Criminal Convictions

Honesty Counts –  Home Insurance for those with criminal convictions.

Here at PRM Insurance we appreciate that obtaining Household Insurance for people with criminal convictions can be extremely difficult. Usually, when ex-offenders declare a criminal conviction which is not spent, they are routinely refused insurance. We take a different approach and treat all our customers as individuals and tailor our policies to suit your needs.

  • Unlike the mainstream providers we look at each case individually.
  • 95% of our customers are offered the cover they need
  • We can cover Buildings, Contents or both – including All Risks!
  • Our team of Underwriters are well known throughout the industry.

 Get Covered Properly Today.

AT PRM our team listen without judging, we may ask you some awkward questions, we might also investigate further to ensure we fully understand your conviction, but once we have collected all the information required we will liaise with our small panel of specialist insurers to find you the best possible terms. So don’t leave things to chance give us a call on 01424 251688 or 07596 695651 or contact us via the website and we will call you

 What counts as a criminal conviction?

A criminal conviction can be anything from a prison sentence to a fine for littering or a speeding conviction – all types of offences count, however minor.

  • Only unspent convictions matter. Even if asked, you do not have to disclose any convictions that are spent. Convictions become ‘spent’ a certain time after the date of conviction, and after that they’re not allowed to count against you. That’s the law according to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • You might be asked about the convictions of everyone covered by the insurance, such as your partner, children or grandchildren. If it’s home insurance, that’s everyone who lives in the house.
  • Simple cautions, reprimands and final warnings are spent immediately and do not need to be disclosed as these are not criminal convictions.

Is your conviction spent?

If your conviction is spent, you don’t need to declare it when you apply for insurance.

You can find out whether your conviction is spent either by:

  • Using an online calculator from Unlock
  • Checking through the list of conviction types on the Unlock website

Find out when your convictions are spent on the Unlock website.

Calculate if your conviction is spent on the Unlock website

When do you have to declare unspent convictions?

  • You only have to disclose convictions if you’re asked.
  • Always get written confirmation of any convictions you’ve disclosed
  • If you’re not asked directly, check whether the terms and conditions or assumptions mention convictions
  • If you get a conviction during a policy you don’t have to declare it until you renew the insurance, unless your policy specifically says that you must.

Key facts

  1. You only have to disclose convictions if you are asked
  2. If you’re not asked directly, make sure you check any assumptions and terms/conditions of cover
  3. If asked, you DO NOT have to disclose any convictions that are spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
  4. If asked, make sure you get written confirmation of what you’ve disclosed

 What could happen if you don’t disclose convictions when asked?

If you deliberately don’t disclose your convictions when asked by the insurance company, your insurance could be invalid.

If you’ve made a claim, the insurance company can ask for the money back.

Sometimes these things happen because the insurance company didn’t explain things clearly.

If that’s the case, you might be able to get this resolved.

What if my insurer refuses to pay a claim?

In some circumstances, you may be able to challenge an insurer who is avoiding your policy. If your insurer cannot settle your complaint, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). The FOS deal with complaints in a way that takes account of both the law and industry good practice. They will consider whether the insurer asked clear questions, whether their decision was influenced and whether you failed to disclose recklessly, deliberately, inadvertently or innocently.

Honesty really is the best policy and if you find this puts you in a position where you cannot obtain Insurance then just give us a call on 07596 695651 or 07756472437, alternatively use the contact form and we will call you – here to listen and  help