Just been watching the TV about insurance. Does anyone know how far back you have to go with criminal records. Do home insurers do the same as car insurers and say after five years they are spent.

I've been with my insurer about ten years now, I don't remember being asked if any of the household had any criminal convictions when I took out the insurance. Since then my husband has received a caution (about 2 years ago) and I haven't told them as I didn't know I had to. Since having my insurance I've had about 3 claims. before my husbands caution, and don't want to be landed with having to pay back the money like the lady with Aviva.

Suzie

For Home Insurance you only have to inform the Insurers of any non-spent conviction, where a court has applied a fine, community service or prison sentence. If it was just a caution issued by the police, the Insurers don't need to be advised.

Huckster

Suzie,

Huckster is absolutely correct.

The case highlighted on the TV is going to certainly cause some confusion. Essentially, regarding criminal convictions, you must disclose unspent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Cautions were recently (December 2008) brought within the remit of the ROA, and become spent immediately. Therefore, you can answer any question as only relating to unspent convictions.

Hi Huckster

Many thanks for your info, has certainly put my mind at rest - Suzie

Hi chris.stacey

Many thanks for info - Suzie

Hey Huckster,

What if one of the assumptions about the insurance cover is that 'you have never been convicted', would you have to disclose your spent conviction then?

It does not matter how the question is worded for an Insurance contract, you only have to declare convictions etc that are not spent.

Have a read of this information.

http://www.nacro.org.uk/data/resources/nacro-2007021302.pdf

Just checkin

Agree with dacouch.

See the unlock page on Insurance. http://www.unlock.org.uk/xoffenders.aspx?id=4

"If an insurance proposal form asks whether the applicant has any previous convictions, the answer can be no if the convictions are spent. This is the case even if the conviction is relevant to the risk which the insurers will underwrite, for example, spent motoring convictions can be omitted from a proposal form for motor insurance "

Huckster

Thank you very much for your prompt response Huckster.

I will check both sites recommended.

many thanks