Research has shown a 32-year-old footballer with a maximum no claims bonus, living in London and driving a Ford Mondeo LX can expect to pay an average of £1,348 to insure his vehicle.

But a male secretary with the same profile, driving the same car, will pay just £501 on average, according to insurance comparison website Confused.com

The group, which compared insurance premiums for people working in different professions with this profile across 13 UK insurers, found comedians and stunt men could also expect to pay over the odds for cover at an average of £1,113 and £1,069 respectively.

Other professions that faced high insurance premiums included mini-cab drivers, journalists, builders, cleaners, mechanics and driving instructors.

At the other end of the scale, police officers benefited from the second-lowest premiums, paying an average of just £574 to insure a Ford Mondeo, followed by computer consultants at £578.

Paramedics, bank managers, doctors, lawyers, teachers and firemen also all had below-average car insurance premiums.

Debra Williams, managing director of Confused.com, said: "Insurers assess risk in many different ways, one of which is profession.

"While one insurer may have a terrible claims history for footballers, another may not.

"This is why it is always vital to shop around for insurance to ensure that you are not being unfairly penalised for the driving habits of others within your profession.

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