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Car insurance for women

Women used to get cheaper car insurance than men because they were considered statistically safer drivers. This practice was outlawed over a decade ago, which means companies can no longer use gender as a factor when working out car insurance costs. It also means they can't only sell car insurance to women or men, although some do still target women with their policy features and marketing.

We compare up to 160 car insurance companies, so you can be confident you're getting the best price for your insurance no matter your gender.

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Do women get cheaper car insurance than men?

Yes - our data shows that, on average, women do get cheaper car insurance than men. According to our car insurance price index, in Q2 2023 women paid an average of £690 for their car insurance. This is £137 less than men, who paid £827.

This is despite the EU Gender Directive, which means that companies can no longer use a person’s gender as a factor to determine the cost of car insurance. Because of this, a man and a woman with the exact same insurance details and driving history should see the same prices.

When we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’, we’re referencing the designations ‘male’ and ‘female’ that a driver would see on their driving licence and car insurance application.

We understand that this isn't inclusive of gender identities that don’t fit within this binary system. For more information on the use of gendered titles in insurance, please see our general FAQs.

Why is car insurance for women cheaper than for men?

Even though insurers can no longer use gender to calculate prices, companies still base costs on statistics and years of risk data. This means that they rely on other risk factors, such as:

Based on these risk factors, there are several reasons why women's car insurance tends to be cheaper:

  • Male drivers tend to drive more powerful, more expensive cars.
  • Male drivers tend to make more expensive claims, and make them more frequently.
  • Men tend to have more motoring convictions, especially for speeding, drink-driving and driving without insurance.

Do younger women pay more for insurance?

There are 2 major risk factors that determine how much you pay for your car insurance:

  • Your age
  • Your driving experience

Insurers tend to see young drivers as a bigger risk as they’re statistically more likely to be involved in an accident due to inexperience. Young drivers also won't have had time to build up a substantial no-claims bonus, which can help reduce prices.

In Q2 2023, 17-20 year-old female drivers paid an average of £1,7282 for their car insurance. This is £497 more than 21-25 year-old women, who paid £1,231. That shows how even a few years of driving experience can make a difference to prices.

Young female drivers do tend to see lower insurance costs than men of the same age.

For example, in Q2 2023, male drivers between 17 and 20 years old paid £2,414 for their car insurance. This is a huge £686 more than women in the same age group, who paid £1,728.

Women aged 21-25 paid £1,231, compared to £1,700 for men.

2Based on Confused.com Q2 2023 price index data

How can women get cheaper car insurance?

Even though women pay less, on average, than men, there are still more savings to be had.

If you’re looking to cut the cost of your cover, here are some tips:

  • Avoid automatic renewal. Comparing car insurance prices and shopping around is one of the best ways to get cheaper cover. Our data shows that the best time to switch is 26 days3 before the end of your policy.
  • Increase your voluntary excess. The more money you’re willing to put forward for a claim, the lower your costs could be. Just make sure you set it at a level you'd be able to pay.
  • Upgrade your car's security. Investing in a car alarm and immobiliser, as well as a tracker, could help lower the risk of theft. Parking in a secure, well-lit area can also deter thieves.
  • Add a named driver. Adding someone with a good driving history to your policy could help reduce your costs. You should be truthful about who the main driver is though, otherwise you could be 'fronting', which is a illegal and could invalidate your cover.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to get cheaper car insurance.

3Based on Confused.com data February 2023 - May 2023

What our consumer champion says

“At last, the age-old battle of who’s the better driver can be put to rest. It’s official that women are statistically seen as a lower risk by insurers than their male counterparts. Even better, this means insurance prices for women are lower than for men.

The bad news is that insurance prices are at their highest ever, affecting both men and women. It means it’s more important than ever to make sure you shop around to find your best price. If you’ve had a renewal offer from your current insurer, don’t accept it without first comparing it against like-for-like policies. There are savings out there to be had and at a time where all our costs are going up, it makes sense to take advantage of them.”

Are there companies that specialise in car insurance for women?

While there are some companies that market themselves towards women, such as Sheila's Wheels, Go Girl and Diamond, these companies must offer insurance to all drivers regardless of gender.

These companies often offer policy add-ons that are supposed to target female drivers - although that's not to say that men wouldn't also benefit from them. These include:

  • Child car seat cover, which covers the cost of replacing any car seats that were damaged in an accident. Some companies extend this cover to buggies and accessories.
  • Handbag cover, which means your personal possessions are covered if they're lost, damaged or stolen from your car.

What type of car insurance should women get?

This depends on the cover you need. There are 3 main types to choose from:

Third-party

Third-party is the lowest level of cover available and the minimum level of cover required to drive in the UK. This covers you for any damage caused to someone else's property, but doesn't cover your car if it's damaged or stolen.

Third-party, fire and theft

Third-party, fire and theft includes everything covered with third-party insurance, but also covers your car if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive offers the most protection. It offers everything included with third-party, fire and theft, but also provides cover for you and your car if you're involved in an accident. Despite this being the highest level of cover, it isn't always the most expensive, so it's worth comparing quotes.

Need more help?

Has Brexit affected women's car insurance?

At the time of writing, Brexit hasn’t impacted how much men and women pay for their car insurance.

The simple reason is that although the UK has left the European Union, it has kept many aspects of EU law. One of these is the EU Gender Directive.

In theory, the UK government is free to get rid of that law at any time. If it does, this could mean a return to the larger gender price gaps we saw over a decade ago.

But car insurance pricing methods might have changed significantly over the last 10 years, so it’s not a guarantee that this would happen.

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