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In a battle of the sexes, men and women are evenly matched when it comes to car insurance rates. Men typically pay more — but only about $2 annually per year, on average. It’s a different story, though, when you talk about teens and young adults. Between the ages of 16-24, male drivers pay an average of $412 more annually than their female counterparts.

Age and gender are two factors that come into play when determining your car insurance premiums, which is the amount you pay for your insurance coverage, typically billed monthly or annually. For both men and women, younger drivers tend to pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers. Men, particularly young men, have traditionally paid more than women as well.

However, how insurance companies consider gender may be changing as some states ban this practice. For example, California and Michigan have both banned insurance companies from considering gender as a factor when determining car insurance premiums. Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have followed suit. 

We explore how age and gender impact car insurance rates below.

Age and gender affect your rate — but they don’t have to define it

If you’re in a high-risk category, there’s still plenty you can do to keep costs down. Here are the most effective strategies:

  • Stay on a parent’s policy for as long as possible — it’s almost always cheaper than a standalone policy for young drivers
  • Keep a clean driving record — even one at-fault accident or speeding ticket can significantly increase your premium
  • Take a defensive driving course — many insurers offer a discount just for completing one
  • Compare quotes across multiple insurers — rates for young and male drivers vary more between companies than for any other demographic, so shopping around has an outsized impact
  • Consider a usage-based insurance program — these programs track your actual driving behavior rather than relying solely on demographic factors, which can work in your favor if you’re a careful driver

At what age is car insurance cheapest — and when do rates finally drop?

Car insurance is cheapest for those in their 50s and 60s. Not surprisingly, teen drivers have the highest premiums, with 16-year-olds paying more than $7,000 on average. Rates don’t begin to substantially drop until about age 25. After that, they fall steadily until they bottom out at age 60 and then begin to slowly climb again.

Graph
Table
AgeAverage annual rates
16$7,149
17$5,954
18$5,249
19$4,126
20$3,739
21$3,094
22$2,858
23$2,670
24$2,524
25$2,259
30$2,012
35$1,947
40$1,897
45$1,869
50$1,790
55$1,737
60$1,717
65$1,742
70$1,841
75$2,010
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car insurance rates by age chart

Straight A’s can mean straight savings

If you’re insuring a teen driver, ask about a good student discount. Most major insurers offer reduced rates for students who maintain a B average or better — this can offset some of the high cost of insuring a young driver.

Is car insurance cheaper for women than men — and by how much?

Car insurance rates are nearly identical for many men and women. Among adults, men pay only about $2 more per year than women, but the difference is much more pronounced for new drivers. Male drivers between the ages of 16-24 can pay anywhere from $140 to $784 more than female drivers of the same age.

“Any factors that contribute to a higher likelihood of getting into an accident can cause rates to rise. Statistics demonstrate that men are both more likely to get into car accidents and more likely to have major injuries due to car accidents, so because of that, they are often a little more expensive to insure,” says Ben Michael, founder and managing partner of the Texas law firm Michael & Associates.

With age, car insurance rates for men and women tend to even out.

The table below highlights the difference in average rates for male and female drivers across different age groups.

AgeAverage annual rates for male driversAverage annual rates for female drivers
16$7,541$6,757
17$6,275$5,633
18$5,543$4,956
19$4,369$3,884
20$3,943$3,537
21$3,231$2,958
22$2,965$2,750
23$2,756$2,584
24$2,594$2,454
25$2,295$2,224
30$2,017$2,006
35$1,949$1,944
40$1,898$1,896
45$1,867$1,870
50$1,794$1,787
55$1,747$1,728
60$1,727$1,707
65$1,754$1,730
70$1,861$1,821
75$2,048$1,971
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How car insurance companies use gender in each state

Whether your insurer can use gender to set your rate depends entirely on where you live. While gender has historically been a standard rating factor for car insurance, a growing number of states have moved to ban the practice — and the trend is continuing.

