Confused.com reveals the careers driving crashes

Confused.com research has revealed that, despite the fact they should be the most savvy of all professions, when it comes to accidents and injuries, GPs are actually the most hazardous drivers in the UK.

The new study found that GPs top the table as the occupation with the highest number of car insurance claims with 33% of those registered with the price comparison site claiming in the past year.

Furthermore, those in a medical profession appeared most frequently in the top ten (50%). Closely following GPs were; psychologists (30%), district nurses (30%), hospital doctors (29%) and dentists (27%).

Even having 20-20 eyesight doesn't seem to mean drivers are exempt from a crash - opticians proved a sight for sore eyes with 27% claiming for an incident in the last 12 months. Law-abiding policemen joined them in the top 20 with 26% making a claim.

When it comes to salary, high earners such as solicitors and accountants are most likely to make a claim, contributing to 65% of the top 20. In contrast, manual labourers appear to be the safest drivers with 85% of the bottom 20 made up of carpet fitters, decorators and plasterers. Other 'safe' drivers from the manual labour industries include farm workers (10%), construction workers (10%), painter/decorators (11%) and mechanics (11%). Car valeters came out as the least likely to make a claim with only 8% putting in the paperwork last year.

Will Thomas, head of Motor Insurance at Confused.com said, "The findings really challenge perceptions of motorist profiles. Typically, people would expect a painter, decorator or the 'White Van Man' to be more likely to have an accident than a doctor or accountant but the survey shows quite the opposite. It's also rather interesting that five medical professions appear in the top ten. Perhaps the long hours and work related stress associated with such professions might explain their diminishing attention levels whilst on the road. What's ultimately important is that drivers choose the right insurance policy for their lifestyle so that they're adequately covered should an accident happen."

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Notes to Editors:

Research Methodology
Data is based on 2000 respondents from Confused.com quotes between 18th October 2009 and 18th October 2010. To avoid bias only customers over 25 and with vehicle values of less than £15,000 are considered.

About Confused.com
Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance.

Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com's service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.
 
Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.

For the full research findings or further media information, please contact:
Kelly Davies
Friary house
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff
CF103AE
02920 434 398
www.confused.com