The new study found that GPs top the table as the occupation with the highest number of car insurance claims, with 33% of those registered with the price comparison site claiming in the past year.

Furthermore, those in a medical profession appeared most frequently in the top ten (50%). Closely following GPs were; psychologists (30%), district nurses (30%), hospital doctors (29%) and dentists (27%).

Meanwhile opticians proved a sight for sore eyes, with 27% claiming for an incident in the last 12 months. Law-abiding policemen joined them in the top 20, with 26% making a claim.

When it comes to salary, high earners such as solicitors and accountants are most likely to make a claim, contributing to 65% of the top 20. In contrast, manual labourers appear to be the safest drivers, with 85% of the bottom 20 made up of carpet fitters, decorators and plasterers. Other "safe" drivers from the manual labour industries include farm workers (10%), construction workers (10%), painter/decorators (11%) and mechanics (11%). Car valeters came out as the least likely to make a claim with only 8% putting in the paperwork last year.

Will Thomas, head of Motor Insurance at Confused.com, said: 'The findings really challenge perceptions of motorist profiles. Typically, people would expect a painter, decorator or the "White Van Man" to be more likely to have an accident than a doctor or accountant but the survey shows quite the opposite. It's also rather interesting that five medical professions appear in the top ten. Perhaps the long hours and work-related stress associated with such professions might explain their diminishing attention levels whilst on the road.'