Crash! The Doctor (or Laywer) Did It!

January 15, 2010

When considering how to get auto insurance discounts many of us are advised to ask about credits or discounts based on what we do. Teachers, for example, often earn insurance discounts.

Would it surprise you to know that there are also occupations that can cause your insurance to increase? It’s true, according to information compiled last year by Quality Planning Corp, a company that provides research support to the insurance industry. They’ve amassed data on the rate that people in different professions tend to have car crashes – and Doctors and Lawyers topped the list.

Who else do you want to avoid while driving? Here’s the top ten list of the most car accident prone professions, based on annual crash rates per one thousand members of each profession.

  1. Doctors: 109 accidents and 44 speeding tickets. Too many hours on their feet, or too many distractions?
  2. Lawyers: 106 accidents and 37 speeding tickets. And you can bet, they’re likely to sue if they don’t believe they’re at-fault.
  3. Architects: 105 accidents and 72 speeding tickets. Somehow, I don’t see them racing to an architectural emergency, drafting pencils in hand.
  4. Realtors: 102 accidents and 39 speeding tickets. Maybe they need to focus on the road instead of the deal?
  5. Enlisted Military Personnel: 99 accidents and 78 speeding tickets. Leftover adrenaline, maybe?
  6. Social Workers: 98 accidents and 33 speeding tickets. Apparently they’re too wrapped up with the concerns of their charges, to take charge on the road.
  7. Manual Laborers: 96 accidents and 77 speeding tickets. Okay, we know you’re paid by the hour, but… (Seriously, this may be due to long hours, and commutes in low-light conditions.)
  8. Analysts: 95 accidents and 40 speeding tickets. Put the calculator down, and pay attention to the road.
  9. Engineers: 94 accidents and 51 speeding tickets. Shouldn’t they understand the concept of objects in motion?
  10. Consultants: 94 accidents and 50 speeding tickets. Take some advice: consult your speedometer and the view out your windshield from time to time.

Of course, these professions merely represent the top ten. Others that made the list, but aren’t ranked quite so highly (or is that poorly, all things condsidered?) are: accountants, politicians, firemen, law enforcement personnel, salespeople, librarians, nurses and dentists.