Insurance and criminal record

wazza

As far as i recall when you take out a new insurance policy they ask you if you have a criminal record. Am i right in saying that they are only interested in fraud or arson?

Had a call from a friend today. She told me she read an article which stated that if you or your family member have a criminal record then it can affect your insurance policy. She does not have a criminal record but her son has. He was sent down for a year for assaulting someone. She rang her insurers who asked her to send in writing his criminal record and they will look into it.

I had always assumed that the criminal record history only applied to the policy holder and not their family.

Quentin

They want to know about all unspent convictions, including those of anyone resident at the property.

wazza

Do you know for which offences they will decline you insurance?

KSoni

I would reveal all such criminal information. ad in a newspaper about a lady whose insurance was cancelled after a big payout on her claim and insurance company demanded the full payout back as she forgot to mention some details at the time taking out the insurance. I think, with the insurance companie, disclosure is the best policy. I might be wrong though.

mattymoo

wazza wrote: »

Do you know for which offences they will decline you insurance?

Fraud, arson and theft / burglary type offences are a major no-no for a lot of insurers. All point to the dishonesty of the person.

Offences against the person are a grey area. Some insurers will consider such cases but they will not receive the best rates and it is not something you would get online. An insurance broker would be in a better position to place the business, particularly in this case since it your friend's son who committed the offence.

Oscar_The_Grouch

It's been posted on here several times, but if you have trouble getting insurance you should look at the National Association of Ex Offenders (called UNLOCK). They provide a list of insurers and brokers that specialise in dealing with people who have criminal convictions. Here's a link to the page on their website where you can download the list:

http://www.unlock.org.uk/xoffenders.aspx?sid=105

UNLOCK are nothing to do with the insurance industry, but it at least gives you a good place to start.

Please remember that you have to declare the unspent criminal convictions for all members of your household. Here's a link to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 where it tells you how long you have to declare the conviction for:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1974/cukpga_19740053_en_2

Look at the tables at the bottom of the page.

wazza

Update - she got a reply from her insurers. They have consulted their underwriters. They have decided to keep her on with no increase on her premium. You can guess she is relived.

Thanks for the responses given