Married drivers pay an average of $130 less for car insurance than single drivers. This may seem arbitrary, but car insurance companies have done the math and discovered that married people are less likely to file a claim than single people, saving the insurance company money.
Married people are more likely to combine their assets and bundle their policies. They are also more likely to qualify for multi-vehicle discounts and usually spend less time behind the wheel. These things make it cheaper to insure married drivers, but single drivers can still save money on their car insurance even if their rates are a little higher than their married counterparts.
Is car insurance cheaper for married or single people?
Car insurance is usually cheaper for married drivers than for single drivers. The chart below shows the average annual premium for drivers based on their marital status:
Marital Status | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
Divorced | $1,723 |
Married | $1,591 |
Single | $1,721 |
In general, single or divorced drivers pay more for car insurance than married drivers. This isn’t always the case, however. Some insurance companies, such as Chubb, Amco, and MAPFRE don’t use marital status to help set their rates. Each company is unique, which means working with a Policygenius expert can help you find exactly the right policy to meet your needs.
Cheapest insurance for married drivers
Married drivers tend to see lower rates than single drivers, but comparing quotes from multiple companies can save married drivers even more money. For example, married drivers pay an average annual premium of $1,923 at Allstate, while the same driver would only pay $1,008, on average, at USAA. That is a difference of $915 per year.
The chart below shows the average annual premium for married drivers from ten of the largest car insurance companies in the country:
Company | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
USAA | $1,008 |
Erie | $1,081 |
GEICO | $1,210 |
State Farm | $1,240 |
American Family | $1,344 |
Nationwide | $1,433 |
Progressive | $1,521 |
Travelers | $1,578 |
Farmers | $1,811 |
Allstate | $1,923 |
Cheapest insurance for single drivers
Single drivers tend to pay more for car insurance than their married counterparts, but they can still save money by comparing rates from multiple companies. For example, Allstate has an average annual premium of $1,991 for single drivers, while the same driver at USAA would only pay $1,128. That is a difference of $863 per year.
The chart below shows the average annual premium for single drivers from ten of the largest insurance companies in the country:
Company | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
USAA | $1,128 |
Erie | $1,157 |
GEICO | $1,179 |
State Farm | $1,240 |
American Family | $1,515 |
Nationwide | $1,569 |
Travelers | $1,586 |
Progressive | $1,814 |
Farmers | $1,968 |
Allstate | $1,991 |
Can you have separate car insurance if you are married?
Yes, you can have two separate insurance policies if you are married, but there is really only one situation where keeping separate policies is the best choice: if your spouse has a poor driving record and adding them to your policy will have a significant negative impact on your insurance.
For example, if your spouse drives a 13-year-old Toyota Corolla that has liability only coverage, their rates could stay relatively low even with multiple violations on their driving record. If you drive a 2021 Ford Mustang that has full coverage, adding your spouse who is a high risk driver to your policy could significantly raise your rates. In a situation like this one, some couples may choose to carry separate policies to minimize the impact on the better driver’s insurance rates.
→ Learn more about when to exclude a driver from your car insurance
Why is it better to add your spouse to your car insurance?
Adding your spouse to your car insurance can help you save money on your insurance costs. Not only do most insurance companies offer lower rates for married drivers, but combining your policies allows you to take advantage of multi vehicle discounts and gives you the opportunity to bundle your coverages together.
Buying multiple products from the same insurance company can earn you a bundling discount, which means the need for life insurance, homeowners insurance, and car insurance for multiple vehicles can make car insurance cheaper if you’re married.
→ Learn more about how to add a driver to your car insurance
Can you lie about being married on car insurance?
Lying about anything to your insurance company is a bad idea. If they find out about your lie they might deny a claim or cancel your policy altogether.
Rather than lying about being married (or anything else) you should compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best possible rate.
Frequently asked questions
Why do insurance companies ask if you're married?
Insurance companies use statistical groupings to help set your rates. Drivers are broken into categories based on their age, their location, their marital status, and other factors because insurance companies can review historical claims based on those statistics to help set their rates.
What other factors influence your insurance rate?
Your insurance rate is determined by multiple factors, including your age, your driving history, your ZIP code, and what kind of car you drive. Different states have different insurance laws, which means your insurance rate may or may not be impacted by your gender and your credit rating, depending on where you live.
Can I exclude my spouse from my policy?
You can, but that means your spouse is not allowed to drive your car. If they are driving your car and cause an accident the damage won’t be covered, which could leave you paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.
For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by the state or insurer.
Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers age 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles per year.
Rates for driving violations and “poor” credit were determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of insurance costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
