Does My Occupation Affect Car Insurance Premiums?

13/05/2025 13:38 Share

Does My Occupation Affect Car Insurance Premiums?

While you may already be aware that car insurance costs are influenced by your vehicle and where you live, did you know that your job may also impact your premiums too?

According to our very own research, certain professions pay more for their car insurance every year, with differences of hundreds of pounds in some cases.

In this article, we will talk through the occupations that pay the most for their premiums, as well as some tips for keeping car insurance costs down.

Our methodology: Calculating the cost of car insurance

To find out how much each profession pays for their premiums, we pulled the 50 most common job titles in the UK. We then applied 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

We then sorted the quotes into a table, ranked from most expensive to cheapest 

Which professions pay the most for their car insurance?

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

Painters, carpenters, plumbers, and builders are also paying more than £400 a year, on average, 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 full list of the 50 occupations we analysed in our research:

How to lower your car insurance premiums

While certain occupations do ultimately pay higher premiums on average, there are steps you can take to reduce the cost of your car insurance premiums, such as:

1 - Compare car insurance quotes for the best rates

One of the most effective ways to lower your car insurance premiums is by shopping around. Different insurers offer varying rates, so it's crucial to compare quotes from multiple providers 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. By agreeing to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim, you can often lower your monthly premium. Just make sure the excess is affordable for you, should you need to make a claim.

3 - Add a named driver to lower your premiums

If you add an experienced driver with a clean driving record to your policy, it 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.

So, while your job may put you at a disadvantage when it comes to insurance costs, being proactive and exploring all available options can help you secure a better deal.

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