Fortis was the best work provider to be employed by in 2007, according to a poll by the Auto Body Professionals (ABP) Club.

The insurer took a quarter of the votes, up from 16% last year. RBS Insurance was second with 23%, a vast improvement on its 6% in 2005. Allianz came third, gaining 17.5%, up from 10% in 2006.

At the other end of the scale, Norwich Union took only 7.5% in the most recent poll, down from 34% in 2005 and 26% in 2006.

Zurich has also lost popularity, getting 7% of the votes for the last two years, compared to 34% in 2005.

The poll was voted for by ABP Club members and excludes work providers’ own retail-derived work.

The club said comparisons were not entirely on a like-for-like basis, but do indicate the way the market feels.