurance is to compare policies online. This saves you time. Calling around to several companies can be time-consuming. And as they say, time is money, and when you’re paying more for car insurance for men, you’ll want to save as much time as possible.

Comparing men’s car insurance rates online will allow you to receive several quotes you can compare. Once you compare rates, you can choose the policy that is best for you and your family. Car insurance for men is more expensive, but that doesn’t mean all customers fitting that description will see the highest rates.

Remember when comparing rates that the cheapest auto insurance rate is not always the best rate. If you pay a cheap price but don’t have the coverage you need, you will end up paying out of pocket when something happens to your vehicle.

Get started now. You can compare auto insurance quotes right now by entering your zip code in our FREE tool below!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is car insurance more expensive for males?

Auto insurance rates tend to be higher for males due to several statistical factors and risk assessments made by insurance companies. Some reasons include:

  • Accident statistics: Historically, males have been involved in more accidents and higher-risk driving behaviors, such as speeding or driving under the influence, compared to females.
  • Severity of accidents: Accidents involving males tend to result in higher property damage and more severe injuries, leading to increased insurance claims and costs.
  • Mileage and driving habits: Males may tend to drive more miles and spend more time on the road, increasing their exposure to potential accidents.
  • Vehicle choice: Males often choose vehicles associated with higher performance or higher theft rates, which can increase insurance premiums.
  • Age demographics: Younger male drivers, especially teenagers, are statistically more prone to accidents and risky driving behaviors, leading to higher insurance rates for this demographic.

In many jurisdictions, including the United States, it is generally legal for insurance companies to consider gender when determining insurance rates. However, some states and countries have implemented regulations that restrict or prohibit the use of gender as a rating factor. It’s important to check the specific laws and regulations of your jurisdiction to understand how gender impacts auto insurance rates.

Are there any exceptions where males may pay lower insurance rates?

So, when does car insurance get cheaper for males While males generally tend to pay higher auto insurance rates, there can be exceptions based on individual circumstances and factors such as driving record, age, vehicle type, and location.

For example, if a male driver has a clean driving history, maintains a good credit score, and drives a safe and low-risk vehicle, they may be eligible for lower insurance rates.

Can the gender-based pricing disparity be eliminated?

The gender-based pricing disparity is primarily driven by statistical data and actuarial assessments related to accident and claim frequencies. As long as the data continues to show differences in risk profiles between males and females, it is unlikely that the pricing disparity based on gender will be completely eliminated. However, it’s worth noting that insurance companies may periodically review and adjust their rating factors and methodologies based on changing trends and regulations.

Why is women’s car insurance cheaper?

So, why is female car insurance cheaper? Women’s car insurance is cheaper than men’s insurance because statistically, women tend to exhibit safer driving habits compared to men.

How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old male?

The average car insurance cost for a 16-year-old with their own policy is $760 per month.

How much is car insurance for a 23-year-old male?

The average cost of full coverage car insurance for 23-year-old drivers on their own policy is $314 per month for full coverage.

How much is car insurance for a 26-year-old male?

Car insurance rates for a 26-year-old male driver average $156 per month.

Why is insurance so expensive for young male drivers?

Statistically, young male drivers are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as speeding, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence. This increased risk of accidents and claims results in higher insurance premiums.

When does auto insurance go down for males?

Auto insurance premiums typically start to decrease for males as they age and gain more driving experience.

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