Which Gender Pays More for Auto Insurance?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Car insurance rates depend on a wide variety of factors. To set your premium, insurers look at your overall profile (vehicle, driving record, location, coverage choices, and more) to determine how much of a risk you are. In many states, the gender marker on your application or driver’s license can be one small piece of that puzzle—so it’s normal to wonder whether men or women pay more for car insurance.

The key takeaway: gender usually has a modest impact for most adult drivers, but it can matter more for teens and newly licensed drivers. State laws also play a big role, because auto insurance pricing rules vary widely across the U.S.

Gender Usually Has a Small Impact for Adults: For most drivers over 25, men and women often pay very similar rates, and other factors (like driving record and ZIP code) matter far more.
Teens See the Biggest Differences: The gender gap is typically largest for teen and newly licensed drivers, where pricing is heavily influenced by inexperience and crash severity trends.
Some States Ban Gender-Based Pricing: A handful of states restrict insurers from using gender/sex as a rating factor, so your location can determine whether it affects your quote.
Best Savings Come from Shopping and Discounts: Comparing carriers, adjusting deductibles, and stacking discounts (including telematics and pay-per-mile) usually saves more than any gender-based difference.

Table Of Contents

Does Gender Affect Car Insurance Rates?
Who Pays More: Men or Women?
Why Young Men Often Pay More Than Young Women
States Where Gender Can’t Be Used to Price Auto Insurance
Does Gender Matter If You’re Nonbinary or Transgender?
How to Lower Your Car Insurance Premium Regardless of Gender
FAQs About Gender and Car Insurance Rates
Bottom Line

Does Gender Affect Car Insurance Rates?

In most states, insurers can use gender (or “sex” as it’s listed in many state laws) as a rating factor. However, it’s rarely a make-or-break variable by itself. Your premium is usually driven more by things you can’t control (like where you live) and things you can control (like your driving history, vehicle choice, and how you structure your coverage).

Even when gender is allowed, the “gap” between otherwise identical drivers is typically small compared to the price impact of a DUI, an at-fault accident, a lapse in coverage, or choosing higher limits and lower deductibles.

Location And Weather Often Matter More Than Gender

Two drivers with the same age, gender, and vehicle can pay very different prices just because they live in different states—or even different ZIP codes. Claim frequency, theft rates, repair costs, litigation trends, and weather all influence rates. And while weather is out of your control, safer habits (especially in winter conditions) can help you avoid tickets and accidents that raise your premium. If you drive in snow or ice, review these winter safe driving tips to reduce risk.

Who Pays More: Men or Women?

For most adult drivers, the difference between men and women is usually only a few dollars per month (and sometimes it’s effectively a wash). Depending on the state, insurer, and age group, either gender can come out slightly higher.

Recent quote-based studies often find that men pay more than women in many states, but there are still places where women come out higher—or where the difference is nearly zero. You can see how results vary by state in research like The Zebra’s breakdown of auto insurance differences for men vs. women.

Why the inconsistency? Insurers are pricing risk and expected claim costs, and those patterns aren’t identical across states or age groups. In some ranges, women may have slightly higher average claim costs (including higher injury risk in certain crash scenarios), while in other ranges, men may have higher accident severity or more high-risk driving behaviors.

Why Young Men Often Pay More Than Young Women

The gender pricing gap tends to be largest for teen drivers and newly licensed drivers. Statistically, young men are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors like speeding and impaired driving, and crashes involving male drivers are often more severe. For example, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes that men typically drive more miles than women and are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors like speeding, not wearing seat belts, and driving while impaired—factors that increase crash severity and losses over time.

If you’re shopping as a student or a new driver, start with guides geared toward your age group, because carrier differences can be huge:

Young adults: cheapest car insurance for young drivers
Teens on a family policy (or their own): cheapest car insurance for teens

The good news is that rates typically improve with more experience behind the wheel and a clean record. If you’re curious what pricing can look like as you approach your mid-20s, here’s a closer look at how much car insurance costs for 24-year-olds.

