Sometimes logic can play tricks on you. If you were to warrant a guess as to what profession accounts for the most dangerous drivers, what would it be? In this case, the answer might shock you.
Research released last week from
According to the study, physicians topped the list of professions with the highest number of car insurance claims (33%) of those registered with the price comparison site who had submitted a claim in the past year.
Additionally, medical professionals appeared most frequently in Confused.com's top 10—taking up half the slots—with psychologists (30%), district nurses (30%), hospital doctors (29%) and dentists (27%) all making the list.
Continuing to cast logic to the wind, opticians (27%)—people you would assume would have a keen eye on the road—placed a claim in the past 12 months. Law enforcement joined them in the top 20, as 26% reported filing a claim.
When looking at salary as a differentiator, high earners such as solicitors and accountants are most likely to make a claim, contributing to 65% of the top 20. But in direct contrast to this, manual laborers were among the UK's safest drivers—85% of the study's bottom 20 was comprised of carpet fitters, decorators and plasterers.
Other "safe" drivers from manual labor industries include farm workers (10%), construction workers (10%), painter/decorators (11%) and mechanics (11%). Perhaps putting logic back in its proper place, Car valeters were the profession least likely to make a claim with only 8% putting in the paperwork last year.
"The findings really challenge perceptions of motorist profiles," says Will Thomas, head of motor insurance at Confused.com. "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 10. 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."
Confused.com's data is based on 2,000 respondents from Confused.com quotes between Oct. 18, 2009, and Oct. 18, 2010. To avoid bias, only customers over the age of 25 with vehicle that weigh less than 15,000 pounds Sterling were considered for the study.
