Insurance For Reformed Offenders
Written by Unlock.
Of the 7.3 million people on the Home Office’s Offender Index, around 99% are in the community. At a number equal to one quarter of the UK’s working population, these 7.2 million citizens; men, women, parents, grandparents, children, employees and employers, constitute a significant part of UK life. However, under the current policies and practices of the UK’s mainstream insurers, people with unspent convictions, and those that live with them, are essentially barred from securing even basic insurance. This can have serious emotional, social and economic consequences for the individual, their family and society as a whole. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) or ‘ROA’ sets a time period, based on the sentence given, during which past convictions must be declared to employers or insurers. These ‘rehabilitation periods’ are many times longer than the actual sentence given and in some cases last forever. Until this period passes, the conviction is defined in law as unspent and the individual will face exclusion.
Such consumers are damned if they disclose their convictions and damned if they don’t. All insurers consider unspent convictions as material facts. Under the blanket exclusion policy, the mainstream insurers will simply refuse to offer or cancel any cover for people with unspent convictions or a policyholder living in the same home. Many former offenders are not aware of the requirement to disclose unspent convictions. This is largely due to a lack of awareness, or even interest, regarding the ROA and its application to insurance law amongst many organisations both within criminal justice and the insurance industry. The onus is always on the insured, so if full disclosure is not made, consumers can pay premiums over long periods in the belief that they are covered, when in fact their policies are void. Without buildings insurance, mortgages become unavailable or rescinded and families lose their homes. Without motor insurance, personal transport is lost, preventing access to many jobs and impeding family life. Without access to commercial insurance small businesses are unable to trade and self-employment opportunities disappear. These consequences are negative for the UK as a whole.
If you are an ex-offender and need home insurance, car insurance or liability insurance, contact SIS today by selecting one of the links below:
If you have a criminal conviction it can be difficult to get a quote for motor insurance. We specialise in finding tailored insurance - let us help...
If you have a criminal record and you can't get home insurance because of your convictions, contact our team of experienced insurance brokers - let us help...
If you are an ex offender with a criminal conviction it can be hard to find liability insurance and move on with your life - let us help......