Can you get insurance with a criminal conviction in the UK?
Yes. Having a criminal conviction — motoring or non-motoring, spent or unspent — does not make you uninsurable. It does mean that mainstream comparison sites and standard insurers are unlikely to be able to help. Their systems are built for straightforward applications, and many return no results or automatically decline anyone with a conviction on record.
Specialist brokers work differently. Rather than running your details through an automated pricing engine, they present your full circumstances directly to underwriters who are experienced in assessing non-standard risk. The result is not always cheap cover, but it is cover that reflects your actual situation rather than a blanket rejection.
What types of insurance are affected by a conviction?
A criminal conviction can affect several types of personal and business insurance, including:
- Car insurance — both motoring and non-motoring convictions must typically be declared. Motoring convictions (speeding, drink driving, dangerous driving) directly affect underwriting risk; non-motoring convictions are also assessable factors for most insurers.
- Home insurance — buildings and contents policies routinely ask about criminal convictions for all household members. An undisclosed conviction can void a claim, even if unrelated to the insured property.
- Travel insurance — some travel insurers decline applications with unspent convictions, particularly for certain destinations. Specialist travel brokers can often find cover where standard providers cannot.
- Business insurance — public liability, professional indemnity, and employers liability policies may all ask about the convictions of directors or key personnel. Specialist commercial brokers handle these cases regularly.
- Van and fleet insurance — subject to the same disclosure requirements as car insurance, with additional scrutiny for commercial use vehicles.
Motoring convictions
Motoring convictions are categorised by DVLA codes. Common examples include SP codes (speeding), DR codes (drink or drug driving), IN codes (uninsured driving), and CD codes (careless driving). Each carries a different weight in underwriting assessment. Points-only convictions are generally manageable through specialist brokers; more serious convictions — particularly DR10 (drink driving) or IN10 (uninsured driving) — may require a more targeted approach.
The age of the conviction matters. A conviction from several years ago, with no further offences and a clean licence since, is assessed very differently from a recent conviction. Specialist brokers will present this context to underwriters rather than simply flagging the code.
Non-motoring convictions
Non-motoring criminal convictions — including offences related to theft, fraud, violence, drugs, or public order — must be declared for most personal lines insurance policies. This applies to car insurance, home insurance, and travel insurance, regardless of whether the conviction has any connection to the type of cover being sought.
The specific offence, the sentence received, and the time elapsed since the conviction are all relevant factors. Specialist brokers are experienced in presenting these circumstances to underwriters who are willing to consider each case on its merits rather than applying a blanket exclusion.
Spent vs unspent convictions — what do you need to declare?
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) allows certain convictions to become "spent" after a set period, meaning they do not need to be disclosed in most employment contexts. Insurance is different.
For insurance purposes, most policies require you to declare all convictions — including spent convictions — unless the insurer question specifically states otherwise. This is an exception carved out from the standard ROA protections. Failing to disclose a spent conviction when an insurer question requires it can result in your policy being voided and any claims being refused.
If you are unsure whether your conviction is spent, or what you are required to disclose, Unlock — the national charity for people with criminal records — provides a free disclosure calculator and detailed guidance at unlock.org.uk. Your broker will also advise you on what their specific policy wording requires.
Why mainstream comparison sites often cannot help
Comparison sites are optimised for standard risk profiles. When an applicant discloses a conviction, many automated systems either return no results or produce quotes from insurers who will subsequently decline the application at the policy check stage. This wastes time and can result in multiple hard searches against your record.
Specialist brokers bypass this process entirely. They know which underwriters have appetite for which conviction profiles and will approach them directly, saving you the cycle of repeated declines.
What to expect when you enquire through CoverAble
When you make an enquiry through CoverAble, your details — including any conviction information you choose to share — are sent directly to the specialist broker you have selected. The broker will contact you, typically by phone, to discuss your situation in full before sourcing quotes.
You are not obliged to proceed, and there is no charge for using CoverAble. The brokers listed on this platform are FCA-authorised and operate independently. CoverAble does not participate in the transaction, receive commission, or make recommendations about which broker to use.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare a spent conviction for insurance?
In most cases, yes — unless the insurer question specifically excludes spent convictions. Insurance is a general exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Always read the question carefully and ask your broker if you are unsure.
Will a conviction always mean higher premiums?
Not necessarily. The impact on your premium depends on the type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and the type of insurance you are seeking. A non-motoring conviction from several years ago may have little or no effect on a home insurance premium with the right specialist broker.
Can I get home insurance if someone in my household has a conviction?
Yes, in most cases. Home insurers typically ask about convictions for all members of the household. Specialist home insurance brokers consider these applications and can often find buildings and contents cover where standard insurers decline.
What is the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?
The ROA is a UK law that allows certain criminal convictions to become "spent" after a rehabilitation period, meaning they do not need to be disclosed in many contexts — particularly employment. However, insurance is largely exempt from this protection. Most insurers are permitted to ask about all convictions, including spent ones, and applicants are required to answer honestly.
How do I find a broker who will consider my application?
CoverAble lists specialist brokers who have indicated they consider applications from people with criminal convictions. You can search by insurance type and submit an enquiry directly to brokers whose profile matches your situation. Your conviction details are shared only with the broker you choose to contact.