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If you ask most people who they think has to pay the most for auto insurance, they will likely say young adult men or teenage boys – and they’d be right. But compared to other ages, there seems to be an even wider gap in insurance costs between boys and girls in their teen years. So why is the cost of car insurance more expensive for boys than for girls?
Put simply, insurance companies have decided that men** across all ages are riskier drivers than women – and the younger a driver is, the more likely they are to practice unsafe habits behind the wheel. However, if you’re a young driver in your early 20s or the parent of a teen driver, this doesn’t mean you can’t find savings opportunities with your current insurer or another one.
Our experts have researched and ranked the best auto insurance companies that can help young male drivers save money through discounts and programs. We’ve also compiled all the relevant information and created the quote box below. You can find affordable insurance by comparing free auto insurance quotes from the providers in your area.
**See note at the bottom of the article
Why Do Young Men Pay Higher Rates for Car Insurance Than Young Women?
There are two primary reasons that teenage and young adult male drivers incur super high rates for insurance:
1. Male Drivers in General Get into More Car Accidents Than Female Drivers
This difference in rates between male and female drivers comes down to perceived risk, along with the fact that men have higher rates of death, risky behavior and miles driven than women. Risky behavior includes speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also reports that crashes with male drivers have a tendency to be serious compared to crashes involving female drivers. All these combined mean that car insurance companies feel that men are more likely than women to get into accidents and make claims.
2. Young Drivers Engage in More Risky Behavior on the Road
Teenage drivers of both genders pay more for auto insurance than adults, due partly to a lack of experience behind the wheel and the higher likelihood of engaging in risky behavior on the road. While many feel that basing rates on age is unfair, the consensus among insurers is that young drivers can’t possibly have long driving histories yet, so the only way for providers to protect themselves is to go by the evidence of bad driving in younger motorists.
But what is some evidence of bad driving?
According to the IIHS, the rate of fatal crashes per mile driven is three times as high when 16 to 17-year-olds drive compared to drivers who are at least 20 years old. With higher crash rates for younger ages, insurance companies take extreme precautions for policies with young drivers – especially when they’re 18 or younger.
But Some States Don’t Let Gender Affect Insurance Rates
While men pay more for insurance than women in most parts of the country, there are some states where there is no difference in insurance rates given to men and women – or boy and girl drivers in their teen years. These states make it illegal for providers to consider gender when determining insurance rates.
As a result, young men tend to have much lower rates in states such as:
- North Carolina
- Montana
- Massachusetts
- California
- Hawaii
- Pennsylvania
Other Factors Outside of Age and Gender That Can Boost Insurance Rates
Remember that even if you or your teen driver are in a state where gender should not affect your car insurance premium, you may still find yourself with higher rates based on other factors.
Here are three of the biggest factors – outside of age and gender – that lead to high interest rates:
- Driving history: Drivers with speeding tickets, recent at-fault accidents, DUIs and other traffic violations will always pay higher rates – regardless of age or gender.
- Location: Insurance companies charge higher premiums for drivers that live in areas where claims are more likely to be filed. This includes areas with high populations and high theft rates.
- Bad credit scores: Bad credit scores indicate to providers that drivers are less likely to pay premiums on time, so they’re considered a higher risk and are charged more.
Teenage drivers are less likely to have lines of credit than drivers in their early twenties, but if you’re a young driver that pays your own rent or has your own credit card, credit scores are going to be more applicable to you when an insurance provider determines your rates.
How Can Young Male Drivers Lower Their Insurance Rates?
The good news is that men younger than 25 and teen drivers have the same opportunities to lower their insurance rates as anyone else.
Comparison Shop
You should always get multiple quotes before choosing an insurance provider to go with. This will help you compare and choose the best rates and coverage.
If Possible, Stay on Your Parents’ Policy
Assuming that you still live at home, it’s usually cheaper to be added to your parents’ insurance policy than to get your own policy. This is due to multiple factors, including discounts for homeowners, multiple insurance policies and multiple autos.
However, to be on your parents’ auto insurance policy, the car has to be in their name. If you own a car and want to get more affordable insurance rates, you may have to add them to the title.
Drive Safely and Keep a Clean Record
Your driving record has a significant impact on your auto insurance rates. The good news is that you have control over this factor. Don’t drive under the influence, speed or do other things that can lead to tickets. Driving safely and defensively can also help you avoid claims, which may lower your rate.
