Study: Women on average pay $26 more for car insurance than men

They drive the same car, are the same age and have the same driving record, but women are paying more for car insurance than men in North Carolina.

QuoteWizard, an insurance marketplace, found that women pay an average of $26 more per billing cycle for car coverage than men in North Carolina.

QuoteWizard analysts looked at several insurance companies and found that all charge more for car insurance: Anywhere from $6 to $200 more.

“We looked at 10 major insurance carriers in North Carolina and found in every single instance women are paying more than men,” Nick VinZant, a senior research analyst for QuoteWizard said.

But why? VinZant, told WRAL 5 On Your Side that there was no statistical reason behind the higher prices.

“There really isn’t an explanation,” VinZant said. “There isn’t statistics that say women are more likely to be involved in car accidents or they’re more likely to file a claim.”

Poor credit history, where you live and a bad driving record can all legally drive up the cost of your insurance.

“Young men pay more for car insurance because young men 16 to 25 are much more likely to engage in risky driving behavior,” VinZant said. “That is not true for the woman we looked at between 30 and 60.”

A law in North Carolina prohibits charging more for car insurance based on gender.

WRAL 5 On Your Side took the findings to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, which regulates the insurance industry. Director of Communications Jason Tyson found the study interesting but wrote that the Department of Insurance’s market regulations division monitors all market conduct activity of all types of domestic and foreign insurance companies.

“We specifically monitor policyholder treatment as a part of this process. We rely on this monitoring and policyholder complaints into our consumer services division to keep tabs on any alleged discrimination," he added.

If you feel that you are being charged unfairly for coverage you can report it here.

Women pay more in 31 states. Alaska, Florida and New York had the biggest gender inequality gap with women paying more; $378 Alaska, $307 Florida and $208 New York. Men and women pay the same in California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Visit QuoteWizard’s full report on gender inequality in auto insurance including a full breakdown of coverage costs in each state.