Insurance
Builder or bricklayer: how your job title can save you money on car insurance
Brits could save hundreds of pounds on their car insurance a year, simply by paying close attention to the job title they select when applying for cover.
According to a report by Gocompare.com, your occupation is one of the things insurers consider when working out the cost of your car insurance premium.
But it’s not just what you do that can affect how much you pay, it’s also the job title you use to describe it.
The report says that despite insurers having pre-defined job titles for someone seeking cover to choose from, there may be more than one job title that accurately describes what someone does.
So, a bricklayer may naturally consider themselves to be a builder or a construction worker with little difference between the titles. However, the research found, the average premium for a construction worker was around £89 more than that of a bricklayer.
Scott Kelly, head of motor at Gocompare.com said: “When meeting new people or talking to friends we’re sometimes guilty of making what we do for a living sound more impressive than it actually is.
“But when it comes to your car insurance, the way you describe your job can make a big difference to the price you pay for your cover. That’s why when looking for insurance it’s worth considering what your job role is and which of the titles available best describe what you do.”
Retired, full time parents and homemakers should select those options and not say they are unemployed or out of work, as typically unemployed drivers face higher insurance costs than homemakers or retirees.
Kelly added: “But remember, that while trying different job titles could save you significantly, it’s important to be as honest and as accurate as possible when it comes to your insurance.
“Being dishonest with your job title, like saying you’re a teacher when you’re actually a Premiership footballer, could result in any claims you make being rejected or even your insurance being cancelled, which will prove far more costly than what you’ll save by playing fast and loose with your job description.”
The results below show price differences across similar job titles throughout range of professions:
Building & construction
| Construction worker | Builder | Bricklayer | |
| Average car insurance price | £781.70 | £745.96 | £692.63 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £601.41 | £601.41 | £592.07 |
Journalism
| Editorial staff | Reporter | Journalist | Editor | |
| Average car insurance price | £647.39 | £676.58 | £686.84 | £696.93 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £514.49 | £538.83 | £538.83 | £551.31 |
Education
| Teacher | Lecturer | College lecturer | Music teacher | |
| Average car insurance price | £516.79 | £551.76 | £599.39 | £602.42 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £502.32 | £538.83 | £520.09 | £534.21 |
Food & catering
| Kitchen worker | Kitchen staff | Catering staff | Caterer | Chef | |
| Average car insurance price | £691.58 | £691.58 | £698.63 | £730.09 | £790 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £563.20 | £563.20 | £576.35 | £576.35 | £685.03 |
Office workers
| Office administrator | Clerical assistant | Clerical officer | Office manager | |
| Average car insurance price | £539.96 | £587.03 | £587.03 | £592.94 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £520.79 | £506.69 | £506.69 | £538.83 |
Entertainers
| Dancer | Exotic dancer | |
| Average car insurance price | £802.88 | £981.47 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £576.35 | £900.39 |
Other
| Retired | Unemployed | Full time parent | |
| Average car insurance price | £634.89 | £916.56 | £668.92 |
| Cheapest quote returned | £526.34 | £626.48 | £538.83 |
source: gocompare.com
