You’ve heard the saying “men are from Mars, women are from Venus,” right? When it comes to car insurance in 2025, the gap between genders might feel like it’s from different galaxies. But which gender pays more for car insurance? Who is charged more in the battle of the sexes—men or women?
Surprise: it’s men.
Yes, the tables have turned. According to the latest studies, men now pay more for car insurance than women in the majority of U.S. states. But don’t jump to conclusions—there’s more to this story than just a gender checkbox on an insurance form.
This blog breaks down the why, how, and where of gender-based pricing in car insurance. We’ll explore state-by-state stats, deep-dive into behavioral data, look at what regulators are doing about it, and offer tips anyone, regardless of gender, can use to score lower premiums.
Quick Answer: Men Pay More in 38 States
In 2025, men pay higher auto insurance premiums than women in 38 states, according to the latest report by The Zebra. On average, men pay $2,184 annually, while women pay $2,151—a $33 difference. That may sound minor, but spread that over millions of drivers, and it adds up fast.
But here’s the kicker: just a few years ago, it was the opposite.
Back in 2018, it was found that women were paying slightly more on average than men. In fact, women paid more in nearly half of all U.S. states at the time. That number has now dropped dramatically. So what changed?
Let’s unpack it.
Understanding Gender-Based Car Insurance Rates
Here’s the short version: Insurance is all about risk. Insurers crunch mountains of data to predict how likely you are to file a claim. The more risk they see, the higher your rates.
For decades, gender has been one of those risk markers. On average:
- Young men drive more aggressively and are involved in more severe accidents.
- Teenage male drivers have especially high crash and claim rates.
- Women, while generally safer, tend to be more injury-prone in crashes, leading to higher medical payouts in some cases.
Sound outdated or unfair? Maybe. That’s why many states are changing the rules.
People Also Read: What Factors Determine Car Insurance Rates
Where Women Still Pay More (And Why)
In just four states and Washington D.C., women still pay more for car insurance than men in 2025.
- Florida
- South Carolina
- Nevada
- Oregon
- Washington D.C.
Why? It’s complicated. Each state has its own underwriting regulations, and sometimes women’s driving patterns or accident data in those regions drive up premiums. For instance, in Florida, women pay more even though men there have higher accident rates overall. Weird, right?
It could also reflect differences in how women and men are grouped by age, coverage type, or even vehicle usage in specific ZIP codes.
The States That Have Outlawed Gender-Based Pricing
In an effort to make auto insurance more equitable, seven states no longer allow gender to be used as a pricing factor:
- California
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
In these states, insurance companies have to ignore gender altogether. Your rate is determined by factors like your driving record, age, credit score (in most states), location, and the kind of car you drive.
Good news, right? Sort of. While gender-neutral pricing seems fair on the surface, some critics argue it leads to unfair averages, especially for safer drivers who end up subsidizing riskier ones.
What the Data Says: Average Premiums by Gender
Here’s a peek at what men and women pay on average for a 6-month policy in a few key states (from The Zebra’s 2025 report):
| State | Men Pay | Women Pay | Who Pays More? |
| California | $1,097 | $1,097 | Same |
| Florida | $1,843 | $1,885 | Women |
| Texas | $1,379 | $1,349 | Men |
| Georgia | $1,280 | $1,253 | Men |
| Michigan | $1,237 | $1,236 | Same |
| Minnesota | $1,031 | $1,031 | Same |
| Oregon | $1,120 | $1,149 | Women |
Note: These are averages for drivers with standard profiles. Individual premiums can vary a lot depending on personal driving history, vehicle type, and coverage level.
Why Are Men Paying More Now?
1. Risky Driving Behavior
Let’s be blunt: statistically, men still drive more aggressively than women. They’re more likely to:
- Speed
- Drive under the influence
- Skip seatbelts
- Be involved in fatal crashes
These behaviors increase the risk of claims, especially expensive liability claims. Insurers aren’t just guessing—they base pricing on years of crash and claims data.
2. Severity of Accidents
Male drivers tend to be involved in more severe accidents, with higher payout costs. That doesn’t mean women are risk-free, just that the cost per incident is often higher for men.
3. Younger Male Drivers
Teenage and early 20s male drivers are a premium disaster zone. A 17-year-old male driver can pay thousands more per year than a 17-year-old female. The gap narrows with age, but early risk defines a driver’s profile for years.
Should Gender Even Matter Anymore?
This is the million-dollar question.
Critics say using gender as a pricing factor reinforces stereotypes and punishes drivers for something they can’t control. Supporters argue it’s backed by hard data and reflects real-world risks.
The industry is in flux. As more data becomes available from telematics (think: tracking your actual driving via apps or devices), insurers are moving toward behavior-based pricing.
Instead of generalizing by gender, insurers can now look at:
- How fast you drive
- How hard you brake
- How often you drive at night
- Whether you use your phone while driving
This shift could eventually render gender-based pricing irrelevant altogether.
The Gender & Age Combo: How It Shapes Rates
Your age and gender combined tell insurers a lot—fair or not. Here’s how the pricing trends typically play out:
- Teenagers (16–19): Male teens pay hundreds more per month than females.
- Young adults (20–29): The gap shrinks but persists, with men still paying slightly more.
- Adults (30–59): Rates become more even. In some states, women may pay more in this range.
- Seniors (60+): Gender differences fade. Other factors like vision, reflexes, and overall health become more important.
Real-Life Example: Meet Alex and Mia
Let’s say:
- Alex is a 22-year-old male, clean record, drives a 2020 Honda Civic.
- Mia is a 22-year-old female, same profile.
In most states, Alex’s premium will be 10–20% higher—just based on gender.
But if Mia has a speeding ticket and Alex doesn’t? The roles could flip. In the end, driving behavior matters more than gender, especially as you get older.
Tips to Lower Your Premium: No Matter Who You Are
Tired of being at the mercy of algorithms? Here are real ways to take back control:
- Shop Around Every 6–12 Months
Loyalty doesn’t pay. Compare quotes regularly and switch if needed. Check out Beem’s car insurance comparison tool to find the lowest insurance rates and save up to 40% on premiums. - Bundle Up
Combine your auto insurance with renters or homeowners to get a discount. - Improve Your Credit Score
In most states, credit still affects premiums. Better score = lower rate. Beem also offers a credit monitoring tool that helps you track, review, and improve your credit score. - Use a Telematics Program
Let your insurer track your driving and reward safe habits. - Choose a Safe Car
Sedans with good crash-test ratings typically cost less to insure than sports cars or luxury models. - Raise Your Deductible
If you rarely file claims, increasing your deductible can cut your monthly premium. - Drive Less
Less mileage = less exposure = lower rates. Some insurers offer low-mileage discounts.
The Gender Gap Is Closing (But It’s Complicated)
In 2025, the once-simple question—“Who pays more for car insurance: men or women?”—has a more layered answer than ever. Men currently pay more in most states, but local laws, age, and driving habits play a much bigger role than your gender alone.
The good news? The future is trending toward personalized pricing. With the rise of AI, telematics, and user-level risk assessments, insurance is starting to judge you by how you actually drive, not who you are.
Until then, knowledge is power. Know your state’s rules, track your record, and use smart tools like Beem to compare rates and save up to 40% on your auto insurance.
Because whether you’re a careful Chloe or a cautious Carlos, nobody wants to overpay for peace of mind behind the wheel.
