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| Expect to pay more if you have the word 'car' in your job title. |
Your job title could be costing you a fortune in car insurance (By Ben Griffin) - We've always known a person's job title can affect the price of their car insurance premium, but have you stopped to think just how much? Confused.com has, and the results are quite staggering. The insurance comparison firm suggests car salesmen pay more than 13 times than the average fully comprehensive car insurance cost of £736, that figure based on statistics obtained between March 2012 and March 2013.
The average annual premium for a car valeter was an eye-watering £4,817. In fact, and this is somewhat ironic, four of the most expensive average car insurance premiums in Confused.com's list applied to people with the word 'car' in their profession.
Window cleaners were quoted £4,607.12, professional footballers £4,038.10 and car dealers £2,883.85. The survey went on to look at occupations that had the lowest average annual premium. A bursar at a state school pays only £372.46 while a head of personnel and secretary PA only had to shell out £384.50 and £393.30, respectively.
It comes as no surprise to learn a police inspector trained in advanced driving should expect to pay just £402.86, coming fifth place in the lowest average annual premium list, while a principal officer of civil services pays £396.30.
Insurance premiums are calculated based on driver statistics and probabilities. Therefore changing your job title (or lying about it) may not result in a favourable outcome ─ and if an insurance company finds you lied, you may void your insurance and not get a payout if you're involved in an accident.
"There are still distinguishing factors that can affect the cost of your car premium," Confused.com head of insurance Gemma Stanbury explained. “These factors include the type of car you drive, the area you live in, your age, your profession and your own driving history.
"However this does not mean that every Bursar, Secretary and Police Inspector will be able to get a cheap deal. Each driver will be quoted on their own data - but your profession can significantly affect your insurance cost," she said.
Top five profeessions quoted the highest comprehensive car insurance premium: Occupation - Average Annual Premium:
The average annual premium for a car valeter was an eye-watering £4,817. In fact, and this is somewhat ironic, four of the most expensive average car insurance premiums in Confused.com's list applied to people with the word 'car' in their profession.
Window cleaners were quoted £4,607.12, professional footballers £4,038.10 and car dealers £2,883.85. The survey went on to look at occupations that had the lowest average annual premium. A bursar at a state school pays only £372.46 while a head of personnel and secretary PA only had to shell out £384.50 and £393.30, respectively.
It comes as no surprise to learn a police inspector trained in advanced driving should expect to pay just £402.86, coming fifth place in the lowest average annual premium list, while a principal officer of civil services pays £396.30.
Insurance premiums are calculated based on driver statistics and probabilities. Therefore changing your job title (or lying about it) may not result in a favourable outcome ─ and if an insurance company finds you lied, you may void your insurance and not get a payout if you're involved in an accident.
"There are still distinguishing factors that can affect the cost of your car premium," Confused.com head of insurance Gemma Stanbury explained. “These factors include the type of car you drive, the area you live in, your age, your profession and your own driving history.
"However this does not mean that every Bursar, Secretary and Police Inspector will be able to get a cheap deal. Each driver will be quoted on their own data - but your profession can significantly affect your insurance cost," she said.
Top five profeessions quoted the highest comprehensive car insurance premium: Occupation - Average Annual Premium:
1 Car Salesman 9640.33
2 Car Valeter 4817.37
3 Window Cleaner 4607.12
4 Professional Footballer Apprentice 4038.1
5 Car Dealer 2883.85
Top five professions quoted the lowest comprehensive car insurance premium: Occupation - Average Annual Premium:
1 Bursar State School 372.46
2 Head of Personnel 384.5
3 Secretary PA 393.3
4 Principal Officer Civil Service 396.3
5 Police Inspector 302.86
Your job could cost you thousands in car insurance: Some professions pay through the nose, but choosing your job title carefully can minimise the premium. Insurance premiums vary by thousands of pounds depending on the driver's profession, according to research published today by Confused.com. The price comparison website has found that its average quote for car salesmen – £9640 – is thirteen times the average cost of £736. Other professions which are hit hard by insurers include car valeters (£4,817), window cleaners (£4,607) and professional football apprentices (£4,038).
Gemma Stanbury, head of car insurance at Confused.com, said: “Whilst over the last year we have seen a drop in average car insurance prices by 9.8 per cent, there are still distinguishing factors that can affect the cost of your car premium. These factors include the type of car you drive, the area you live in, your age, your profession and your own driving history. Confused.com suggests that whatever a driver's profession, telematics can reduce the premium for careful drivers. It has a smartphone app which uses GPS to measure acceleration and braking and check for speeding. Smooth drivers who stick to the limit pay less than those who drive harshly and speed.
Recent research for The Evening Standard by the rival price comparison site, GoCompare.com, has pointed to another solution. Choosing carefully from similar job titles can cut a driver's premium. However, Kelly draws a distinction between choosing a job title with care and being dishonest. He said: "Although giving extra thought to your job title could save you money, it’s important that you are as honest and as accurate as possible in all aspects of your insurance application. "Being dishonest with your title, like saying you’re a civil servant when you’re actually a television presenter, may result in your insurance being invalidated or even cancelled, which will cost you a lot more than what you would save by misleading your insurer.”
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