Skip to content
science teacher header image

How Does Your Job Impact Your Auto Insurance Rates?

    2 minute read

    Car insurance companies determine rates based on mathematical formulas that calculate risk regarding a variety of factors. Among these are how long you’ve been driving a vehicle, where you live and your driving history. However, other factors, such as occupation can also impact your auto insurance rates. What you do for a living can either cost you more or provide you with auto insurance discounts in California.

    Are You in a High-Risk Job?

    Let’s start with the obvious occupations that many of us would agree breed higher than average risk drivers. Anyone involved in professional sports or the entertainment business is going to have higher auto insurance rates. Some carriers may not accept these high profile individuals at all. Aside from these occupations, insurers look at professions that place people on the road more than a typical occupation. Jobs such as real estate agent, lawyer, doctor, architect and salesperson make that list. Depending on their occupation, these drivers may want to look into business auto insurance.

    Low-Risk Jobs

    Auto insurance discounts in californiaIf you’re looking for auto insurance discounts in California, you may qualify for some just by having the right type of job. Many insurers have found that some occupations produce statistically lower rates of accidents. Among the jobs that will get you the best rates are nurses, pilots, artists, scientists, accountants and teachers. In fact, teachers were found to be some of the safest vehicle operators, labeling them “low-risk” drivers. These types of discounts may require you to prove your membership in a professional group. Other discounts are based on a specific type of college degree.

    Other Factors

    It’s become clear that education level also plays a role in auto insurance discounts and rates. Two groups did similar studies on this several years ago and both came up with the same conclusions. One of the studies, by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), found that in five major U.S. cities, carriers were providing discounts for both level of education and occupation. In some cities, those discounts were as high as 45%.

    Get Auto Insurance Discounts

    When shopping for the best auto insurance rates, discounts are important. It’s true that AIS offers auto insurance discounts in California for certain professions. But there’s also discounts available for safe drivers, good students and cars with approved anti-theft devices. Contact us to learn about our insurance discounts. Then, start a free quote for affordable California auto insurance.


    The information in this article is obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. It should not replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms, and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. Such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.