Do single people or married people pay more for car insurance?

Asked by: Ms. Providenci Johnson DVM  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (73 votes)

Auto insurance is cheaper when you are married than when you are single. Based on our analysis, for drivers in U.S., we found that full coverage car insurance costs $123 less annually for married couples than for single drivers — a 5% savings. Rates are the average annual premium for a full coverage policy.

Do married or single people pay the most for car insurance?

On average, a married driver pays $160 less per year for car insurance than does a single, unmarried driver. While being married doesn't necessarily make you a better driver, historical data show married couples are more likely to share driving responsibilities than single people.

Does relationship status affect car insurance?

Figures suggest that couples and families make fewer expensive claims than singletons. As a result, insurers may offer you a more attractive insurance premium. ... However, just because you are married, your car insurance premium isn't always guaranteed to go down.

Is insurance cheaper if you're single?

While it may seem to be based on antiquated notions of relationship statuses, data shows that single people pay more for car insurance as they are statistically more likely to have an accident and make a claim than married couples.

Is it better to be single or divorced for car insurance?

Is It Better to Put Single or Divorced on a Car Insurance Application? If you're wondering whether there's any benefit to putting yourself down as single or divorced when applying for insurance, there typically isn't. Both are statuses are considered the same when your agent generates a quote.

The Real Deal: Single People Pay More for Car Insurance

37 related questions found

Does marital status affect insurance rates?

How does your relationship status affect auto insurance rates? ... Because married drivers are seen as more financially stable and safer drivers, they typically pay less for car insurance. On average, a married driver pays $96 less per year for car insurance than does a single, widowed or divorced driver.

Do you have to tell car insurance you are married?

Most insurance companies require all licensed household members to be listed on the policy as drivers. If you haven't informed the insurance company that you're married, you need to do that now and add her to the policy.

Can you lie about being married on car insurance?

Some may lie about being married – married drivers typically pay lower rates for car insurance. The number of traffic accidents received, criminal records, the vehicle's storage location, and vehicle safety features are other common lies told on insurance applications. These are all types of material misrepresentation.

Does insurance change after marriage?

Marriage is one of the qualifying life events that allow you to change your insurance plan or add your spouse. Most plans require you to make these changes within 60 days of your walk down the aisle. If you miss that deadline, you'll have to wait until the next open-enrollment period to make changes to your plan.

Why do single people pay more for car insurance?

Single people pay more for car insurance than married people because the insurance companies consider single people to be a higher risk. In the insurance business, it is all about the risk that an individual is going to cost the insurance company by filing a claim.

Who pays the most for car insurance?

Men tend to pay more for car insurance overall, though the difference is slight — about 1%. The difference is most pronounced for teens and young adults.

Which age group pays the most for car insurance?

Your age is one of the biggest drivers of your car insurance rate. Young male drivers tend to pay the most for car insurance, with 18-year-old men paying an average of $5,650 per year for full coverage, according to 2021 rate data pulled from Quadrant Information Services.

Will my car insurance go up if I add my wife?

Adding your husband or your wife to your car insurance will likely increase your premium, but it should be cheaper than having two separate policies unless your spouse has a poor driving history. Married couples generally pay lower rates per person because research shows that they aren't as likely to file claims.

Is it better financially to be married or single?

While being married is generally better for your wallet than being single, getting a divorce cancels that benefit — and then some. The OSU study shows that on average, divorced people have 77% less wealth than single people in the same age group.

Can I cancel my insurance after getting married?

You can change health plans if you experience a qualifying life event — like losing other coverage, having a baby, moving, or getting married — that makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.

Why do insurance companies ask if your married?

The companies operate under the assumption that married couples drive safer and get into fewer accidents. They're also viewed as taking fewer risks behind the wheel than unmarried people. Other factors that insurance companies believe include the following: More likely to bundle insurance policies.

What happens to car insurance after marriage?

Most auto insurance carriers offer a discount to married drivers. Even men under 25, who generally get stuck with the highest auto insurance premiums, receive a discount for being married. ... In addition to losing any marriage discount that might be in effect, divorcing couples may also lose multi-car and other discounts.

Can I keep my ex wife on my car insurance?

In general, insurance policies will cover only one household, the one where you and your vehicle reside, so you and your ex-spouse cannot keep one policy for the cars that both of you used to insure together when married and living together.

Can I insure my wife's car in my name?

Generally, a car insurance company will only insure a car in the name of the person who is listed on the car's title. So, for example, if your wife is listed as the car's owner, then an insurance policy for the car would have to be listed in her name. ... However, you two could have a joint policy with both your names.

Is car insurance per driver or per car?

Contrary to popular belief, car insurance typically follows the car — not the driver. If you let someone else drive your car and they get in an accident, your insurance company would likely be responsible for paying the claim, depending on the coverages in your policy.

How much does car insurance cost for a married couple?

California Car Insurance Rates by Marital Status

In California, Married couple typically pay around $165.08 per month while single drivers average in around $74.16 per month.

Why is car insurance cheaper if you are married?

Being married affects your auto insurance rates because insurers view married couples as more financially stable and less risky to cover than single drivers, and they lower rates accordingly. Insurers treat divorced drivers similarly to single drivers, offering both groups comparable rates.

Do I have to put my wife on my auto insurance?

No. You do not have to add your spouse to your car insurance. Most car insurance companies will want all licensed members of your household listed as drivers, to make sure your policy's rate is calculated properly.

Does adding a person to car insurance increase rate?

Adding a driver to a car insurance policy can cost as little as $0 extra, or it can add as much as 100%+ to your annual premium. ... Adding a teen driver to a policy increases the premium by an average of 140% to 160%, according to several studies, but it could be much higher or lower depending on your state.

At what age does car insurance go down?

Why does car insurance go down when you turn 25? Some people do experience a drop in the cost of their car insurance rates after they turn 25 years old. Generally speaking, this is because insurers see this milestone as indicative of a reduction in risk.