People strive for gender equality in most facets of life, but in the auto insurance world, it’s a commonly known fact that men usually end up paying more. Data provided by California regulators, for example, shows men could expect to pay an average of about 13 percent more for the same coverage. Gender-based pricing differences are based on extensive statistical information that shows male drivers file more claims than female drivers. Although crash data usually comes out in a woman’s favor, gender can’t always be used to set rates.
Debates have raged for years between men and women over which sex has the best drivers. But as far as insurance companies are concerned, it’s all about numbers. Information in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2008 National Motor Vehicle Causation Survey shows that almost 54 percent of drivers involved in automobile accidents between July 2005 and December 2007 were male.
Most insurance companies take this information very seriously when rating drivers because it influences the probability that they may have to pay out on a claim. Because insurers lose money when claims are paid, people who are at a higher accident risk are generally charged more for vehicle coverage.
Men Can Find Cheaper Rates by Shopping
The amount that a motorist is charged for car coverage is dependent on the individual company. Based on an analysis of rates given in the Auto Insurance and Shopper’s Guide provided by Kansas regulators, it’s apparent that gender-based price differences can vary significantly. Of the 28 companies that are listed, the premiums for a 21-year-old were on average 24 percent—or $ 204—higher when the driver is male. But at its largest, the pricing gap was 44 percent; at its lowest, it was 8 percent.
Despite the accident statistics surrounding the different genders, some insurers do not rely on this information when rating drivers and others are legally barred from using this data. A handful of states—including Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—ban the practice.
Vehicle owners’ best chance of finding affordable coverage that is priced in their favor is to shop around. Although men may encounter higher rates, generating online car insurance quotes from several sources can provide pricing options, and the possibility of finding an insurer that rates men more favorably.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/
Articles – Online Auto Insurance
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Almost every state requires motorists to be insured before driving, but each state has a unique range of prices for vehicle coverage. Insurance costs are dependent on many different things, like population density, crime rate, uninsured motorist percentage, required coverages, and many other facts that are unique for every location. As a result, there are some areas in the U.S. that are more affordable than others.
Auto insurance companies base premiums on a policyholder’s accident risk, and not every motorist can maintain a perfect driving record. But people who have been in multiple accidents or have been convicted of several moving violations still need auto coverage to legally drive in almost every state. Unfortunately, having a higher accident potential also translates into steeper rates. As a result, getting affordable coverage as a nonstandard driver requires a fair amount of research, and possibly the assistance of state programs.