ChatterBank17 mins ago
People with criminal convictions can't get insurance ?!
18 Answers
Someone in my family has a criminal conviction for fraud and spent a couple of months inside. Now he's out, he's discovered for the first time that he can't get insurance easily at all.
His car insurance - it seems almost every insurer has a little magic question on their form - if anyone of the dirvers has a criminal conviction for anything other than fraud, they won't insure them.
Same goes for house insurance - almost all insurers won't touch the policy if a single one of the people living in the house has a non-motoring criminal conviction.
This seems a little unfair - fraud is wrong, but it's not like he's a bank robber or a rapist for goodness sake!
Can anyone tell me any other insurance companies that they know will allow people with criminal convictions to use them? Car or home insurance?
Thanks.
His car insurance - it seems almost every insurer has a little magic question on their form - if anyone of the dirvers has a criminal conviction for anything other than fraud, they won't insure them.
Same goes for house insurance - almost all insurers won't touch the policy if a single one of the people living in the house has a non-motoring criminal conviction.
This seems a little unfair - fraud is wrong, but it's not like he's a bank robber or a rapist for goodness sake!
Can anyone tell me any other insurance companies that they know will allow people with criminal convictions to use them? Car or home insurance?
Thanks.
Answers
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I'm not sure if this web site will be helpful, but they seem to offer insurance to ex-offenders, so it might be worth a look. Good luck.
http://www.sisa.co.uk/com/busi/WAYFORWARD%20TY PES%20OF%20COVER%20AD.htm
http://www.sisa.co.uk/com/busi/WAYFORWARD%20TY PES%20OF%20COVER%20AD.htm
While local insurance brokers do, as Ethel suggests, offer the best chance of your family member getting insurance, I still wouldn't hold out too much hope.
Several years ago, I tried to help a friend get insurance on his house and contents. He had a very minor (non-custodial) conviction, which wasn't for any form of dishonesty. Between us we phoned nearly 100 brokers and insurance companies but not one would offer him cover. He eventually decided to wait until his conviction was spent before applying again. He moved away shortly afterwards and I've lost touch with him, so I don't know if he ever got cover. (The problem he faced was that, even after his conviction was 'spent', he would still have to answer 'Yes' to the question which asks 'Have you ever been declined cover?'. It's possible that he still might not be able to get insurance).
Although you say that your family member isn't a bank robber or rapist, it's worth remembering that, as far as the insurance companies are concerned, fraud is probably far worse than rape. (i.e. they're only concerned about minimising the risks of fraudulent claims. A sex offender might be totally honest when it comes to such matters but your family member has shown that he's prepared to consider fraudulent activity, so he presents a far greater risk).
It's probably fortunate that the conviction hasn't come to the attention of his bank. All UK High Street banks refuse account facilities to anyone with a conviction for fraud.
However, having typed out all of that rather negative response, I might have some good news for you. A bit of web-searching found this:
http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/fairplay-detail-go .php
Chris
Several years ago, I tried to help a friend get insurance on his house and contents. He had a very minor (non-custodial) conviction, which wasn't for any form of dishonesty. Between us we phoned nearly 100 brokers and insurance companies but not one would offer him cover. He eventually decided to wait until his conviction was spent before applying again. He moved away shortly afterwards and I've lost touch with him, so I don't know if he ever got cover. (The problem he faced was that, even after his conviction was 'spent', he would still have to answer 'Yes' to the question which asks 'Have you ever been declined cover?'. It's possible that he still might not be able to get insurance).
Although you say that your family member isn't a bank robber or rapist, it's worth remembering that, as far as the insurance companies are concerned, fraud is probably far worse than rape. (i.e. they're only concerned about minimising the risks of fraudulent claims. A sex offender might be totally honest when it comes to such matters but your family member has shown that he's prepared to consider fraudulent activity, so he presents a far greater risk).
It's probably fortunate that the conviction hasn't come to the attention of his bank. All UK High Street banks refuse account facilities to anyone with a conviction for fraud.
However, having typed out all of that rather negative response, I might have some good news for you. A bit of web-searching found this:
http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/fairplay-detail-go .php
Chris
Check out a a charity called UNLOCK at www.unlock.org.uk. There is loads of information on this issue and you can get a list of specialist insurance brokers emailed to you automatically.
The website says there are 7.3 million people in the UK with criminal convictions and that insurers exclude not only them but the people they live with that have done nothing wrong.
The website says there are 7.3 million people in the UK with criminal convictions and that insurers exclude not only them but the people they live with that have done nothing wrong.
there are a few insurance brokers who specialise only in insuring people with criminal covictions.
http://www.insurableuk.com is an example- they appear to do only ex offenders.
http://www.insurableuk.com is an example- they appear to do only ex offenders.
By the time you have kindly read this information, please remember another ex-offender will have been released. If we only help that one person, our good efforts are not wasted. And the good work we are striving to achieve will come to fruition, that one day all insurers will welcome ex offenders at standard rates
I would like to highlight the forgotten problems ex offenders face, and would like to introduce our unique range of insurance products for ex-offenders under our NEWHOPE range. The average person is bombarded by insurers hungry for their business. It is so easy to overlook the real needs of the ex-offender and the difficult task of finding insurance while fully disclosing convictions.
From the start, the ex-offender often cannot get a bank account to have their salary or benefits paid into nor a mortgage Often the ex-offender will go uninsured and perhaps ultimately re-offend. Or they will often misinform insurers of their convictions and hope for the best. Sadly, when a claim occurs the insurer will have every right to void the policy and can press for a charge of attempted fraud, which will lead to the person returning to prison.
Whilst in prison, the ex-offender has often gained skills for gainful employment on the outside. On release, they will not be able to start this employment as they cannot legally obtain cover for their vehicle to get to work nor can they obtain liability/business insurance to start their own business. All resources put into the prison training process are therefore wasted. As will your own resources and efforts
Similarly, should the ex-offender return or move in with friends or family, normal household insurance will be invalid.
I would like to highlight the forgotten problems ex offenders face, and would like to introduce our unique range of insurance products for ex-offenders under our NEWHOPE range. The average person is bombarded by insurers hungry for their business. It is so easy to overlook the real needs of the ex-offender and the difficult task of finding insurance while fully disclosing convictions.
From the start, the ex-offender often cannot get a bank account to have their salary or benefits paid into nor a mortgage Often the ex-offender will go uninsured and perhaps ultimately re-offend. Or they will often misinform insurers of their convictions and hope for the best. Sadly, when a claim occurs the insurer will have every right to void the policy and can press for a charge of attempted fraud, which will lead to the person returning to prison.
Whilst in prison, the ex-offender has often gained skills for gainful employment on the outside. On release, they will not be able to start this employment as they cannot legally obtain cover for their vehicle to get to work nor can they obtain liability/business insurance to start their own business. All resources put into the prison training process are therefore wasted. As will your own resources and efforts
Similarly, should the ex-offender return or move in with friends or family, normal household insurance will be invalid.
BEWARE of so called Brokers who say they can help. They are not always what they seem. One has already got his name in twice & he probably put it there himself. Ask why he has had so many jobs in the last 18 months there is a good reason why he keeps moving on. I would not trust him but its up to you
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