The Best Car Insurance Companies for Women

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Written by Rayna Opoku Edited by Quiana Darden Reviewed by Amanda Clear

Updated January 23, 2023

Women account for half of all drivers in the United States and own more than 28 million cars. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), the number of women drivers has increased by over 35% since 1997. 

With such a significant increase of women on the road, more female drivers are searching for affordable car insurance than ever before. Thankfully, women across the nation can save money on auto insurance. 

This article will dive into how much car insurance costs for women, how gender affects rates, and available discounts to save on your car insurance coverage.

Key Takeaways:

• Car insurance for women depends on factors such as age, vehicle make and model, location, driving record, and credit score. 
• On average, women pay less than men for auto insurance due to practicing safer driving habits and spending less time on the road. 
• Women can save money on car insurance by asking for discounts, choosing a higher deductible, and comparing car insurance rates often. 

How Much is Car Insurance for Women?

The average cost of car insurance for women is usually less than for men. While not significantly different, women pay an average of 5% less for their insurance than male drivers. 

However, the difference in price between men and women varies depending on your age, driving record, and other factors. The following factors come into play when auto insurance companies determine your monthly rate: 

• Age: If you’re a female driver in your late 20s or 30s, you’ll pay less than an older driver nearing retirement age. You can expect higher rates if you’re a young female teen driver due to your lack of experience on the road. 
• Driving Record: If there are no accidents or tickets on your record, insurers consider you a safer driver. This means you’ll get cheaper rates when searching for coverage. 
• Vehicle Make and Model: Expensive vehicles with all the bells and whistles tend to cost more to insure than basic models. So, the type of car you drive can impact your insurance rates.  
• Credit score: Your credit score is critical in determining what you pay for your car insurance. Poor credit could double your insurance rate, whereas good credit could increase your savings. However, more states are banning car insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor when setting premiums. 
• Marital status:  Most insurance companies believe that married couples have a much stronger financial base than single people and are more cautious drivers. As a result, married couples usually pay lower rates than those not married. 

Here’s a look at average monthly premiums for female drivers at some of the top auto insurance companies. 

While it’s good to know average premiums, the best way to know how much you’ll pay for auto insurance is to get quotes from different insurers. Drivers who use our auto insurance comparison calculator save an average of $720/year.

How Gender Affects Car Insurance Premiums

Good news! As a woman, you’re likely to get the best car insurance rates because of your gender. While your dad, brother, uncle, or son might not consider this to be positive, there’s a good reason why insurance companies set rates this way. 

Here are a few reasons women get lower car insurance rates than men:

• Women are safer drivers: On average, the driving record of a female driver has fewer accidents, tickets, and alcohol-related driving violations. They are also more likely to wear a seatbelt. 
• Women are more likely to be passengers than drivers: Female drivers are less likely to cause an accident since they’re often passengers. Since they aren’t at the wheel, their car insurance policy won’t be affected by claims related to the operation of another vehicle. 
• Men have higher annual mileage: Men make up most of the accident statistics because they spend more time on the road. They are also more prone to driving at night, which is when most accidents occur. 

This disparity between genders is more evident when insuring young drivers. 

According to the CDC, teen male drivers are almost twice as likely to be killed in an auto accident than teen female drivers. These statistics have caused car insurance rates to be substantially higher for young male drivers. 

Does Gender Affect Your Car Insurance in Every State?

Does gender affect your car insurance rates where you live? The answer is yes, but only sometimes. It may surprise you that some states have gender-neutral policies, and some have different rates for men and women. Generally, there are two categories of state laws on this issue:

• Gender-neutral states: States now allow drivers to identify as non-binary, so insurance companies can’t base their policy rates on which gender the person identifies with. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are just some states adopting this law. 
• Different premiums for men vs. women: Most states still allow car insurance companies to use gender as a factor when setting insurance rates. For example, Oregon has mandated that companies that want to use gender to set insurance premiums must submit documentation clarifying how they rate those drivers. 

Not every state has laws regarding how premiums are calculated based on gender. So if you’re looking for cheaper rates for auto insurance, check with your state’s department of motor vehicles.  

Why Do Car Insurance Companies Have Varying Rates for Women?

