For several reasons car insurers are more comfortable with female drivers than their male counterparts. And this has had implications, positively, on the premiums this category of car insurance policyholder pays when compared to the opposite gender.
In recent times, a number of studies have come to acknowledge the fact the women drivers are a lot more cautious when behind the wheel than men. They are, most importantly, less likely to have motoring convictions.
These findings have formed the basis on which car insurers judge women drivers and fix the premiums they pay when taking out the cover.
Complementing this position is a new study from moneysupermaket.com that found that women’s car insurance premiums are still cheaper than those of men. And that the worst hit in terms of expensive premiums are young male drivers. This is not unconnected to the fact that young men are more likely to show-off while driving and in the process either risk accidents or fall foul of the law and incur penalties that would mean costs for their insurer. Thus, the costs are often passed on to the members of this age category and gender.
It is interesting to know that the women pay nine per cent less than men in their 20s. While the former pays just an average of £320, the latter pays £50 more to get the same cover for a similar car.
Even among men, clearly, age difference is a determinant. This is because men in their 20s pay up to 41 per cent more than those in their 30s. Perhaps the realisation that as young men get older they acquire a greater sense of responsibility comes into play here. And in a positive way it helps in getting the premiums drop a little.
Another example of the role age plays in deciding the cost of the policy for men is that even at the teenage level there is a difference in premium between what a man of 18 pays to what he pays if he was a year older. While at 18 the average premium for a young man is £1,815, it drops by more than half when he clocks 19, to £874.
Yet a more amazing case is that as drivers get older their premiums on car insurance drop, with women paying an average of £203 a year as they reach their 50s, and men in their 50s even pay less than women - an average of £199. For the first time men are given the benefit of doubt and, perhaps, seen as less risky than women.
Commenting on the whole situation an expert in the industry, Peter Gerrard, who is also the head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com noted that often insurers consider young men and newly qualified drivers as high risk. This, thus, affects their chances of getting competitive motor insurance.
The trouble for people in this situation is that in the absence of any competitive deals they end up with just any deal they could find and most likely the most expensive.
Although women are often at an advantage in terms of choices and even cheaper car insurance, the general advice experts usually give people looking to take out car insurance is they should take their time and shop around for the best deal.
To save costs, therefore, there is no better time for people to shop around for their deals before signing up to any insurance policy. Technology has simplified things for everyone and people can even search online.
Musa is an author of several articles pertaining to Car Insurance. He is known for his expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.
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