It's common knowledge that vicars have among the lowest car insurance rates. In the US, there are loads of 'churches' who will award you a Doctor of Divinity degree in return for a donation - prices start at $40. This piece of paper entitles you to carry out your own ministry and put D.D. after your name, or 'The Reverend' in front of it. It's not illegal, Ian Paisley's only justification for calling himself 'The Reverend' is one of these bought-in degrees. Suppose you get one and apply for car insurance as a 'minister of religion'? This is not entirely tongue-in-cheek - what exactly would the problem be? When they ask who you actually minister to, you get family and mates to back you up. Hmm!

But if they do find out that you dont actually run a church or whatever the insurance could become void, meaning your up sh*t creek without a paddle if you have a smash.

You have to be a 'Reverend' run a church, but you don't have to run a church to be a 'Reverend'. Ian Paisley is the example - he never ran a church, but what do you think he's called on his car insurance? Obviously, you don't want void insurance, but on what grounds could they void you? You ARE a 'Reverend' and you have a certificate to say so.

Edited 1 September, 200719 yr by labougie

Yes, but the insurance company is asking what you do for a living, not what title you have. Therefore, by declaring yourself as a reverend, you are saying that is your livelihood. I have a title, but it makes absolutely no difference to my insurance whatsoever, because the insurance company are interested only in my occupation.

Is it worth the risk of getting screwed over if you have a crash and they find out just for a lil' bit cheaper insurance?

Gotta weigh it up..

Yes, but the insurance company is asking what you do for a living, not what title you have. Therefore, by declaring yourself as a reverend, you are saying that is your livelihood. I have a title, but it makes absolutely no difference to my insurance whatsoever, because the insurance company are interested only in my occupation.

You're right of course - the application forms used to ask for your title but I just looked at a few on the net and they don't seem to any more. Shame - I wasn't suggesting that you should lie about your occupation but if you were unemployed, you'd still be an unemployed minister of religion.

Insurance is cheap as crisps for the over 70s anyway,Lab

Over 80s, please! Just fancy being a D.D. for the giggle value!

I wouldnt do it. By all means declare yourself a Rev., but dont lie to insurance companies. They check all sorts of shit if you have a smash.

A customer we deal with at work from time to time has one of these reverend titles off the internet, he signs all his emails "The Reverend .....", quite funny really.

As for insurance, it might get you a couple of quid off the price but any insurance company will do anything in their power to avoid paying you any money in the event of a claim, don't give them such a simple excuse as lying about things on your policy. It's wrong in my eyes that they put so much of a premium on to jobs they think are high risk, it's just another excuse to charge more.

You could always start your own limited company for 50 quid, then you could legally say you were a managing director of a company.

managing directors and stuff are higher insurance aren't they?

I've got no idea wasn't really any cheaper for me when I tried it though, but its a bit more legal than pretending to be a priest lol.

Edited 4 September, 200719 yr by Jmz