Written by licensed insurance agent Andy walker
Reviewed by the Alias Insurance editorial team.
Age can have a strong effect on car insurance prices, especially for drivers under 25. Gender may also affect rates in states that allow insurers to use it. The gap is usually widest for young male drivers, then becomes much smaller as men and women gain driving experience.
Insurance.com reports that, for its 2026 full coverage sample, a 16 year old female driver averaged $9,846 a year while a 16 year old male averaged $10,928. At age 25, the averages were $2,997 for women and $3,091 for men. At age 30, the gap fell to $5 a year. These are sample averages, not prices every driver should expect.
Crash data helps explain the pattern. IIHS reports that in 2022, male drivers had 2.8 fatal crash involvements per 100 million miles traveled, compared with 1.9 for female drivers. Among drivers ages 16 to 19, the rates were 9.2 for males and 5.2 for females.
Age does not set your price by itself. Gender does not decide what every driver will pay. Insurers combine allowed rating factors with your driving profile, and state law can restrict the use of age, gender, or both.
How much does car insurance cost by age and gender?
The following table uses Insurance.com 2026 national averages for a sample driver with full coverage, a clean record, good credit, 10,000 annual miles, and a Honda Accord LX. The sample includes liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per incident, $100,000 for property damage, and $500 deductibles for collision and other covered physical damage.
| Driver age | Female annual average | Male annual average |
| 16 | $9,846 | $10,928 |
| 18 | $7,047 | $7,946 |
| 20 | $4,893 | $5,454 |
| 21 | $4,020 | $4,441 |
| 25 | $2,997 | $3,091 |
| 30 | $2,729 | $2,734 |
| 40 | $2,585 | $2,570 |
| 50 | $2,418 | $2,424 |
| 60 | $2,297 | $2,327 |
| 65 | $2,333 | $2,373 |
| 70 | $2,467 | $2,528 |
| 75 | $2,681 | $2,803 |
Use the table as a pricing example, not a prediction. Location, coverage, driving history, vehicle, and mileage can change a quote. The NAIC notes that insurers may consider factors such as location, driving experience, record, claims history, vehicle type, annual mileage, and selected coverage.
Why do younger drivers usually pay more for car insurance?
New drivers have less experience with traffic, poor weather, sudden stops, and night driving. Crash data shows why insurers may view this group as higher risk.
NHTSA reports that drivers ages 16 to 19 were involved in 4.8 fatal crashes per 100 million travel miles in the data used for its young driver guidance. The rate was 3.3 for ages 20 to 24, 2.3 for ages 25 to 29, and 1.4 for ages 30 to 59.
Rates often decline as drivers gain experience and avoid tickets, crashes, and claims.
For drivers still building experience, the car insurance for young drivers guide explains coverage choices and common cost factors in more detail.
Why can young men pay more than young women?
The price difference is tied to group loss and crash patterns used by insurers where gender rating is legal. It does not mean every young man drives less safely than every young woman.
IIHS data shows a large difference among younger drivers. In 2022, male drivers ages 16 to 19 had 9.2 fatal crash involvements per 100 million miles traveled. Female drivers in the same age group had 5.2. Among drivers ages 20 to 29, the rates were 7.0 for men and 3.2 for women.
Speeding also shows a difference. IIHS reports that 20 percent of male passenger vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding, compared with 12 percent of female drivers.
These population statistics can help insurers estimate expected claim risk. They cannot tell an insurer exactly how one person will drive. Your own driving record, location, mileage, car, coverage, and insurer can change the final price.
Does the gender price gap disappear as drivers get older?
Sure thing! So, here’s the deal with gender and car insurance: Men usually end up paying about 6% more than women over their whole life, but it changes as they get older.
Before turning 21, men pay about 10% more than women for full coverage insurance. But as they get older, that difference starts to get smaller. After hitting 30, guys actually start paying 1% less than girls, and it stays that way until they’re 50. So, it’s like a bit of a seesaw – goes up and then down as you get older!
How to save money on car insurance at any age
It often becomes small.
Insurance.com found a $1,082 annual difference between its male and female sample drivers at age 16. By age 25, that gap was $94. By age 30, it was only $5. Its data also shows small periods where women paid slightly more than men during some middle age points.