With all the factors determining women’s auto insurance rates, it’s no surprise that car insurance rates vary wildly between companies. Companies use different algorithms to determine how much female drivers should pay in coverage. They use other data points and may give more importance to certain risk factors. 

Each company will set its rates based on the gender statistics of its state. Since insurers use varying data sets, the insurance cost will also vary. As a result, female drivers in California may pay more than male drivers in Texas. In contrast, female drivers in Texas may pay less than male drivers in New York. 

This is one reason why shopping around and comparing rates is essential before choosing a car insurance company. By shopping around, you ensure you get the best deal for you and other women drivers in your family. 

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best car insurance options for women drivers. 

What are the Best Car Insurance Companies for Women?

When looking for the best car insurance company, getting quotes from different insurers and comparing coverage is essential. All of the top companies are excellent choices, but some will fit your needs better than others. 

Some drivers prefer to opt for insurance from a national provider as it is simple to transfer their coverage if they relocate to another state. They feel that these franchises often have reasonable, consistent rates and are reputable.

Here are a few of the best car insurance companies for women: 

GEICO 

This is one of the most popular car insurance companies in America, and they offer great coverage at a low cost. Their typical premiums are among the lowest in the country. They also have a lot of perks if you’re willing to pay more per month. For example, you might enjoy rental car coverage or roadside assistance, which are great options for women to avoid being stranded without a car. 

They give various options online, like online claims reporting, to make their clients’ lives even easier.

However, GEICO is known to charge females slightly more, depending on the state where you currently live. 

State Farm

A large company with many locations throughout the U.S., State Farm has been around for over 90 years. It is known for its focus on safe driving. State Farm’s policies reflect that drivers with good driving histories receive substantially lower quotes than those with poor ones. 

Busy female drivers will enjoy access to its large number of regional representatives. This will make it simple for you to access information about your policy or file a claim. However, women drivers with poor credit should search for additional discounts since State Farm is known to charge them higher premiums.

Travelers 

Travelers has been in business for more than 165 years and is one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. With that much expertise and a wide variety of options for auto insurance coverage, Travelers is a titan in the insurance industry. 

In addition to Washington, DC, Travelers’ auto insurance is accessible in 42 states. It provides comprehensive coverage options at reasonable rates. Aside from offering vehicle insurance, it offers a wide range of other insurance products, such as pet, jewelry, and travel insurance. This benefits women who can bundle insurance plans and save even more.

How Can Women Save on Their Car Insurance Policies?

It takes more than choosing a provider and signing on the dotted line to get the best vehicle insurance at the lowest cost. Women need to consider where they live, how they make their payments, and discounts they might qualify for. 

If you’ve already chosen an insurer, don’t sweat! There are things you can do right now to save money on your car insurance policy as a woman. 

Ask Your Insurance Agent About Discounts 

If you haven’t already, call your insurance company about any discounts you qualify for. While some discounts are advertised online, you may still be leaving money on the table if you need help understanding what’s available. 

Here are some standard discounts that can help to lower your premium: 

• Good driver discount: Safe driving doesn’t just keep you and other drivers out of trouble. You can also qualify for significant savings by practicing safe driving habits. If you’ve gone three years or more since your last violation or accident, you can enjoy savings of 10-40% on your insurance premium. 
• Multi-policy discount: If you can bundle your life insurance, renter’s insurance, or homeowner’s insurance policy with your auto insurance, you might qualify for a multi-policy discount. 
• Vehicle Safety discount: If you have specific safety features installed in your vehicle, truck, or SUV, you may be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-lock brakes, airbags, running lights, and electronic stability control are typical qualifying equipment. However, they will vary based on your insurance provider.
• Multi-car discount: Do you have several people in your household with cars? Or do you live alone but own more than one vehicle? Save up to 25% by insuring more than one car on your policy. 
• Good student discount: If you’re currently a high school, college, or university student, getting good grades could have you saving big on auto insurance. You’ll need to maintain a 3.0 GPA or a B average to qualify for the discount. 
• Paid-in-full discount: Save on your premium by paying for your policy in full instead of making monthly installments. 

