A California Court of Appeal ruling is renewing debate over whether marital status should influence what drivers pay for auto insurance.
During The Roggin Report, the discussion centered on the court's decision allowing insurance companies to continue charging higher premiums to single, divorced and widowed drivers than married motorists, even when they have identical driving records. Insurance companies say the practice is based on statistical risk, while viewers argue it amounts to discrimination.
The panel questioned whether relationship status should have any impact on the price of insurance.
In a REWIND Stephanie Minor called the policy "one of the crazier stories" discussed on the program.
"What does it matter if you're married?" Contributor, Paul Scott said. "My relationship status doesn't have anything to do with my driving record."
The discussion reflected the reaction from viewers as well. According to comments shared during the program, the online community overwhelmingly opposed the practice. Many questioned the logic of charging single drivers more simply because they are unmarried, with several calling the policy discriminatory.
Insurance companies, however, point to statistical data supporting the practice. As discussed during the segment, insurers cite research indicating that single and unmarried drivers are involved in more collisions and face a higher risk of driver injury than married drivers. Because of those trends, insurers typically charge single motorists between 5% and 15% more for coverage.
The issue reached the courts in Ison v. Lara, where the California Court of Appeal ruled 2-1 to uphold regulations allowing insurers to consider marital status as a risk-based rating factor. The ruling also affirmed the authority of the California Insurance Commissioner to approve those rating factors.
For drivers throughout the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs and surrounding desert communities, the decision means insurance companies may continue using marital status when calculating premiums. Residents who are single, divorced or widowed could continue paying more for coverage despite having the same driving history as married drivers.
While the debate over fairness continues, the current law remains in place, making marital status one of several factors insurers may legally use when determining auto insurance rates in California.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
August 5, 2026
