Insurance Bias: Men Vs. Women Drivers

There is a long history of gender-based pricing in car insurance, with men paying more than women in most US states. This is because men, especially young men, are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, drive more aggressively, and file more expensive claims. Men are also more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) and less likely to wear seat belts. While gender-based pricing is outlawed in some states, insurance companies set policy rates based on population statistics, which show that men are riskier drivers.

Men are more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) across all age groups

The disparity in DUI arrests between men and women is most significant in the older age groups. Men aged 65 and older are 341% more likely to be arrested for DUIs than women in the same age group. The group with the highest number of DUI arrests is the 15-24 age group, with nearly 3% of the population arrested for DUIs. The second-highest group is the 25-29 age group, with nearly 1% arrested for DUIs.

Men are also more likely to be involved in fatal accidents with intoxicated drivers. In 2025, men were involved in 79.5% of drunk driving fatalities. In the same year, the highest number of fatal accidents with intoxicated drivers in any age group was between 25 and 34 years old, with 3,485 accidents. Men accounted for 9,914 deaths, compared to 2,562 deaths for women.

The higher rate of DUI arrests and fatal accidents among men contributes to the perception that male drivers are higher-risk, which is reflected in their car insurance premiums. Insurance companies use population statistics to assess risk and set policy rates, and men's higher likelihood of being arrested for DUI is one factor that contributes to their typically higher insurance costs.

Men are more likely to be stopped by the police while driving

It is a common stereotype that women are worse drivers than men, but insurance data from Singapore and Europe contradicts this perception. According to the data, women tend to drive more safely and thus pay lower insurance premiums. Insurers attribute this to their own claims experiences, with men, especially young men, being involved in more accidents, driving more aggressively, and filing more expensive claims. As a result, male drivers are often considered higher-risk by insurance companies.

While the stereotype of women being worse drivers than men is unfounded, it is true that men are more likely to be stopped by the police while driving. Research has revealed racial and gender disparities in police stops, with Black drivers being more likely to be stopped than their white and Latinx peers. Among men, Black drivers were about 12% more likely to be stopped than white drivers and 17% more likely than Latino drivers. These disparities are influenced by both race and gender, with racial bias potentially impacting the decision to stop a driver.

In terms of gender, data shows that men are generally more likely to be stopped by the police while driving than women. While the percentages of both men and women experiencing traffic stops have declined since 1999, the decline has been smaller for women. In 2015, 10% of male drivers were stopped compared to 7% of female drivers. However, it is worth noting that the number of traffic stops for women has increased by 378,000 since 1999, while men have been stopped 451,000 fewer times in the same period.

The likelihood of being searched during a traffic stop also varies between genders. In 1999, men who were stopped while driving were about four times more likely to be searched than women. By 2015, this disparity decreased, with men being twice as likely to be searched as women. Additionally, women make up a larger percentage of all people searched during traffic stops, and the rate of use of force during stops is higher for Black women than for white or Latina women.

While insurance data may suggest that men are more likely to engage in risky driving practices, the decision to stop a driver is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including race, gender, and potential biases. It is important to recognize these disparities and strive for fair and unbiased policing practices.

Men are more likely to drive more miles than women

The higher number of miles driven by men increases their likelihood of being involved in an accident. In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 5.39 million male drivers were involved in crashes, compared to 3.72 million female drivers. This is reflected in the number of fatal crashes caused by each gender. In 2017, male drivers were responsible for 37,477 fatal crashes, while women were responsible for 12,502 or 13,502 fatal accidents.

The difference in miles driven between men and women is significant and contributes to the perception that men are more likely to be involved in accidents. The higher number of miles driven by men also provides more opportunities for risky driving behaviours, such as speeding, drunk driving, and aggressive driving, which are contributing factors to the severity of crashes.

It is important to note that while men drive more miles on average, women are more likely to have driver's licenses. This means that there are more unlicensed men driving than women, which contributes to the higher number of accidents caused by men. Additionally, the type of vehicle and circumstances of crashes also play a role in the severity of accidents for both men and women.

Men are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviours, such as speeding and not wearing seat belts

Men are statistically more likely to engage in risky driving behaviours, such as speeding and not wearing seat belts. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men are more prone to risky driving practices, including not wearing safety belts, driving under the influence of alcohol, and speeding. This behaviour contributes to the higher insurance rates for men compared to women, as insurers consider them higher-risk drivers.

The disparity in insurance rates between genders is evident in various countries, including the United States and Singapore. In the US, men are more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) across all age groups. For example, men aged 65 and older are 341% more likely to be arrested for DUIs than women in the same age group. The higher rate of DUIs among men impacts their insurance premiums, resulting in higher costs.

In Singapore, data from four major motor insurance providers revealed that women pay lower insurance premiums, up to 13.6% less than men with similar profiles. This difference in pricing is justified by insurance companies due to their claims experiences and risk factors. Singaporean insurers acknowledge that the disparity is not due to sexism or prejudice but is based on actual claims records and driving behaviour.

While gender is a significant factor in determining insurance rates, other considerations come into play as well. Marital status, residence, the car's make and model, and credit score can also influence insurance costs. Additionally, age plays a crucial role, with younger drivers, especially young men, often paying higher insurance rates due to their lack of driving experience and higher risk of accidents.

It is worth noting that the practice of using gender as a pricing factor for insurance is not universally accepted. Several states in the US, including California, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania, have outlawed the use of gender as a determining factor in setting insurance rates. In these states, insurers must rely on other factors to set their rates, and the gender disparity in insurance costs decreases significantly.

Men are more likely to be involved in accidents and file more costly claims

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men typically drive more miles than women and are more prone to risky driving behaviors, such as not wearing seat belts, driving under the influence of alcohol, and speeding. Crashes involving male drivers are often more severe than those involving female drivers. For almost every year between 1975 and 2022, the number of male crash deaths was more than double the number of female crash deaths, as reported by the IIHS.

Men are also more likely to be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) across all age groups. In 2018, men aged 65 and older were 341% more likely to be arrested for DUIs than women in the same age group. The disparity was most pronounced in the 15-24 age group, where nearly 3% of the population had been arrested for DUIs.

While men and women were equally likely to be involved in traffic accidents, men were 32% more likely to be stopped by the police in 2018. This contributes to the perception of higher risk associated with male drivers, leading to higher insurance premiums.

In terms of distracted driving, data from 2022 indicates that men and women now use cell phones while driving at similar rates. However, this is a recent development, as previously, women were more likely to engage in phone use while driving.

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