States Where Gender Can’t Be Used to Price Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is regulated at the state level. A small number of states prohibit insurers from using gender (or sex) when setting rates for private passenger auto insurance. As of early 2026, the states most commonly cited for banning gender-based auto rating include:

California
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Michigan
North Carolina
Pennsylvania

If you want to verify the rule directly, here are helpful references: California’s Department of Insurance announced the change banning gender as a rating factor (California DOI), Hawaii law prohibits rating plans based on sex (Hawaii HRS § 431:10C-207), Massachusetts prohibits using sex as a rating factor (Mass.gov), Michigan’s 2019 reforms restricted non-driving factors including gender (Michigan.gov), North Carolina prohibits rating plans based on age or sex (NCGS § 58-3-25), and Pennsylvania’s insurance department has long required automobile rates that eliminate gender classifications (Pennsylvania Bulletin).

Note: Insurance laws can change. For example, Montana previously had a broad ban but changed its law in 2021 for many policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2022 (Montana HB 379). If you’re ever unsure, your state Department of Insurance is the best source.

Does Gender Matter If You’re Nonbinary or Transgender?

It can, depending on where you live and how the insurer collects information. Some insurers only offer “male/female” choices on applications, while others may use the sex marker tied to your driver’s license. In states that ban gender-based rating, your gender marker generally shouldn’t affect your premium (all else equal). In states where it’s allowed, it might change your quote—though factors like driving history and location usually matter much more.

If your documents or policy details don’t match (for example, after a legal name change), contact your insurer to update your information. The goal is accuracy and smooth claims handling—not just the lowest possible quote.

How to Lower Your Car Insurance Premium Regardless of Gender

No matter what your application lists, these strategies tend to have the biggest payoff:

Shop around (seriously): Prices vary dramatically by company. If you want help comparing multiple carriers at once, consider going through an independent insurance agent.
Adjust your deductible: If you can afford a higher out-of-pocket cost in a claim, raising your deductible can lower your premium.
Use telematics if it fits your driving: Many insurers offer discounts for enrolling in a safe-driving app or device. See how telematics programs work and what they typically track.
Stack discounts: Ask your insurer about discounts for safe driving, good students, bundling, paperless billing, multi-car, and more. Start here: best auto insurance discounts.
Consider pay-per-mile or usage-based options: If you drive infrequently, mileage-based car insurance can be a strong fit.
Review household status and bundling: Depending on the carrier and state, marital status can influence rates, and many carriers also offer meaningful savings if you qualify for homeowners discounts.

FAQs About Gender and Car Insurance Rates

Do men or women pay more for car insurance?

It depends on your state, age, insurer, and driving profile. For most adult drivers, the difference is usually small. The biggest pricing gaps by gender tend to show up for teen and newly licensed drivers.

Why are teen boys often quoted higher rates than teen girls?

New drivers are expensive to insure because they have less experience. In many datasets, teen boys are associated with higher-risk driving behaviors and more severe crashes, which can increase the expected cost of claims—so insurers often charge more.

Which states don’t allow insurers to use gender for auto insurance pricing?

A small number of states restrict or prohibit gender-based rating for private passenger auto insurance. As of early 2026, commonly cited states include California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Rules can change, so confirm with your state’s Department of Insurance.

Can my premium change if my gender marker changes on my driver’s license?

Possibly—but only in states where gender-based rating is allowed and if the insurer uses that information as a rating factor. In states that prohibit gender-based pricing, it generally shouldn’t affect your premium (all else equal).

Do nonbinary drivers get different car insurance rates?

It depends on the insurer and the state. Some companies only list “male/female” options, while others may rate based on the sex marker on your license. If you’re unsure how a carrier handles this, ask before purchasing so your policy details are accurate.

Does marital status affect car insurance rates more than gender?

In some cases, yes. Many insurers consider marital status when it’s allowed by state law, and the price difference can be larger than the typical adult gender gap. The impact varies by company and state, so it’s worth comparing quotes.

What’s the fastest way to lower my car insurance rate?

Shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers, then look for big-impact levers like higher deductibles, bundling policies, qualifying for discounts, and (if it fits your driving habits) enrolling in a telematics or pay-per-mile program.

Bottom Line

So, which gender pays more for car insurance? It depends. For most adult drivers, the difference is usually small. The biggest gaps tend to show up for teenagers and newly licensed drivers, and state rules can eliminate gender pricing entirely in certain places. The most reliable way to save is to compare quotes, keep a clean record, and structure your coverage (and deductibles) to match your budget.

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