I'm a fucking HOUSEWIFE?

[ToadinTheHoleWithKetchup]

Just had the car insurance renewal on DH's car. I am a named driver, and the details listed state that I am a 'housewife'. How the fuck is this even a category?

Every online form I've seen offers housewife/househusband or homemaker. I suppose they could get slightly high-tech if they wanted and specifically offer 'housewife' as an option to anybody whose name is Miss/Mrs/Ms and 'househusband' to a Mr- although that would just complicate things more if your a Dr or Prof etc.

It's purely about statistics and risk-based pricing. I believe that they tend to look negatively at 'unemployed' and quote higher premiums, because maybe unemployed people are statistically more likely on their books to make more claims - whether having more free time to drive around or (they may believe) are less careful than people in a stable job. They might also factor in you being possibly more likely to default on your monthly payments if you have a low income. Not saying they should, just that they might.

By declaring yourself to be housewife/househusband/homemaker, you're declaring that you're not in paid employment and aren't wanting to be - presumably because you are in an apparently stable relationship and have a husband/wife in a responsible job who earns for the family and the chances are that you have children and will be at home (or local) a lot with them. Essentially, they see it as much 'worthier' than being unemployed.

'Housewife' doesn't mean 'married to the house' - it's just shorthand for 'a wife who is based in the home' rather than an external workplace.

I do the insurance for both our cars, including the one I’m a named driver on. Insurers don’t care!

They don't care whether they have a valid contract?

I realise that, in MN-world, everybody is an isolated individual who shares nothing financial or responsibility-wise whatsoever with anybody, but in the real world, most married couples will tend to have one spouse who looks after insurances and the like for the whole family, with the cost of all insurances very likely coming from the one pool of family money. I deal with all car-related admin stuff for our two cars and technically, we are two distinct individuals who each own one car and happen to be a named driver on another; but in practice, we just have two joint family cars that either of us will use - like a great many couples, I expect.

if your a Dr or Prof etc

If you're - grrrr!

Someone must have input it.

Either it has a bearing on the risk in which case they will ask, or it doesn't in which case they won't.

There are usually multiple names for people at home with kids, as it does seem to be a sticky topic. Housewife (and househusband) houseperson, homemaker, that sort of thing.

I can't imagine any circs where they would randomly assign you a role.

OP... Can you tell us which insurer it was? No reason not to. I might be able to look into it.

So you're a housewife that doesn't want to be called a housewife so you've made up a fake job to save face? OK.

I'm guessing the job is joke-writer for Christmas crackers and submitting them on a freelance basis, with only those that dip well below an acknowledged standard of quality being accepted and paid for; so technically self-employed, but rather 'quiet' and at home a lot for the first 10 months of every year.

Housewife is not a job.

House husband is not a job.

Question would be worded appropriately. They need to capture eg student, retired, unemployed etc to assess risk.

There are usually multiple names for people at home with kids, as it does seem to be a sticky topic. Housewife (and househusband) houseperson, homemaker, that sort of thing.

Yes, once they know that you're not gainfully employed, they're basically trying to just find a tactful way of establishing if you're one of those ghastly feckless sort on the dole or a fine upstanding pillar of the middle-class community with a noble, esteemed husband (or wife) in middle management or above. As they (and their algorithms) see it, that is.

You cant just put self employed you have to put what field its in as job sectors can affect the premium and surely you or your husband took out the policy so filled in the details

Different occupations have different times spent driving etc.

It's all based on averages obv. They look at the claims experience for different occs and price accordingly.

The postcode thing is more about risk of theft etc EG a fancy car in an area with high levels of car theft would pay more.

The actuaries don't sit around making value judgements. They use data of which there is lots for motor insurance.

So it's MLM it looks like? I guess you could always ask the broker whether 'bullshit artist' or 'confidence trickster' would be less expensive.

OP you don't seem to understand what everyone is asking here?

What exactly is the problem?

• you were not asked your occupation and the insurers just guessed and put down housewife
• you/your husband selected the wrong occupation when arranging the insurance
• you selected housewife but take offence at the term?
• some other issue....

Im a housewife, I didn't realise it was such an insult - noted!

Can't you just tell them there is an error and ask them to update? I can't understand the outrage.

I'm always very happy to put housewife on insurance forms because it usually makes things cheaper.

Okay, work your brain cells. I am self employed. I am not lying, why would I?

My guess for the job is dominatrix. She's got the attitude for it. And it pays well I'm given to understand. I've got a 50 on it if we're running a pool (but probably journalist or troll, sadly)

@HistoriaTrixie

So it's MLM it looks like? I guess you could always ask the broker whether 'bullshit artist' or 'confidence trickster' would be less expensive.

I taught DD all about Ponzi schemes and pyramid selling yesterday. Very satisfying as her best mate's mum is an Arbonne/Tropic/Borg salewoman.

Since you didn't tell them you were a housewife of course YANBU. I'm not surprised, I have had (normally young, male) agents for things like insurance put down similar for me when I've been doing house administration and had to correct them. They have sometimes claimed it would lower premiums and I've had to point out that is fraud. I am a bit surprised it was housewife instead of homemaker, which I thought had become industry standard over the last decade or so, though (maybe only in the US).

Massive over reaction Op. If they'd had you down as a doctor I'm sure you'd have just called up and corrected it but you nose is out of joint because they put you down as something you consider less respectful than "self employed / business owner" etc. Really, chill. It was an inaccurate click on someone's keyboard

@brushandmop

Housewife is not a job.

House husband is not a job.

Which is why the term is usually “occupation”. As in, what occupies your time.

Domestic Engineer?
Ruler of all She Surveys?
Private Income?

I am at home, and I'm a mother, but housewife has so many connotations. Plus, I'm really crap at the parenting and housework parts. I'm awesome when I can work though.

I know!

Goddess/ Entrepreneur

I love that you are so offended!

I don’t get this if you filled in the insurance you are self employed so therefore not a house wife why didn’t you put self employed hairdresser Plumber etc even mlm could be classed as sales or are you getting arsey that housewife is even an option on the form ?? I’ve read 9 pages and still none the wiser what the problem is

But she’s not a housewife - she’s self employed. If you arranged the insurance yourself then either there’s an innocent mixup, or the insurance company thinks self employed is a euphemism.

Would seem fairly sinister if it’s the latter.

@ToadinTheHoleWithKetchup

OP I'm guessing you have another job.

I do not have another job, I have one job. This was not asked for when we took the insurance, I would have stated self employed.

I've been asked for occupations every single time i've got a car quote...for all the named drivers.

Kids old enough to drive so not a SAHM could you have put self employed as cleaner of your own home instead of home maker or housewife

I remember when I got married I wasn’t actually working as I was mid career change. I wanted them to put ‘unemployed’ but they wouldn’t because it didn’t look very nice apparently. They put something like ‘community volunteer’ 🤷🏻‍♀️