Does gender play a role in insurance?

Asked by: Mohammed Kris  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (28 votes)

Insurers can't set premiums based on an applicant's race or religion, for example. 1 But insurance companies traditionally have tied gender to an applicant's risk, so it's often been a factor in setting premiums. However, when setting premiums, insurers don't only consider gender as a factor.

How does gender affect insurance?

Some states don't permit gender to impact insurance rates

There are a few states that explicitly forbid insurance companies from considering gender when it comes to insurance rates. Those states are: California.

What is the gender rule in insurance?

The discrimination prohibited by this Section. 2561.2 includes any of the following: (1) Denying, cancelling, limiting or refusing to issue or renew an in. surance policy on the basis ofan insured' s or prospective insured 's actual. or perceived gender identity, or for the reason that the insured or prospec.

Does gender matter in health insurance?

The ACA bars plans from charging women higher premiums than men for the same level of coverage (gender rating) or from disqualifying women from coverage because they had certain pre-existing medical conditions, including pregnancy.

Does gender matter in life insurance?

Statistically, women live longer than men, so they often pay less than men for life insurance. Health or lifestyle risks typically impact your premiums more than your gender. Gender-nonconforming applicants won't get higher rates based on gender identity, but must apply under one gender with most insurers.

Whole Life Insurance Can Make Your Child A Millionaire

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Can insurance companies ask your gender?

California law protects health insurance consumers from discrimination based on their gender identity and related medical conditions.

Does insurance cover gender selection?

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR GENDER SELECTION? Most insurance companies will not cover the sperm microsorting costs of gender selection. However genetic screening of the embryo may be covered to ensure that the baby will be normal and healthy.

What gender pays more for health insurance?

Researchers at Deloitte analyzed data on 16 million workers with health coverage. They found women spend $15.4 billion more every year on healthcare than men,. That works out to a premium of $266 for the average womanor around 18% more than men. This discrepancy exists for all women of working age.

Why does gender matter in healthcare?

Interactions within and between the health system and community are influenced by restrictive gender norms and inequalities (eg, power and trust), affecting the strength, efficiency, and health impact of health system components and the system as a whole.

Does insurance have to cover gender reassignment?

Gender Dysphoria / Gender Reassignment

Virtually all major insurance companies recognize that transgender-related medical care is medically necessary and have a written policy describing their criteria for when plans they administer will cover it. Below is a list of such policies.

Can I identify as female for insurance?

In most states, gender is used as a car insurance rating factor, which means changing your gender could impact your premium. The only states that prohibit insurance companies from using gender as a rating factor are California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

Why is male life insurance higher than female?

For example, for life insurance or mortality-based products, the higher probability of death for males and shorter life expectancies would lead to males being charged higher rates than females. Using unisex rates on such products actually benefits the males, with the females subsidizing the males.

What is the unisex policy?

Unisex legislation states that all people, regardless of gender, must be treated the same by insurance companies when setting rates and product offerings.

Whose insurance is higher, male or female?

Although men paid more in 2019, data from 2018 showed women paid marginally higher premiums. For drivers older than 25, the difference between car insurance premiums for men and women is largely insignificant until drivers reach the age of 60. Beyond that, rates for male drivers tend to be somewhat more expensive.

Who pays more for insurance, married or single?

Does being married get me better car insurance rates? Yes, married couples typically pay lower premiums than single people. In general, insurance companies view married people as financially stable and safer drivers. That can mean fewer accidents and claims.

What gender gets charged more for car insurance?

States that do not currently allow using gender to determine auto insurance rates include: California. Hawaii. Massachusetts.

Why does gender matter in insurance?

Historically, insurance companies have used gender as a factor in setting rates, with young male drivers typically paying higher premiums due to statistical data showing they are more likely to be involved in accidents. However, the use of gender in insurance pricing varies by state and insurance provider.

Is there a gender bias in healthcare?

Gender bias in healthcare is an intersectional issue

While women are statistically more likely to be discriminated against on the basis of their gender — in healthcare and in many other aspects of life — not all inequalities are experienced equally.

How many genders are there in 2024?

Besides male and female, there are 72 other genders, which include the following: Agender: A person who does not identify themselves with or experience any gender. Agender people are also called null-gender, genderless, gendervoid, or neutral gender. Abimegender: Associated with being profound, deep, and infinite.

Why is insurance cheaper for females?

In most states, women pay less for car insurance than men because they statistically engage in fewer risky driving habits, including speeding and driving under the influence. But this isn't the case in all states, and some do not allow the use of gender in auto insurance rating.

What are some examples of gender inequality in healthcare?

Examples of gender bias in healthcare
  • Disbelief in symptoms. Stereotypes about gender affect how doctors treat illnesses and approach their patients. ...
  • Workplace harassment, bullying, and discrimination. Gender bias also leads to discrimination against health workers. ...
  • Gaps in medical research.

Is women's healthcare underfunded?

Research related to women's health is critically underfunded. In 2020, only 5% of global research and development (R&D) funding was allocated to women's health research.

What is the gender rule in health insurance?

California law prohibits health plans from denying health care or discriminating against individuals because of the individual's gender, including gender identity or gender expression.

Can you pick a baby's gender?

Long story short: Gender selection without using in vitro fertilization (IVF) has little strong science behind it. The only true way to select the sex of your baby is by undergoing IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). IVF is a reproductive treatment in which eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory.

Does the military pay for gender reassignment surgery?

In November 2017, the Defense Health Agency for the first time approved payment for sex reassignment surgery for an active-duty U.S. military service member. The patient, an infantry soldier who identifies as a woman, had already begun a course of treatment for gender reassignment.