Everything you need to know about women’s car insurance
Statistically, women are considered to be safer drivers than men. In the past, this meant that many women drivers could benefit from cheaper car insurance deals. However, in 2012 European law made it illegal for insurance providers to use gender as a basis to calculate motor insurance.
The good news is there’s still plenty of cheap deals available for women drivers. If you have a good driving history and have built up a decent no-claims bonus, you can still save money on car insurance for women by shopping around.
What car insurance cover do women need?
There are three types of car insurance cover available:
- Third-party is the most basic cover required by law. It covers you for any injury you cause to another person and any damage to their property.
- Third-party, fire and theft offers the same cover as third-party, but you’re also covered if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.
- Fully comprehensive car insurance includes all the cover of a third-party, fire and theft policy but will also protect you as a driver and pay out for damage to your car.
Can women drivers get cheaper car insurance than men?
The European Court of Justice’s gender ruling came into effect in December 2012 and had a huge impact on car insurance for women. It meant that insurance providers were prohibited from taking gender into account when calculating the cost of car insurance premiums.
So, even though women are statistically deemed to be safer drivers than men, these statistics can no longer be taken into account when calculating car insurance for women.
However, whatever your gender, factors considered when calculating a car insurance premium include:
- Your age
- The type of car you drive
- Your no-claims bonus
- Where you park your car overnight.
This means that experienced women drivers with a good driving record can still get a great deal on their car insurance.
Women’s car insurance for young drivers
While you’ll no longer find cheaper car insurance solely based on your gender, your age is definitely a factor in calculating your premiums. You’ll typically find that drivers under the age of 25 pay far more than drivers aged 25 and over.
This is simply because drivers with less experience behind the wheel are at higher risk of making an insurance claim. At the other end of the scale, drivers over the age of 50 usually pay far less than younger drivers because they’re considered a much lower risk.
One of the best ways to save money on your car insurance is to compare policies from different providers. Other ways to potentially lower your premiums include getting a black box insurance policy, adding an experienced named driver or by driving a less powerful model of car.
Did you know?According to government research, young male drivers under the age of 25 pose a far higher risk on the roads than female drivers of the same age, and account for 80% of young driver fatalities. Studies suggest that one reason is because it takes longer for brain development to reach full maturity in men than in women. This can lead them to be more reckless and impulsive behind the wheel. |
Are there benefits to taking out a policy for women?
Although women-only car insurance no longer exists, some providers offer policies with cover options and add-ons that women drivers in particular could benefit from. These include:
- Priority breakdown service – while this isn’t exclusive to women, it does include special protection for women driving alone in a remote or dangerous area, or a parent with young children in the car.
- Handbag and contents cover – offers cover for your handbag and its contents if it’s stolen from your car or damaged in an accident.
- Child car seat cover – if you regularly drive with little ones in the car, you can cover their car seats against damage in the event of an accident, or theft.
What optional extras may be worth considering?
Consider adding the following to your car insurance for an extra cost, but check beforehand whether they’re already included in your policy.
Personal accident cover can provide compensation for death or serious injury caused by a car accident.
Courtesy car cover provides you with a replacement vehicle while your car is out of action.
Breakdown cover could help you get back on the road if your car breaks down.
Legal expenses insurance could cover all or some of the legal costs if you’re involved in an accident and a claim is made by you or another driver.
How can I find the cheapest car insurance for women?
There are several things you can do to help lower the cost of women’s car insurance.
Increase your voluntary excess
Just make sure you can afford the voluntary excess on top of the compulsory excess set by your insurance provider if you need to make a claim.
Pay for your insurance in one go
Although monthly repayments may seem a convenient way of spreading the cost, you’ll usually be charged interest on the instalments. Our quote page allows you to calculate the difference between the two payment options to help you decide which is right for you.
Limiting the number of miles you drive
Could reduce the risk of you having an accident and therefore lower the cost of your car insurance. Your insurance provider will ask you to estimate your maximum annual mileage, so set this as low as you realistically can.
Improve your car’s security
Fitting an approved alarm or immobiliser may deter potential car thieves and possibly reduce your car insurance. Speak to your insurance provider beforehand to see if they offer a security discount.
Consider black box insurance
Also known as telematics insurance, a small device is installed in your car, or you download an app to your phone, that tells your insurance provider how you’re driving. If you drive safely, you may be rewarded with cheaper monthly premiums.
Shop around
Comparing with us could be the best way to get a cheaper deal on car insurance.
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Where can I compare cheap car insurance for women?
Our car insurance comparison service is the perfect place to start. We independently compare a wide range of the UK’s most trusted car insurance providers to find the right deal for you.
We’ll show you car insurance for women based on price, cover level, add-ons and annual or monthly payment options, helping you to choose the right policy to suit your particular needs.
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Start a quoteFrequently asked questions
Why are there specific insurance providers for women?
Car insurance providers who specialise in car insurance for women largely originated before the December 2012 ruling by the European Court of Justice.
Before this ruling, car insurance providers were legally allowed to offer cheaper car insurance to women because they’re statistically safer drivers than men. Since the ruling, these providers must now offer car insurance for men too.
What else can affect the cost of car insurance for women?
There’s a number of things that can affect the cost of your car insurance, whatever your gender. The type of car you drive, driving offences and past claims can all have an impact on the cost of your premium. Ultimately, it depends on how much of a risk insurance providers consider you to be, based on your driving habits and history.
Can I add family members to my policy?
Yes, you can add your partner or child to your policy as a named driver. If your partner has a good driving history, it could help bring down the cost of your car insurance.
Adding your kids to your policy could help them avoid the costly premiums that younger, inexperienced drivers typically pay. However, it could push up the price of your policy as they’re considered more of a risk by insurance providers.
As the main policyholder, make sure you do most of the driving though. Otherwise, you could be guilty of car insurance fronting, which is illegal.
