Insurers like teachers. Whatever anyone might say about the status of the profession, when it comes to buying insurance, teachers can walk tall. This means cheaper premiums - and discounts.

So why should teachers be the insurers’ sweethearts?

For car insurance, for example, they’re seen as responsible grown-ups. “Teachers are a lower-risk profession. They’re more likely to be a sensible type of person. And because they’re in school, they’re limited in how much they drive during the week,” says a spokesperson for AA Finance.

This might seem like stereotyping, but insurance is a cold-blooded assessment of risk using all the information available. According to Eagle Star, teachers are perceived as honest, less likely to drive high-powered cars and, “importantly, the average cost per claim for car insurance is lower for teachers compared to the general public”. Lower risk means lower premiums.

The honesty factor should not be underestimated. Fraud is a huge problem. The Association of British Insurers says about 10 per cent of motor insurance and 15 per cent of household claims are fraudulent, amounting to pound;1 billion in dodgy claims last year. Even more alarmingly, in a survey, two out of three policyholders said they would submit a false claim if they thought they could get away with it.

Check out the special offers negotiated through the unions. The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers offers a range of personal insurance in partnership with Endsleigh; the Secondary Heads Association, through Norwich Union. Union membership can include insurance. For example, NASUWT members automatically have a level of personal accident and malicious damage insurance.

As well as checking prices, look to see what teacher-friendly details are included. Eagle Star’s car insurance, for example, includes cover for school trips and taking sick children home, as well as carrying school equipment in your own car.

Insurance also offers a depressing insight into school life. Among the most common claims from teachers are “malicious damage and theft of car parts” - which translates as cars being vandalised while parked outside school.

But you’re off to a good start in insurance terms - according to the AA, a Ford Focus-driving teacher in the Home Counties might pay pound;219 a year, while an actor with the same details would have to find pound;480. But your job is only part of the calculation. Other factors have a greater influence, such as where you live and your previous claims history. Premiums reflect a mosaic of different factors. For car insurance, women are a safer risk than men, younger men are a higher risk than older men, sports cars are higher risk than family saloons, and so on.

But every insurance company will have a different weighting system, so shop around - don’t take the first quote you’re offered.

s.coughlan@virgin.net