A high-risk occupation is a job or profession where, through the nature of the work, there is a higher risk to have a serious accident. Examples of high-risk occupations would be those in the defence force and police; demolition work; labour organizations; mining and security companies. Certain professional sports are also classified as high-risk, as well as journalism and people in the entertainment industry.

People in high-risk occupations will pay much higher rates for life and disability insurance. Usually the type of job you do will not have a significant effect on your car insurance premiums, unless you are a professional racing driver. If you do fall into a high-risk occupation group and use your car for business you will pay more for insurance.

The reasoning behind some occupations being classed a high insurance risk is based on factors such as driving at night, or under time pressure. Any car used for business purposes must be insured under a business category in any case and the premiums are higher than for private use.

A professional service provider such as a medical practitioner or architect can pay up the 30% more for comprehensive car insurance than the salary worker. This has now been acknowledged as unfair by some insurance companies who now charge the same rate.