Car insurance job titles: Why they matter and how to save

Why do car insurance companies ask for my job title?

Your job title helps insurers assess risk. Alongside your age, location and car, it gives them a picture of how you use it and how often you drive.

Certain jobs suggest you might spend more time driving or be out during riskier times. For example, a 'Fast Food Delivery Driver' is likely to be out and about during lunch rushes or late nights. Compare that to a 'Local Authority Employee', who probably works set hours in one place and drives a lot less.

Insurers also look at your class of use such as social, social & commuting, or business use. Your job often determines which of these applies. Find out how car insurance is calculated.

What are the cheapest and most expensive job titles for car insurance?

There’s no one cheapest job title for everyone, but Confused.com data* shows that some roles consistently get lower prices than others.

Top 10 most expensive job titles 

These roles are often linked to younger drivers or higher mileage, which can increase the risk of claims.

Top 10 cheapest job titles

These tend to be office-based or senior roles with more predictable driving patterns.

If you're looking for a cheaper quote try selecting a more specific job title that still accurately describes what you do for work. For example, 'Fast Food Caterer' pays £1,566 on average, but 'Caterer' pays £845. That's a potential saving of £721.*

Just don’t make something up to get a lower price; that’s insurance fraud and could invalidate your cover. There are other ways you can save money on your car insurance.

Is 'unemployed' a high-risk job title?

Sometimes, 'unemployed' can be seen as higher risk by insurers, especially if there’s no fixed routine or secure parking. That can push prices up, with Confused.com data showing an average annual premium of £992.68.*

But if another term more accurately reflects your situation, you might get a better deal:

• If you're retired, choose 'Retired'. Drivers in this group pay around £346.16 on average.
• If 'Housewife' or 'Homemaker' better fits your circumstances, the average premium is £628.93.
• If you’ve recently left work, some insurers let you select your former job title followed by 'Retired'. For example, if you were a teacher, 'Retired Teacher' (if available) could reflect your background more clearly and may be rated more favourably than 'unemployed'.

The key is to be accurate and truthful. But it’s worth checking all the options that genuinely describe your situation.

How to pick the best job title when getting a quote

When using a car insurance job picker or car insurance job title checker, the most important thing is to always be truthful. If you pick a title that doesn’t genuinely reflect what you do, your insurer could refuse to pay out.

But that doesn’t mean you only have one option. Job title lists vary between insurers, so it’s worth trying a few close, accurate alternatives to see if there’s a price difference. Just make sure all the options still apply to your day-to-day role. For example, editor vs writer vs copywriter, or builder vs construction worker vs bricklayer.

What to do if your job title isn’t listed

If you're self-employed or your job has a niche title, try to find the nearest match that accurately describes what you do.  For instance, 'Front-End UI Specialist' might not be listed, but 'Web Developer' could be a better fit.

Can I change my job title mid-policy?

Yes, but tell your insurer first. Any change in your job or title is a change in circumstances and needs to be reported.

Just be aware that changing your job title might affect your price, and insurers often charge an admin fee. So check your policy or call your provider to check.

Is it legal to adjust my job title when buying car insurance?

Yes, as long as it’s accurate. If you have more than one option that reflects your work, choose the one that gives the best price. But don’t bend the truth. Confused.com data shows one small tweak can save you a lot of money. For example, the average annual premium for 'Mechanic' is £1,462, but 'Mechanical Engineer' is £707. That’s a saving of £755* - just by picking the more specific (and still accurate!) option. So it’s worth looking at the options available. 

_{*All data based on quotes made by Confused.com customers between July and September 2025. Prices based on the average median price displayed. The top and bottom 10 occupations were selected based on a minimum of 2,000 quotes per occupation. ‘Alternative’ occupations may include roles where fewer than 2,000 quotes were returned.}