Car insurance for women

In most states, women pay less for car insurance than men because they statistically engage in fewer risky driving habits, including speeding and driving under the influence. But this isn't the case in all states, and some do not allow the use of gender in auto insurance rating. In most cases, the cost gap between premiums for men and women is minimal, but it can help to be aware of the rating factors in your specific state when shopping for coverage. 

Key takeaways

• The average cost of car insurance for female drivers in the U.S. is $2,451 per year for a full coverage policy, compared to $2,465 for male drivers. 
• Women often pay less for car insurance because they get into fewer serious accidents than men and generally engage in safer driving.
• In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, insurance companies are not allowed to consider a driver’s gender when calculating their car insurance premium.
• The average cost of full coverage car insurance for 25-year-old women is 21 percent more than the same level of coverage for 40-year-old women because young drivers are considered higher risk to insure. 

Car insurance for women overview

In all states except New Hampshire, both male and female vehicle owners are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance mandated by the state. While gender is a rating factor in auto insurance pricing in most states, it's generally not as heavily weighted as other factors, like your driving history, vehicle type and coverage selections. 

Six states — California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania — do not allow insurance companies to use gender as a rating factor in auto insurance rates. Male and female drivers in these states might pay close to the same amount for coverage, if all other rating factors are equal.

How much do women pay for car insurance?

The cost of car insurance for women varies based on numerous additional rating factors, such as age (except in Hawaii and Massachusetts), location, vehicle type and the coverage options chosen. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. for women is $2,451 per year, slightly lower than the national average cost for men: $2,465. 

Car insurance rates for women by carrier

In most states, car insurance companies will consider your gender when calculating your personalized premium. This is because statistically, women are less likely than men to get into accidents and drive recklessly. However, not every car insurance company charges lower rates for women, and the effect of gender on your rates will depend on the carrier you're getting quotes from. 

In the table below, you can see the average cost of full coverage and minimum coverage car insurance for women from some of the top car insurance carriers.

Car insurance rates for women by age

Age is another significant factor that contributes to car insurance rates for drivers in all states except Hawaii and Massachusetts (although insurers in Massachusetts are allowed to consider how long you've been licensed for). In general, young drivers pay much higher premiums than older drivers, but the premium gap between male and female drivers tends to narrow with age as risky driving tendencies also tend to even out between genders. 

*18-year-old rate is based on the driver having their own full coverage car insurance policy.

Female car insurance rates by state

The average cost of car insurance for women varies based on location. Factors like population density, motor vehicle thefts, uninsured drivers and weather-related risks impact car insurance rates differently in each state. Some states, like Wisconsin and Oregon, have below average rates, while others, like Florida and Louisiana, have much higher average rates.

The table below includes the average cost of car insurance for female drivers in all 50 states and Washington D.C.:

Do women pay more for car insurance than men?

You may be wondering: What gender pays more for car insurance? In part, men are usually rated higher for car insurance because they average more miles on the road than females. Based on data from 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that men average 16,550 miles per year, while women tend to drive around 10,142 per year. Annual mileage is a strong rating factor and a 13,476-annual mile contrast may cause a noticeable difference in insurance costs.

Statistics show that men tend to get into more accidents and more severe accidents than women. Data also indicates they have riskier driving behavior and do not wear seatbelts as often as women. 

While gender may impact your insurance rates in most states, other factors have a much more significant effect on your car insurance, including:

• Make and model of vehicle. Certain vehicles cost more to insure than others due to factors such as their likelihood of being stolen and cost to repair. For instance, foreign sports cars often cost more to insure than minivans. 
• Driving record. Those with clean driving records will typically pay less for their car insurance than drivers with accidents or other violations on their record. High-risk violations, like a DUI, can cause your rates to increase dramatically for several years. 
• Marital status. Married couples tend to pay lower rates for coverage than single drivers, but marital status is a banned rating factor in Massachusetts and Hawaii. 
• Age. Younger drivers are typically charged more than older drivers, since they’re more likely to be involved in an accident. Hawaii and Massachusetts do not allow insurance companies to use age as a rating factor; however, in Massachusetts, your years of driving experience can factor in, so younger drivers still tend to pay more. 
• The coverage you choose. If you purchase full coverage car insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, as well as add-ons, your premium will be higher than if you purchase basic minimum coverage.
• Limits and deductibles. The higher your coverage limits, the more your car insurance will cost. If you choose higher deductibles, your premiums will be lower.
• ZIP code. In most states, insurers look at your ZIP code to determine your risk of theft, vandalism and weather damage and adjust your premium accordingly. 

How to find cheap car insurance for women

Finding the cheapest car insurance is a priority for many women. Unfortunately, insurance rates often increase for reasons that are out of drivers’ control. If your state recently increased minimum coverage requirements, like New Jersey, or you live in a state with frequent insurance fraud, like Florida, rates may be high even for the safest drivers. Fortunately, you may still find the lowest rates for your circumstances with these strategies: 

• Safe driving habits: You will likely pay less for auto insurance if you practice safe driving habits. Accidents, tickets and DUI convictions can raise your insurance rates significantly, so keeping a clean driving record will help you get a lower rate.
• Compare rates: Each insurance company has its own rating algorithm, which weighs your rating factors differently and results in a different premium. Getting quotes from several insurance companies can help you find the coverage you need at the most competitive price.
• Ask about discounts: Taking advantage of car insurance discounts could lower your premium. Although each company has different discounts, some common ones include bundling your home and auto insurance, taking part in a telematics program and paying your premium in full.
• Review your insurance annually: It’s easy to allow your policy to auto-renew every six months, but you may be missing out on the best rates this way. As average costs change and state laws evolve, a better rate may become available. Compare your insurance options at least once a year to make sure you still have the lowest premium available.
• Tell your insurer if you’re driving less: Many insurance companies consider your annual mileage when quoting your insurance rate. If you start working from home or reduce your mileage for any reason, let your insurer know. They may be able to reduce your rate. 

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.