States that ban gender-based pricing

California, Michigan, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania all prohibit insurers from using gender when calculating premiums. In these states, your rate is based on factors like your age, driving history, location, and the type of vehicle you drive. If you live in one of these states, men and women with identical profiles will be quoted the same rate.

In all other states, gender remains a legal and commonly used rating factor. This means two drivers of the same age, with the same car and driving record, can receive different quotes based on gender alone.

How non-binary drivers are affected

As more states add a non-binary or “X” gender option to driver’s licenses, insurers are beginning to update how they collect and use gender data — though practices vary widely and no industry standard exists yet.

In states that ban gender-based pricing, this is straightforward: all drivers are rated the same regardless of gender identity. In states where gender is still a rating factor, non-binary drivers may encounter one of several approaches:

  • Being assigned a rate based on the gender listed on prior records
  • Being quoted an average of male and female rates
  • Being asked to self-identify at the point of getting a quote

Because there is no consistent rule across insurers, non-binary drivers shopping for coverage should ask each insurer directly how they handle gender data before accepting a quote. Rates can vary significantly depending on how an insurer classifies your gender, so comparing quotes is especially important.

Our agents make it hassle-free to get the right quote.

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Which states have the highest and lowest car insurance rates for men and women?

Louisiana and Florida have the highest car insurance rates for both men and women, with average annual costs exceeding $2,600. Women will find their cheapest coverage in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, where premiums are less than $1,300 annually. The cheapest state for men is Maine where car insurance costs $1,195 annually for them.

The table below breaks down the average insurance costs by gender and state. 

StateAverage annual rates for malesAverage annual rates for females
Maine$1,195$1,154
New Hampshire$1,275$1,256
Vermont$1,345$1,293
Ohio$1,414$1,421
Idaho$1,444$1,412
Virginia$1,457$1,481
Indiana$1,511$1,519
Hawaii$1,517$1,517
Illinois$1,534$1,530
Washington$1,580$1,637
Iowa$1,626$1,635
Oregon$1,640$1,715
Wisconsin$1,653$1,675
Tennessee$1,674$1,679
North Dakota$1,681$1,648
Alaska$1,692$1,661
Massachusetts$1,726$1,726
Connecticut$1,734$1,717
North Carolina$1,742$1,741
Maryland$1,755$1,736
Utah$1,782$1,868
Wyoming$1,806$1,709
Arizona$1,807$1,817
Alabama$1,842$1,877
New York$1,862$1,878
Pennsylvania$1,871$1,872
Kansas$1,903$1,897
New Jersey$1,912$1,892
Nebraska$1,917$1,888
Arkansas$1,931$1,982
Minnesota$1,936$1,886
Georgia$1,965$1,974
Missouri$1,999$1,964
West Virginia$2,010$2,000
Mississippi$2,021$1,996
Nevada$2,026$2,095
New Mexico$2,028$2,069
South Carolina$2,028$1,991
Delaware$2,062$2,065
Texas$2,062$2,024
Rhode Island$2,072$2,050
Oklahoma$2,124$2,152
Washington, D.C.$2,168$2,146
Montana$2,182$2,204
Kentucky$2,246$2,210
South Dakota$2,306$2,255
Colorado$2,350$2,325
Michigan$2,352$2,352
California$2,416$2,416
Florida$2,669$2,720
Louisiana$2,872$2,895
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Which car insurance company offers the lowest rates by age and gender?

USAA has the lowest rates for men and women, regardless of their age. However, only military members and their families can sign up for coverage. Among other insurance companies, Nationwide and Travelers have competitive rates across all driver demographics.

Here’s how car insurance rates compare for male and female drivers of different ages across major insurers.

CompanyFemale(25)Male (25)Female(45)Male (45)Female (65)Male (65)
Allstate$2,884$2,939$2,490$2,477$2,341$2,363
Farmers$2,579$2,713$2,371$2,313$2,109$2,177
GEICO$2,033$2,035$1,767$1,757$1,665$1,659
Nationwide$1,786$1,875$1,489$1,503$1,353$1,391
Progressive$2,358$2,381$2,007$1,965$1,825$1,848
State Farm$2,227$2,444$1,959$1,958$1,766$1,765
Travelers$1,826$1,883$1,556$1,599$1,439$1,503
USAA*$1,721$1,778$1,330$1,353$1,277$1,302
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Note that USAA is only available to military members and their families.

