Car Insurance for Women: Do Women Really Pay Less?

The usual line is that women pay less for car insurance than men. Across all ages that is still true, but only just, and for much of adult life it isn't true at all. Here is what the current numbers show, where the law takes gender out of pricing completely, and what actually moves a woman's premium.

What women and men pay, by age

Across all age groups, women paid an average of $2,231 a year and men $2,288 (Experian, 2026): a difference of about $57 a year. Broken down by age, the picture is more mixed:

Age	Women, average per year	Men, average per year
Under 20	$3,224	$3,414
20–29	$2,730	$2,816
30–39	$2,405	$2,302
40–49	$2,263	$2,172
50–59	$2,031	$1,989
60–69	$1,807	$1,800
70–79	$1,792	$1,869
80 and over	$1,764	$1,978

Source: Experian, “Average Cost of Car Insurance,” published September 9, 2026 (policies and quotes through its marketplace, 12 months to August 2026, all coverage levels). National average: $2,262 a year.

Young women pay noticeably less than young men, and the gap reappears after 70. But between 30 and 69, women in this data paid about the same as men or slightly more. The reason for the difference among young drivers is claims experience: about three in four teenagers killed in crashes in 2024 were male (IIHS, Fatality Facts 2024: Teenagers), and insurers price that risk in.

States where gender can't be used

Six states prohibit insurers from using gender to set car insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Montana repealed its own ban in 2021 (AgentSync, 2026). If you live in one of the six, a man and a woman with the same profile are rated the same.

What matters more than gender

• Driving record. A single at-fault accident or speeding ticket usually costs far more than the gender difference, and a DUI costs far more again.
• Where you live. Premiums vary widely between states and between ZIP codes in the same city.
• The car. Repair costs, theft rates and safety ratings vary by model.
• Mileage. Drivers who cover fewer miles can often get a low-mileage discount or a usage-based policy. See pay-as-you-drive insurance.
• Credit-based insurance score, in states that allow it.
• Marital status. Many insurers rate married drivers lower.

Ways to pay less

• Compare quotes from several insurers for the same coverage. Price differences between companies are usually larger than any gender effect.
• Review your policy after life changes: marriage, divorce, a move, a new job with a shorter commute, or a teenager joining the policy.
• After a divorce or separation, get your own policy in place before coming off a joint one, so there is no gap in coverage history. A lapse raises future premiums.
• Ask for every discount you qualify for: multi-policy, good driver, safety features, paid in full, affiliation or employer programs.
• Match deductibles to your savings, and drop collision and comprehensive on an older car once they cost more than they could realistically pay out.

To see what you would pay at your own address, get quotes here.

Reyess editorial team. Last updated September 2026. Averages only; your own quote depends on your record, car, ZIP code and insurer.

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