Select a Higher Deductible 

Your auto insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for an accident or claim before your insurance policy covers the remainder. Your comprehensive and collision, uninsured motorist property damage, and personal injury protection coverages typically include deductibles. 

The larger your deductible, the less your insurance is required to pay in the event of an accident. So, if you pick a $500 or $1,000 deductible instead of a $250 deductible, your vehicle insurance premiums will be lower. 

Choosing a higher deductible is a definite method to save money on vehicle insurance. Just make sure it’s a reasonable amount you can afford to pay in case you need to file a claim.

Practice Safe Driving Habits 

If you have a horrible driving record, you will need more discounts or large deductibles to get you the cheap auto insurance coverage you desire.

How much will your vehicle insurance cost if you get a ticket? Whether the ticket is for a minor traffic offense or something more serious, such as reckless driving, you could see a drastic spike in your monthly payments at your next renewal.

One of the easiest methods to acquire inexpensive auto insurance is to drive responsibly, avoid accidents, and stick to the speed limit. If you already have a few missteps on your record, be patient, and shop around for car insurance. After 3 to 5 years, the DMV will typically wipe them from your record, and your insurance rates will decrease. Though keep in mind that some carriers will still use major violations as underwriting factors, even if they’re more than 5 years old.

Opt For Telematics or Usage-Based Insurance 

If you drive less than the average American, choosing pay-per-mile coverage is one of the best ways to acquire affordable auto insurance. Pay-per-mile insurance is when you pay a low monthly base rate followed by a per-mile rate.

Telematics insurance, often known as usage-based insurance, differs from pay-per-mile coverage. With telematics, a device in your vehicle monitors how often you drive and your driving behaviors. You agree to let your insurance provider watch your driving patterns and get a discount depending on your driving habits.

However, many drivers need help getting the maximum savings. If you have usage-based insurance, you’ll be penalized for braking forcefully, driving late at night, accelerating too rapidly, and speeding. Most drivers who qualify for the discount see 10 – 15% savings.

How to Find a Cheap Car Insurance Company For Women

If you have yet to decide on an auto insurance company, you can use your newfound knowledge to shop smart. You can do a few things to find a cheap auto insurance policy as a woman. 

Shop Around for the Best Deal 

Comparing prices from several insurers is an effective strategy for women to obtain the most affordable auto insurance rates. Most people don’t compare car insurance quotes and end up paying too much for their policies. Make sure to get quotes from different car insurance companies.

Compare.com makes it easy to compare rates from dozens of auto insurers nationwide. Enter your zip code to get started. Comparing real-life estimates will show you the scope of possible premiums and which insurers offer the best deals.

Explore Smaller, Local Insurers 

Although they may not be as well-known as big-name insurers like GEICO or Nationwide, take advantage of smaller, local insurers as well. Since these companies don’t spend as much money on personnel and marketing, smaller car insurance businesses can provide low insurance rates. 

However, it is crucial to note that this is sometimes the case. A local insurance firm may also provide higher prices than a national insurance company. That’s why you want to compare prices to get the best quote. 

FAQs About the Best Car Insurance for Women

What is the best car insurance company for women?

The best car insurance company for women depends on what you need from an insurer. Some insurers offer discounts and incentives that can lower your monthly payments. In contrast, others offer low rates depending on the coverage you need. Shop around and compare quotes from a few companies to find what works best for your budget. 

Why is car insurance cheaper for women? 

Male drivers pay more for car insurance than women for several reasons. Male drivers are more prone to reckless driving, spend more time on the road, and are less likely to wear a seatbelt while driving. 

Do auto insurance companies charge women less for car insurance than men? 

Auto insurance companies can consider your gender in most states when calculating premiums. Women are likely to pay less, but how much less will vary depending on their age. Younger men and women will have the most significant gender disparity. In contrast, adult drivers should typically expect a smaller gender-based price difference. 

Rayna Opoku Auto Insurance Writer

Rayna Opoku is an expert content writer who has spent the last two years creating in-depth guides and articles for the auto insurance industry. With over four years of experience writing for various companies, she's able to make even the most complicated of concepts sound simple and straightforward. When she's not writing about car insurance, you can find her exploring the next Fintech trend, smashing birdies down the badminton court, or sipping a mocha at her favorite cafe.