Spent Conviction & Home Insurance

Hutchinsfairy

Hi All,
I am due to renew my home insurance in a couple of weeks and am really struggling with some of the terminology regarding criminal convictions.

Some facts:

1. I have a criminal conviction which expired in Nov which is pertinent to my home insurance (Theft by Employee).
2. I have had specialist insurance for the last 3 years (since we bought a house) in my name with caveats imposed because of my conviction.

My questions:

1. If an insurer/broker asks whether I have a conviction (to which I believe I can now answer "no") am I obliged to tell them that I have previously had special restrictions imposed or can I assume (in law) that they have taken the initiative and asked all that they need to know in that area.
2. I was the sole policy holder previously. Does my wife count as having had special restrictions? I ask because some T&C's only ask if the proposed policy holder has had them so she might be able to get the insurance in her name.
3. When I first tried to get home insurance I phoned up a few brokers to see if they could still insure me normally and most said "no". Does this (legally) count as having been refused insurance? Am I obliged to inform new insurers that this happened if they ask?

I'm very sorry for the length of this post but it seems very technical to me and I didn't want to miss out any details.
All replies appreciated,
Tom

Quentin

1. If you are asked if you ever had special restrictions imposed your answer is yes. (Sometimes this question is contained in the "assumptions" made by the insurer which you won't be able to agree to.)

2. If your wife had no special restrictions, then her answer is no. But household policies usually require this question to be answered on behalf of everyone living at the property being insured.

3. No, it's not a refusal if a broker turned you away as a customer.

Hutchinsfairy

That was quick, thank you!

My question 1 was a little unclear. I was basically wanting to know whether my past special restrictions fell into the same category as my criminal conviction did, where I had to disclose it even if not asked.

I'm also very pleased to see you answer to question 3 although that then begs the question about what would count as "refused". I also forgot to mention that it went as far as asking the underwriters for some brokers.

Quentin

Question 1: The special restrictions imposed are quite separate from your spent criminal conviction, and not covered by the rehabilitation of offenders act.

Question 3: Now you say you were actually refused by underwriters that clouds the picture! If the refusals actually came from underwriters, then you have had refusals, and need to declare them.

Hutchinsfairy

OK, I have found an insurer who only asks the following questions:

1. Have you received any criminal convictions in the last 5 years?
2. Has anyone on the policy ever had their insurance refused?

I'm trying to find the detailed T&Cs on their website but if it turns out that "other adults" don't count as being "on the policy":

Would my wife be able to get this policy and not disclose my previous insurance refusals? I guess I'm specifically asking whether she would have to disclose information not explicitly requested?

Quentin

Yes - though be sure there is no amplification of the question along the lines of "the question relates to any adult living in the property" or similar.

Also make sure there is no catch all set of "assumptions" the proposer has to agree to on behalf of themselves and others living at the property.

(It would be no point taking out the insurance if they do have a get out in the event of any claim!)

Hutchinsfairy

I have had to email for the full set of T&Cs so will post again soon!

Quentin

You need to read the proposal fully, rather than the policy ts + cs.

Hutchinsfairy

Neither the initial proposal/info nor the website make any reference to assumptions or clarify the questions further but the proposal does reference the Ts & Cs. You actually have to phone this company to complete the purchase so I will get my wife to request a proposal by post. Thanks again for your help, will update with progress in case it's of interest to anyone.