That pattern is a useful reminder that gender is only one possible rating factor. It is not a fixed surcharge applied to all men or a fixed discount given to all women.
IIHS crash data also shows that the sex gap in fatal crash involvement per mile is much larger among younger drivers than among drivers ages 30 to 69. That helps explain why the rate difference can shrink with age.
Does car insurance always get cheaper when you turn 25?
No. Age 25 is not a guaranteed price reset.
Many drivers see lower rates through their early twenties as they gain experience. Insurance.com notes that reductions happen over several years rather than at one single birthday. A new ticket, at fault crash, costly vehicle, higher coverage limit, change of address, or other rating change can offset savings that might otherwise come with age.
Compare your renewal with quotes for the same coverage rather than assume age 25 should produce a set discount.
At what age is car insurance usually cheapest?
Current national sample data places some of the lowest average rates around the late fifties and early sixties. In Insurance.com data, both the female and male sample drivers reached their lowest listed average at age 60. The female average was $2,297 and the male average was $2,327.
Age 60 will not be cheapest for every person. Driving history, location, car, mileage, coverage, and insurer still matter. Retirees who drive fewer miles should also update their annual mileage with the carrier. The NAIC lists vehicle use and mileage among factors that can affect rates.
Older drivers can review coverage, mileage, and discount options in the car insurance for drivers over 50 guide.
Why can rates rise again for older drivers?
Insurance prices can start moving upward again for older age groups, although the increase is usually far smaller than the cost seen for teen drivers.
IIHS reports that fatal crash rates per mile begin to rise noticeably at ages 70 to 74 and are highest among drivers 85 and older. IIHS also explains that the higher fatal risk among older drivers is linked in large part to greater physical vulnerability and medical complications after a crash, rather than simply a greater tendency to crash.
Insurance.com data shows the pricing curve moving upward after age 60 in its national sample. A male sample driver averaged $2,327 at age 60, $2,373 at 65, $2,528 at 70, and $2,803 at 75. The female sample followed a similar pattern.
Older drivers should not assume a rate increase is caused only by age. Ask the insurer what factors affected the renewal and compare matching quotes.
Can insurers use gender in every state?
No.
The NAIC lists age and gender among common auto insurance rating factors, but rating rules are controlled by state law. Other common factors include location, driving experience, driving record, claims history, vehicle type, vehicle use, miles driven, coverage, and deductibles.
Some states restrict gender based rating. California, for example, has prohibited gender as a private passenger auto insurance rating factor since 2019.
Massachusetts rules state that private passenger motor vehicle risk classifications cannot be based on sex or age. Michigan law also restricts the use of gender in auto insurance rating. State laws can change, so drivers should confirm current rules with their state insurance department or a licensed insurance professional.
Can age be used for car insurance in every state?
No. Some states limit age based rating.
Insurance.com identifies Hawaii and Massachusetts as states where age itself cannot be used as an auto insurance rating factor. In Massachusetts, years of driving experience can still matter, so a newly licensed adult may still pay more than a driver with many years of experience.
This distinction matters. Age and driving experience often move together, but they are not the same fact.
A 35 year old who received a first license last month does not have the same driving history as a 35 year old who has been licensed since age 17. An insurer may be allowed to consider that difference even where certain personal rating factors are restricted.
What other factors can matter more than age or gender?
Age and gender are only part of the rate calculation where they are allowed.
The NAIC lists several other common rating factors. They can include:
- Your location
- Years of driving experience
- Driving record
- Claims history
- Credit history where state law permits its use
- Prior insurance history
- Vehicle type
- How the vehicle is used
- Annual mileage
- Coverage limits and deductibles
Your driving record can become especially important after you have several years of experience. An experienced driver with repeated speeding tickets or at fault crashes may pay more than a younger driver with a clean history.
Vehicle choice also matters. A car with costly parts or high repair costs may produce a higher quote than a less expensive vehicle for the same driver.
For a broader explanation, read factors that affect car insurance rates.
How can young men and women lower car insurance costs?
You cannot change your age, but you can work on factors that are under your control.
Start with these steps:
- Compare quotes using the same limits and deductibles.
- Keep a clean driving record.
- Ask about good student discounts if you qualify.
- Ask whether an approved driver training course earns a discount.
- Choose a car that is reasonable to insure.
- Report annual mileage accurately.
