While several factors determine how much a person pays for auto insurance, a recent report highlighted that women tend to pay more than men—even though men are more likely to be involved in car accidents. Younger men, particularly teenage boys, still pay more than their female counterparts, but middle-aged women end up paying more than middle-aged men. In states like Oregon and Washington, the disparity between what men and women pay for auto insurance is significant. Let’s take a look at what factors may contribute to this discrepancy.
Car Insurance Disparities In Washington and Oregon
Auto insurance data gathered from all fifty states shows that men pay more in states like Texas, Arizona, and Illinois, while women spend more in states like New York, Oregon, and Washington. A few states, including California and Montana, see no significant difference in insurance rates based on gender. In Oregon, women pay an average of $78 per year in insurance premiums than men, with women in their 40s paying as much as 7.6% more than men. In Washington, women spend an average of 5.7% more on annual premiums than men.
Women May Be More Prone to Auto Accident Injuries
While it’s not clear what is driving these discrepancies, data suggests that men tend to be riskier drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, men account for up to 70 percent of vehicle crashes. An estimated 79 percent of intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes and 79 percent of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes are male. However, women are more likely to suffer a serious auto accident injury, as drivers of cars struck by another vehicle are often women. Still, these differences in premiums based on gender are not fully understood.
What Oregon and Washington Drivers Can Do
If you are looking for an alternative to gender-based insurance pricing, you may want to consider usage-based insurance. Regardless of the auto insurance you have, suffering an auto accident injury is stressful. As you focus on your physical recovery, enlist the guidance of a trusted Portland or Vancouver car accident lawyer to ensure you receive the compensation you need to move forward.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a Portland or Vancouver car accident, the compassionate and dedicated personal injury attorneys at Henderson Taylor Law Firm are here to help. Call (360) 737-1478 today to get started.