What age does car insurance go up again?

Car insurance rates typically decline until the early 60s and then begin to climb again at age 65. However, the difference in premiums is small – only $25 more at age 65 than at age 60.

As drivers age, their reaction times may slow, putting them at an increased risk of an accident. Still, older drivers won’t pay as much as young adults. A 75-year-old will pay an average of $2,010 per year for car insurance, roughly the same rate as a 30-year-old.

How to lower your car insurance rates regardless of your age or gender

No matter your age or gender, there are proven ways to reduce what you pay for car insurance. The most effective strategies include comparing quotes, claiming discounts, and adjusting your deductible.

Shop around for quotes

Comparing quotes from at least three car insurance companies is one of the fastest ways to find a lower rate. Insurers weigh age, gender, and driving history differently, so the same driver can receive very different quotes from different providers. Use an online comparison tool or work with an independent agent to see your options side by side.

Ask about discounts 

Most insurers offer a wide range of discounts that many drivers never claim. Common ones include:

  • Good student discounts for young drivers with a B average or better
  • Safe driver discounts for those with a clean record
  • Low-mileage discounts if you drive fewer miles than average
  • Bundling discounts when you combine auto and home or renters insurance

Call your insurer directly and ask which discounts you qualify for — they aren’t always applied automatically.

Opt for a higher deductible 

Choosing a higher deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in — typically lowers your monthly premium. For example, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 could reduce your premium by 10–20%, depending on your insurer. Make sure you have enough savings to cover the higher deductible if you need to make a claim.

Frequently asked questions

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

Men generally pay more for car insurance than women, especially in their teens and early twenties. This is because young male drivers tend to take more risks behind the wheel and have higher accident rates. The gap starts to narrow in a driver’s mid-20s and becomes nearly nonexistent by age 35.

Do car insurance companies always consider gender?

In some states, yes. A handful of states — like California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and others — prohibit car insurance companies from using gender to calculate rates. In these states, premiums are based on other factors like age, driving history, location, and vehicle type. However, in most states, gender is still a factor insurers can legally consider when setting your rate.

Which age group pays the most for car insurance?

Teen drivers pay more for car insurance than any age group. Sixteen-year-olds face the steepest premiums due to their inexperience behind the wheel and because they are more likely to be involved in crashes. Rates gradually decline as drivers gain more experience, with the most significant drops occurring in the early-to-mid 20s.

Is women’s car insurance cheaper than men’s?

Yes, on average, women tend to pay slightly less than men for car insurance, particularly when they’re younger. However, the difference in rates shrinks with age and may disappear entirely by the time drivers reach their mid-30s or 40s, depending on the state and insurer.

At what age is car insurance most expensive?

Car insurance is most expensive for 16-year-olds. These new drivers pay an average of more than $7,000 per year for their coverage. Rates remain high – more than $3,000 per year – until at least age 21.

Does car insurance go up after 70?

At age 70, a driver will pay about $100 more per year than they did at age 65. Average rates at age 75 are $2,012 per year, which is about $270 more than the average for a 65-year-old.

Which states don’t use gender to set car insurance rates?

California, Michigan, Hawaii, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are among the states that have banned insurance companies from using gender when calculating their rates. Other states currently allow the use of gender when setting premiums.  

How much does being male add to car insurance costs?

If you’re a 16-year-old male, you’ll pay an average of $784 more per year for car insurance than a female driver of the same age. However, the price gap between genders gets smaller as drivers age. By 40, men pay only $2 more per year than women.

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” Accessed April 2026. 

LGBT Map. “Identity document laws and policies.” Accessed April 2026.

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Maryalene LaPonsie
Staff Writer

 
  

Maryalene LaPonsie is a staff writer for Insure.com. She has 25 years of professional writing experience. She specializes in personal finance -- insurance, investing and retirement.

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