Does my job title affect how much I’ll pay for car insurance?

The short answer is yes.

Depending on the car insurance provider, you may see different quotes depending on what job title you include in your application because insurance providers may allocate a higher risk for specific occupations.

Should I change my job title when applying for car insurance?

Many occupations have a range of job titles to describe them, so when you’re on the hunt for a car insurance quote, you should probably try and adjust and tweak your job title to see how it impacts the results.

When it comes to your car insurance, it’s essential to be straight-up about your job title. Trying to fudge it to score a cheaper policy might land you in hot water. That’s like playing with fire in the insurance world.

Now, don’t sweat it! There are a bunch of different ways to describe the same kind of job. So, no need to get all tangled up. Just keep it accurate and find the right fit for your occupation.

Here’s an example:

If you work as a writer and editor for a marketing company. Job titles that could be equally valid include:

  • Writer
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Marketing Executive
  • Content manager
  • Editor
  • Copywriter

That being said, these job titles are all interchangeable. As long as you’re 100% confident that the title you’re using reflects what you do day-to-day, you should try different titles to see if you get different results.

Which job titles are best for car insurance?

There’s no one set answer to this question. The price you pay for car insurance depends on a large variety of factors; these factors include:

  • Where you live
  • Your age
  • Driving experience
  • The car that you drive
  • Your no-claims bonus
  • Any previous claims or convictions

Generally, insurance providers favour jobs that suggest you don’t have a risky lifestyle. Whilst you could argue that your job doesn’t define how you act, insurance providers consider this. An excellent example of this is if you’re a Deliveroo or fast food driver, as this role would suggest that you may have to drive late at night in busy areas.

Roles with the lowest costs tend to include those who work in civil service or a 9-5 working pattern. This is mainly because there’s less time spent driving other than your daily commute, which makes it less likely that you’ll make a claim.

Louise Thomas, a motor insurance expert from Confused.com, said:

“Insurance companies also look at what they call ‘moral hazards’ when working out car insurance costs. This is how risky they think a driver might behave based on information like their occupation. Delivery drivers, for example, have additional pressure to make their deliveries on time. This could increase their risk of speeding, careless driving or having an accident. This becomes a higher risk occupation, which leads to higher car insurance costs.”

What are the cheapest job titles for car insurance?

Ranking Job title Annual insurance cost
1. Mechanic £298.61
2. Administrator / Civil Servant £308.44
3. Designer £312.91
4. Design Engineer £312.91
5. Account Executive £313.37
6. Commercial Manager £313.63
7. Estimator £313.75
8. Engineer £314.95
9. Account Manager £315.29
10. Financial Analyst £315.75

Great news for mechanics, administrators, civil servants and designers! They currently enjoy the lowest car insurance premiums.

There are a range of reasons why; check them out below:

  1. Mechanics: Their deep understanding of vehicle maintenance and repair reduces the likelihood that they’ll make a claim.
  2. Administrators: Their organisational skills and attention to detail indicate they’re responsible drivers. Not just that, they likely work on a 9-5 shift pattern, reducing the amount of time on the road.
  3. Civil Servants: Their commitment to public service can be seen as indicative of responsible driving habits.
  4. Designers: Their meticulousness and careful approach to decision-making lead to affordable premiums.

What are the most expensive job titles for car insurance?

According to data collected by Confused.com (*Confused.com data, comprehensive car insurance quotes between April 2022 – March 2023. Minimum 10,000 quotes per job title. Excludes retired, student and unemployed statuses.)

 

Ranking Job title Annual insurance cost
1. Fast Food Driver £1536
2. Apprentice £1382
3. Fast Food Caterer £1371
4. Fast Goods Proprietor £1343
5. Construction Worker £1251
6. Abattoir Worker £1234
7. Barber £1222
8. Car Valet £1211
9. Delivery Courier £1187

 

So why do folks with the above job titles pay the most for car insurance premiums? Let us break it down for you:

  1. Fast Food Driver: These people face a higher risk of accidents due to their fast-paced and on-the-road jobs.
  2. Apprentice: Since apprentices are relatively new to their professions, insurance providers typically see them as less experienced on the roads.
  3. Fast Food Caterer: Similar to fast food drivers, those working in fast food catering may find themselves rushing around to deliver orders. Rushing means a higher likelihood of accidents, and insurers adjust their premiums accordingly.

What job do I declare if I have two jobs?

The easy answer is both. When you approach a car insurance provider or comparison site, they’ll initially ask about your profession. However, they will likely follow up with, ‘Do you have another occupation?’. If you say yes, you will be given the opportunity to input your second occupation.

Do insurance providers check my job title with my employer?

No. Car insurance providers won’t typically check to see if your occupation matches what you’ve told them in your application form.

But it’s crucial to remember that if you need to make a claim, they’re likely to catch you out. If they find that you’ve been dishonest, they will void your insurance, potentially leaving you with a nasty bill.

I’m unemployed, does this affect my car insurance premium?

Unfortunately, yes. Unemployed drivers are usually regarded as a higher risk than those in employment. This may be because your insurance provider expects you to be on the road more, driving to job interviews etc.

How does being retired impact my car insurance policy?

You may think that being retired would make your car insurance policy cheaper, but this isn’t necessarily the case. If you were previously employed in a job considered high-risk by your insurer, you might see your costs decrease slightly when you retire. However, if you were in a low-risk position previously, you probably won’t notice a difference in price.

What should I do if my job title is causing me to receive higher car insurance quotes?

If you’re receiving high-cost car insurance quotes and you believe it’s because you’re in a high-risk job, there are a few things you can do:

  • Shop around: Try price comparison sites, as some insurers may consider your job role a lower risk.
  • Check if you can use a different job title: If your job title has other iterations that still directly cover what you do day-to-day, try using alternatives and see how this impacts the price.
  • Consider not using your car for work: If you do this, you can change your class of use to ‘social only’.
  • Restrict your annual mileage: If you’re able to do this, you’re likely to see a lower price.
  • Increase your voluntary excess: just make sure you can afford to pay this excess in the event of a claim.

While some occupations enjoy lower premiums due to perceived lower risk, others may face higher costs based on the nature of their work. If you find that your job title is causing you to receive higher insurance quotes, don’t worry. There are steps you can take to lower your premiums.

If you’re still struggling with the cost of your insurance, have you thought about upgrading your car? Changing cars can dramatically help reduce the cost of your car insurance premium.

If you’re in the market for a new car and need car finance to make your purchase, look no further than Marsh Finance.

Are you looking to upgrade your ride?

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Representative Example

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Representative example: borrowing £10,000 over 60 Months with a representative of 23.0% APR, an annual interest rate of 23.0% (fixed) and a deposit of £0.00, the amount payable would be 59 repayments of £269.58 per month, with one final repayment of £279.58 (which includes the option to purchase fee of £10.00), with a total cost of credit of £6,184.80 and a total amount payable of £16,184.80. Marsh Finance Limited are a lender, not a broker. 

Marsh Finance Limited are a lender, not a broker.

This is for illustrative purposes only and is not a quote or an offer of finance.