- Ask whether staying on a family policy is allowed and cheaper.
- Review optional coverage without cutting protection you need.
- Ask about telematics only after reading how the program uses driving data.
- Avoid a coverage lapse.
The NAIC lists possible discounts for multiple vehicles, driver education, good students, safety equipment, low mileage, safe drivers, and combined auto and home policies. It also notes that not all discounts are offered in every state.
Discount rules differ by company and state. A discount also does not guarantee the lowest final premium. Compare the total price after all discounts.
The guide to car insurance discounts explains common discount categories that may be available.
What should parents know before adding a teen driver?
Parents should price the change before the teen begins regular driving.
Ask the current insurer for the cost of adding the teen and compare the same family setup with other carriers. Provide accurate details about the teen, the cars they will use, mileage, school status, and primary driver assignments.
Do not reduce liability limits only to offset the teen rate without first considering the financial risk. A serious crash can create costs above state minimum liability limits.
Parents should also ask about:
- Good student discounts
- Approved driver education discounts
- Student away at school rules
- Safe driving programs
- Which household car the teen will drive
- Rules for occasional versus regular drivers
The NAIC recommends giving the same information to each insurer when comparing quotes and checking available discounts with the agent or carrier.
The goal is not simply to find the lowest number. The policy must still meet state law and protect the household from losses it could not easily pay.
How should men and women compare quotes fairly?
Keep every major quote detail the same.
Use the same liability limits, physical damage deductibles, uninsured motorist limits, medical coverage, drivers, vehicles, mileage, and optional benefits. A quote with less protection can look cheaper even though the carrier did not actually price the same risk more favorably.
The NAIC advises shoppers to give the same information to each company when requesting price quotes.
Also check the full policy term cost. Monthly payment amounts can hide different policy terms or fees.
If one quote is much lower than the others, review it line by line. Check whether a driver, car, coverage option, or limit is missing.
Can men or women get special discounts based only on gender?
Gender, where permitted, may be part of a rating model. It is not usually a special consumer discount. Discounts are more often tied to driving history, multiple policies, student status, mileage, vehicle features, or approved programs.
The NAIC advises consumers to ask about discounts and compare quotes because carriers can price similar drivers differently.
Frequently asked questions
Rates often decline through a man’s late teens and twenties if he keeps a clean record. There is no required drop at one birthday. Insurance.com 2026 sample data shows male average rates falling from $10,928 at age 16 to $3,091 at 25 and $2,734 at 30.
Female rates also tend to decline as driving experience grows. Insurance.com sample data shows $9,846 at age 16, $2,997 at 25, and $2,729 at 30. Personal rates may change differently because insurers use many allowed rating factors.
Young men often pay more than young women in states that permit gender rating. The gap becomes much smaller with age. Some middle age sample rates show almost no difference or slightly higher averages for women. State rules and personal rating factors can change the result.
No. Many drivers see rates decline during their early twenties, but age 25 does not create an automatic discount. Tickets, claims, vehicle changes, location, coverage, and insurer pricing can prevent a rate decrease.
Teen drivers generally face the highest rates. Insurance.com 2026 national sample data shows its highest listed prices at age 16 for both male and female drivers. Crash data also shows elevated fatal crash involvement per mile among younger drivers.
National sample rates can begin rising again during the senior years. Insurance.com data rises after age 60, while IIHS reports fatal crash involvement per mile increases noticeably starting around ages 70 to 74. Your own renewal can rise earlier or later for unrelated reasons.
Final takeaway
Age affects car insurance most strongly during the early driving years. Young men can face higher average rates than young women where gender rating is permitted, but the gap often becomes small by the late twenties or around age 30. Rates may stay relatively lower through middle age and can begin rising later in life.
No age or gender table can tell you the exact price you will pay. State laws, driving history, years licensed, vehicle, location, mileage, coverage, deductibles, and insurer pricing all matter. Compare quotes using matching coverage and check current state rules before making a policy decision. Alias Insurance helps U.S. drivers compare car insurance quote options so they can review price and coverage before choosing a policy.
References and Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Auto Insurance
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Auto Insurance Consumer Guide
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Males and Females
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Older People
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Young Drivers
- California Department of Insurance: Gender Rating Rule
- Insurance.com: Average Car Insurance Rates by Age and Gender for 2026
