GPs are the most likely people to make a claim following an at-fault collision, with despatch drivers among those which are least likely, research from GoCompare Insurance has found.

Around one in eight (12.4%) of GPs have made at least one at-fault claim in the past year, more tha double the national average of 6% across all occupations.

Along with GPs, hospital consultants (11.5%), hospital doctors (10.7%), surgeons (10.5%), health visitors (10.4%), optometrists (9.9%) and speech therapists (9.9%) all feature in the top 10 drivers, by occupation, who are most likely to be in a no injuries collision that was their fault.

At the other end of the scale, those least likely to make at-fault claims were barmen/barmaids (2.3%), pickers (2.3%), packers (2.6%), carpet cleaners (2.7%), despatch drivers (2.7%) and car dealers (3.0%).

Matt Oliver, spokesperson for GoCompare Car Insurance, said: “It may seem ironic that those working in the medical profession are those potentially causing the most accidents, but these are all roles which carry a significant degree of stress and usually long hours, potentially leading to a lack of concentration on the road.

“Further to this, another reason we could be seeing these occupations in the top 10 is because of where these health professionals are driving. Typically, they will be driving for short periods, at peak times in highly built-up areas, increasing the risk of an accident.

“Driving while stressed, tired or angry can easily lead to accidents and if it is deemed you were at fault for an accident due to negligence behind the wheel, your insurer may not pay out for a potential claim and you could even face criminal prosecution."

Top 10                                                                                                                      

1	General practitioner	12.4%
2	Claims adjustor	11.9%
3	Hospital consultant	11.5%
4	Hospital doctor	10.7%
5	Surgeon	10.5%
6	Health visitor	10.4%
7	Mortgage broker	10.3%
8	Optometrist	9.9%
9	Speech therapist	9.9%
10	Insurance consultant	9.76%

Bottom 10 

1	Barman	2.3%
2	Picker	2.3%
3	Packer	2.6%
4	Carpet cleaner	2.7%
5	Despatch driver	2.7%
6	Car dealer	3.0%
7	Car wash attendant	3.0%
8	Painter	3.2%
9	Garage manager	3.4%
10	Book seller	3.5%