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Don’t Crash and Burn your Motor Insurance Premium

• Insurance premiums could rise by over 60[1] per cent after an at-fault accident

• moneysupermarket.com reveals the best and worst professions for crashing

Motorists taking to the roads after an at-fault accident could see their insurance premiums hiked by over 60 per cent[1], says moneysupermarket.com.

Research based on 10 million user quotes from the UK’s leading price comparison site shows bus conductors and GPs as the professions most likely to crash[2]. It also reveals motor insurance premiums could rise and hit consumer pockets hard as a result of having an at-fault claim. 

Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com, said: “Being at fault in a car accident is terrifying enough for any motorist but with purse strings tightening all over the country a hike of over 60 per cent on premiums should make Brits think twice about running risks on the roads[1]. When an insurer risk assesses a driver, any history of accidents will no doubt mean motorists pay more.”

The research reassuringly shows driving examiners practise what they preach on the roads, with under 1.5 per cent responsible for motoring accidents.  Au pairs and magistrates are also low offenders according to the research.

At the other end of the scale, bus conductors are the most likely to crash while in their own cars (almost one in six or over 16 per cent), and Brits with careers related to health and well-being are also popular culprits. GPs, speech therapists, psychologists, keep fit instructors and surgeons are all amongst the professions most prone to crash.

Peter Gerrard added: “Driving examiners are clearly used to being extra vigilant on the roads and take one of the top spots in the list of professions least likely to cause an accident - it’s encouraging that new drivers are in safe hands! Worryingly it is the healthcare professionals who seem to be releasing their work-related stress when behind the wheel.”

– Ends –

Notes to editors:

[1] Insurance premiums before and after an at-fault crash:

Provider           Clean Licence           With Accident (£2,000 damage)           Percent increase
Swiftcover            £504.79                         £817.05                                                 38.22%
Quotea.co.uk        £526.99                         £1,398.74                                              62.32%
LV=                      £651.44                        £1,466.20                                              55.57%
More Th>n           £718.70                         £1,255.74                                              42.77%
Swinton                £774.64                         £1,173.38                                              33.98%
Average                £635.31                         £1,222.22                                              47%

40 year old male (Bus Conductor) in Manchester.
Driving a Ford Focus LX, 10,000 miles a year. Parked on driveway.
Sourced by www.moneysupermarket.com 29.10.2008
                                               
[2] Professions most and least likely to crash:

Those most likely to have an at-fault accident

16.30% Bus Conductor
14.21% Metallurgist
14.14% General Practitioner
12.57% Psychologist
12.54% Speech Therapist
12.35% Keep Fit Instructor
11.83% Surgeon
11.65% Nuclear Scientist
11.57% Barrister
11.43% Draughtsman
11.42% Party Planner
11.13% Claims Assessor
11.09% Fund Raiser
11.06% Underwriter
11.05% Furniture Dealer
10.91% Air Cabin Crew
10.86% Town Planner
10.85% Immigration Officer
10.73% Quantity Surveyor
10.67% Archaeologist

Those least likely to have an at-fault accident

0.36% Engraver
0.72% Horse Dealer
0.78% Zoologist
1.10% Milliner
1.14% Butler
1.38% Golf Caddy
1.39% Anthropologist
1.41% Driving Examiner
1.41% Au Pair
1.52% Cobbler
1.65% Magistrate
1.72% Botanist
1.73% Bingo Hall Staff
1.90% Chimney Sweep
2.07% Ice Cream Vendor
2.08% Member of Parliament
2.16% Taxidermist
2.70% Gravedigger
2.78% Tobacconist
2.82% Abattoir Worker

Figures taken from 10 million quotes on moneysupermarket.com this year. A minimum of 100 people in each profession must have had a quote and have at least two years’ driving experience

For further information, please contact:
Jeena Nadarajan / Katherine Hobby / Lucy Banks / Jennifer Stevens
Lansons Communications
020 7490 8828
ms-insurance@lansons.com 

Peter Gerrard
Head of insurance research
07876 341933
peter.gerrard@moneysupermarket.com  

Nicki Parry
PR officer
0787 237 9549
nicola.parry@moneysupermarket.com

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