From the make and model of your vehicle to where it’s parked at night, many factors affect the price of car insurance.

However, drivers might not be aware of how much their careers can affect the cost of premiums.

Premium effects

New analysis from Vertu Motors has uncovered which professions are being hit hardest by insurance premiums.

Using government data, Vertu found that the average UK driver owned a nine-year-old Ford Fiesta, drove 7,400 miles annually, and has comprehensive car insurance with no claims.

A further analysis of a car comparison website revealed insurance premiums vary by occupation, with certain professionals paying significantly more.

What do you do?

While you may already be aware that car insurance costs are influenced by your vehicle and where you live, careers can significantly impact you.

Vertu’s research has calculated the cost to premiums of the 50 most common job titles in the UK.

This was done by applying for car insurance quotes for each of those occupations, using the following criteria for a typical UK driver who:

  • Owns a nine-year-old Ford Fiesta
  • Drives 7,400 miles a year
  • Has comprehensive car insurance with no claims

Who’s paying?

According to the study, delivery drivers pay the highest rates for their car insurance, facing annual premiums of £430 – which is £51 higher than the national average.

On average, painters, carpenters, plumbers, and builders are also paying more than £400 a year for their car insurance.

In fact, working in a trade is a common theme with high car insurance premiums, with scaffolders, joiners, electricians, roofers, and plasterers rounding out the top 10 most expensive occupations.

See the table below for the complete list of the 50 occupations we analysed in the research:

Rank Occupation Average Quote
#1 Delivery Driver £431
#2 Painter £407
#3 Carpenter £406
#4 Plumber £403
#5 Builder £401
#6 Scaffolder £399
#7 Joiner £398
#8 Electrician £397
#9 Roofer £395
#10 Plasterer £395
#11 Cleaner £394
#12 Upholsterer £393
#13 Farmer £392
#14 Labourer £391
#15 Chef £390
#16 Welder £390
#17 Landscape Gardener £389
#18 Plasterer £388
#19 Security Officer £384
#20 Hotel Worker £384
#21 Machinist £382
#22 Stonemason £381
#23 Security Guard £380
#24 Textile Worker £378
#25 Machine Operator £378
#26 Shop Keeper £376
#27 Assembly Worker £375
#28 Factory Manager £374
#29 Mobile Hairdresser £374
#30 Nurse £373
#31 Writer £373
#32 Locksmith £373
#33 Groundsman £372
#34 Barber £372
#35 Mechanic £371
#36 Fitness Instructor £371
#37 Hairdresser £368
#38 Housekeeper £368
#39 Fashion Designer £366
#40 Teacher £365
#41 Travel Agent £365
#42 Sales Manager £365
#43 Cashier £364
#44 IT Consultant £364
#45 Transport Controller £363
#46 Firefighter £361
#47 Truck Driver £358
#48 Lawyer £356
#49 Police Officer £351
#50 Office Manager £351

Tips to lower premiums

While certain occupations ultimately pay higher premiums on average, steps can be taken to reduce the cost of car insurance premiums.

The following may be particularly useful for new drivers.

1 – Compare car insurance quotes for the best rates

Shopping around is one of the most effective ways to lower your car insurance premiums. Different insurers offer varying rates, so comparing quotes from multiple providers is crucial to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your driving needs.

2 – Increase voluntary excess to lower premiums

Another way to bring down your premiums is by increasing your voluntary excess. You can often lower your monthly premium by agreeing to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim. Make sure the excess is affordable for you should you need to make a claim.

3 – Add a named driver to lower your premiums

Adding an experienced driver with a clean driving record to your policy may help reduce the cost of your insurance. Insurers may view the addition of a responsible, experienced driver as lowering the overall risk, which could result in cheaper premiums.

4 – Boost your vehicle’s safety features to save on insurance

Improving your vehicle’s safety features can also lead to lower premiums. Installing items such as dash cams, parking sensors, or GPS tracking systems can help reduce the perceived risk for insurers, potentially resulting in reduced premiums. These safety features make your vehicle less likely to be involved in accidents or stolen, which can be an appealing factor for insurers.

Ways and means

While specific careers may be a disadvantage when it comes to insurance costs, being proactive and exploring all available options can help secure a better deal.

Rephrasing job titles can also have an effect, and it can be worth trying different titles as long as they represent the driver’s true career.

It is also important to consider other factors such as the car model, excess and how and where to keep it overnight.

As with every other service, you must get quotes from different providers to compare prices, not rely on loyalty to reduce prices and even ring up the provider and haggle over prices.