What is the cheapest occupation for car insurance in the UK?
02/10/0205
Last Updated: 2 September 2025
Read time: 5 minutes
Written by: Lauren McAfee
Insurance Writer and Editor
Reviewed by: Mark McKeown
Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines
Here at Quotezone, we’ve analysed our data against a car insurance occupation list to identify the jobs that receive the highest and lowest insurance quotes.
Retirees enjoy some of the cheapest premiums in the UK, paying an average of £492 a year. Warehouse workers saw the highest costs at £1,372 a year.
Discover how your occupation affects your car insurance costs, and see where your job ranks below.
Does occupation affect car insurance?
Yes, although almost a quarter of UK drivers are unaware of this. While your occupation matters, it’s just one of many factors insurers use to set premiums. So even if you’re in a job with high premiums, there are other ways to reduce your costs.
Other factors affecting the cost of your car insurance include
- Your age
- Where you live
- Your driving history
- The car you are insuring
- The car’s security
- How you plan to use the car
- Your annual mileage
- Your no-claims bonus
- The coverage you choose
- When you shop for your policy
Why does your job affect your car insurance?
Insurance providers sort jobs into car insurance occupation categories to help set prices. These categories group jobs based on risk data that shows how likely someone in a specific job is to make a claim.
This risk can be higher in professions with longer hours, higher stress, or more physical work. Jobs that require you to be on the road during rush hour are also linked to more accidents and claims, which can lead to higher premiums.
What occupation has the most expensive car insurance?
Our experts analysed cost data from 100’000 real customers across the 20 most popular jobs in the UK. Results revealed that warehouse workers have the highest car insurance premiums, followed by healthcare assistants and chefs.
The data highlights how costs can vary significantly even between jobs in the same sector. For example, healthcare assistants pay an average of £1,343. This is nearly double the £741 paid by nurses.
| Job title | Average car insurance premium | Difference from the national average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warehouse worker | £1,371.67 | +39% |
| 2 | Healthcare Assistant | £1,343.13 | +36% |
| 3 | Chef | £1,279.44 | +30% |
| 4 | Sales Assistant | £1,240.68 | +26% |
| 5 | Shop Assistant | £1,193.98 | +21% |
| 6 | Accountant | £1,148.91 | +17% |
| 7 | Customer Advisor | £1,148.55 | +16% |
| 8 | Cleaner | £1,110.66 | +13% |
| 9 | Unemployed | £1,036.09 | +5% |
| 10 | Company Director | £997.95 | +1% |
What is the cheapest occupation for car insurance in the UK?
HGV drivers, civil servants, and teachers are among the jobs with the lowest car insurance premiums. For HGV drivers, this may reflect their experience on the road or advanced driving qualifications.
Premiums also vary for those who are not currently working. Retired drivers pay the lowest premiums at just £492, while the unemployed people face costs of £1,036. These examples show how your employment can have a significant impact on insurance.
| Job title | Average car insurance premium | Difference from the national average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retired | £492.08 | -50% |
| 2 | HGV Driver | £580.57 | -41% |
| 3 | Civil Servant | £589.12 | -40% |
| 4 | Teacher | £664.12 | -33% |
| 5 | Nurse | £741.16 | -25% |
| 6 | Administration Assistant | £825.46 | -16% |
| 7 | Houseperson (Housewife or Househusband) | £838.43 | -15% |
| 8 | Assistant Teacher | £874.45 | -11% |
| 9 | Delivery Driver | £966.50 | -2% |
| 10 | Factory Worker | £971.17 | -1% |
Can I change my job title to save money on my car insurance?
61%* of UK drivers have never tried adjusting their job title to save on car insurance. Yet, the wording of specific job titles could lower your premium.
Among those who have used this approach, over 60%* report saving on their insurance. So this is a viable method of cutting costs, but it must be done carefully.
Any alternative title you choose must still accurately describe the day-to-day roles and responsibilities of your job. Stretching the truth too far could invalidate your cover, leaving you unprotected in an accident or at risk of penalties for driving uninsured. Worryingly, nearly a third of UK drivers were unaware of this risk.*
There are safer ways to reduce insurance costs. For example, buying insurance at the right time could save you up to 45% without risking your policy. Other methods, like parking in a safer location, like a driveway rather than on the road, can also save you up to £140 a year.
FAQS
Do I need to tell my insurer if I am no longer working?
Yes, you must inform your insurer if you’re unemployed, as it affects your risk profile. It may be tempting to avoid this, especially if it could increase your premium, but failing to notify them can invalidate your coverage.
Does working from home affect my car insurance?
You could have cheaper premiums, as cutting out commuting lowers your risk. Make sure this is reflected in your usage cover and annual mileage, and always inform your insurer of significant changes in driving patterns.
Do I have to let an insurer know if I change jobs?
Yes. Different jobs come with different risk profiles, so you must inform your insurer. Failing to do this could invalidate your policy, leaving you unprotected in the event of an accident.
Will an insurer ask for proof of my occupation?
While insurers usually don’t request formal proof of your job, you must still be accurate and truthful when choosing a job title. Misrepresenting your occupation, even unintentionally, could invalidate your policy if a claim arises.
What do I do if I have more than one job?
You will need to make this clear to your insurer, or risk problems when making a claim. It is your responsibility to provide accurate and truthful answers in response to insurer’s information requests.
How can I find cheaper car insurance if I’m in a higher risk occupation?
You can save by comparing quotes, buying at the right time, parking in safer locations, or adjusting your coverage. These steps can reduce costs without affecting your insurance validity. See the full guide on how to save on car insurance.
Survey results – Does your job affect car insurance?
| Did you know your job title can affect your car insurance price? | |
| Yes | 66% |
| No | 24% |
| Not applicable | 9% |
| Have you ever tried multiple variations of your job title to see if it reduces your car insurance cost? | |
| No | 61% |
| Yes | 22% |
| Not applicable | 17% |
| If yes, were you able to find savings? | |
| Yes | 61% |
| No | 37% |
| Not applicable | 2% |
| Did you know that having an inaccurate job title on your policy could actually invalidate your insurance? | |
| Yes | 55% |
| No | 31% |
| Not applicable | 14% |
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Sources
*Survey – Quotezone.co.uk’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during September 2024, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.
Quotezone.co.uk data sample of 100,000 car insurance policies from Q2 2024.
This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.