Take Advantage of Discounts
Young men can save money on auto insurance by looking for applicable discounts. These will vary based on the auto insurance provider, but teen males or young adult men may be eligible for the following offers:
- Good student
- Driver away at school
- Driver’s education course
- Claim-free
- New vehicle
- Anti-theft features on the car
- Safety features on the car
If your parents add you to their policy, there are even more potential discounts for homeowners or having multiple lines or multiple policies.
Enroll in a Safe-Driving Program
Insurance companies generally believe younger drivers aren’t always safe on the road, so one way you can set yourself apart is to enroll in a safe-driving program – if your provider offers one. Drivers can get huge discounts on premiums by successfully completing these pay-as-you-go programs.
Many insurers have their own brand programs that are offered through apps, like State Farm’s Steer Clear® program, which is made for drivers under 25. Safe-driving apps monitor your habits while you’re behind the wheel.
How and what the apps monitor varies by program, but generally, it’s:
- How hard you break
- How abruptly you turn
- How fast you drive
- How many hours you drive per day
- Time of day that you drive the most
- How often you’re on the phone while driving
When you get above a certain score or complete your program, you may be eligible for a large insurance discount. You could take up to 30% off your premium with either GEICO’s DriveEasy program or State Farm’s Drive Safe & SaveTM program, for example.
However, you should seriously think about your driving habits before enrolling in one of these programs because, if you don’t drive well while using them – your rates will rise.
Our Recommendations for Auto Insurance
Following our expert evaluation, we recommend GEICO, Progressive or State Farm for your auto insurance. While these providers are excellent options, it is still wise to compare quotes. A comparison tool is the easiest way to compare free auto insurance quotes, and you can use our quote box to get started. Just enter your zip code to use the tool.
GEICO: Most Discount Options
GEICO earned an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5.0, receiving high scores for industry standing, coverage, affordability and customer service. Aside from being known to offer the industry’s lowest rates, GEICO offers numerous savings opportunities, including:
- Daytime running lights discount
- Added safety features discounts
- Good driver discount
- New vehicle discount
- Driver’s education discount
Progressive: Best for Accident-Prone Drivers
Progressive earned a 4.5 overall rating in our expert analysis and is known to be the best option for drivers with a history of higher risk. Some of the discounts Progressive offers include:
- Good student discount
- Distant student discount
- Teen driver discount
- Pay-in-full discount
- Paperless discount
Read more: Progressive insurance review
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
In our expert evaluation, State Farm earned a 4.6 rating overall. This company is known to give multiple discount opportunities and strong customer service, while also receiving high ratings for industry reputation and coverage. In addition to the best-in-industry student discount (25%), State Farm offers these:
- Distant student discount
- Anti-theft system discount
- Accident-free discount
- Driver training discount
- Passive restraint discount
FAQ:
Why are car insurance rates higher for males?
Insurance rates are higher for males because insurance providers have decided they are riskier and more likely to get into an accident.
Which gender pays more for car insurance?
Data shows that men pay more for car insurance than women. However, there are some states where it is illegal to factor in a person’s gender for their insurance premiums. These states include:
• North Carolina
• Montana
• Massachusetts
• California
• Hawaii
• Pennsylvania
Who pays more for car insurance, married or single individuals?
Single people tend to pay more for auto insurance than married people. Insurance companies generally believe that married couples are more likely to be bundle policies under the same insurer and are financially safer with combined incomes.
Which age group pays the most for car insurance?
Teen drivers between 16 and 19 years tend to pay the most for car insurance. The national average rate for 16-year-olds is $6,912 per year. For 17-year-olds, it’s $5,612, and for 18-year-olds, it’s $4,958. Nineteen-year-olds pay an average annual rate of $3,708. Drivers these ages are perceived to be a higher risk to insurers because they have less experience behind the wheel and are more likely to engage in risky driving.
**Note: Insurance companies often base rates on whatever gender is listed on a person’s license, regardless of how that person identifies. For some providers, transgender and nonbinary individuals may have to identify themselves as either man or woman when applying for insurance. Some providers might also classify gender (man, woman) and biological sex (male, female) as the same thing when deciding rates.
