Insurance and Criminal Records: How To Avoid Being Refused

To err is human, and everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes, some mistakes are more serious than others and can have significant legal consequences.

Pensons notamment aux accusations criminelles liées à l’alcool ou la drogue au volant.

If you have been convicted of a crime, there is a good chance that you have a criminal record.

Having a criminal record is not an end in itself, but it does complicate certain things. Such as the ability to travel or take out home or car insurance, for example.

In this article, Assurances Multi-Risques would like to share a few tips to make your insurance search easier. If you or someone living in your household has a criminal record.

Finding an insurer despite a criminal record

In Canada, nearly 20% of the population has a criminal record. If you are part of this group, you have probably found that it is more difficult to find an insurer.

Nous vous conseillons de contacter un courtier d’assurance indépendant spécialisé en assurance pour les personnes ayant un dossier criminel. Ceux-ci ont l’habitude de transiger avec des assureurs qui acceptent les dossiers plumitifs.

Obtain a copy of your criminal record

Before you even begin your search for insurance, request your criminal record (court record) with the selective index. To do so, simply submit a request to your local courthouse. What’s more, it’s free! This will save you time, as most insurers require a copy of your criminal record.

The contents of your criminal record may affect the amount of your premium and the coverage offered by your new insurer.

Prepare your SAAQ file

We recommend that you have your up-to-date Quebec Automobile Insurance Society file on hand, as some auto insurers also require it. You can simply request a copy of your driving record from the SAAQ.

Last but not least: be honest with your broker or insurance agent. You have everything to gain by being honest. Knowing exactly what your criminal history is will help you get home or auto insurance that suits your needs. Plus, in the event of a claim, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble!

Criminal record: the importance of disclosing your history to the insurer

We emphasize the importance of telling the truth about your criminal record to your insurer. This is crucial for your insurance.

Several insurance companies refuse to insure individuals who have been prosecuted, as well as anyone living under the same roof.

Même s’il s’agit de vos enfants, les compagnies d’assurance appliqueront une surprime d’assurance.  Cette augmentation de coût autant sur l’assurance habitation, l’assurance automobile ou sur l’assurance moto par exemple.

We understand that it may be tempting not to mention your criminal history to your insurer. If you do not disclose your criminal record to your insurer, you may not be covered in the event of a problem. This could result in a refusal to reimburse you. This may result in a refusal to reimburse you.

The Law and Insurance!

According to Article 2408 of the Civil Code of Québec, insured persons must disclose any information that could have an impact on the risk. This means that you must always disclose your criminal record. Even if you are not asked about it, you must provide these important details to the insurer.

If you fail to do so and the insurer discovers the truth, they may cancel your insurance policy or refuse to compensate you following a claim.

He would then invoke section 2410 of the Civil Code of Quebec for misrepresentation. In short, paying a little more for insurance but being compensated in the event of a claim or accident is better than paying a good price for useless and worthless insurance!

Nous vous invitons d’ailleurs à toujours tenir votre assureur informé des nouvelles informations. Nous expliquons ce qu’est l’aggravation de risques en assurance pour vous éclairer.

Is your insurance policy still in force and you have a criminal record?

If you are convicted of committing a criminal offense after signing your current insurance contract, you must notify your insurer. The insurer will then have the option of canceling your contract or offering you a new, higher premium.

As mentioned above, this will prevent your policy from being terminated or coverage being denied in the event of an accident or claim! That would greatly offset any savings you thought you would achieve on your premium by hiding this information…

A suspended driver’s license?

Si vous avez été déclaré coupable de conduite avec les facultés affaiblies par la drogue ou l’alcool, votre permis de conduire a peut-être été suspendu pour une certaine période.

Alternatively, if your driving record shows numerous speeding violations or unpaid fines, your insurer may also reject your application. It will then likely be difficult for you to find an insurer willing to cover you on your own.

Insurers who agree to insure you

If you are discouraged by the cancellation of your auto and home insurance or by the refusal of several insurers to cover you, rest assured: there are insurers that specialize in clients with criminal records! Like us!

At Assurances Multi-Risques, we have expertise in this area and know how to develop the best strategies for insuring people with criminal records.

It is quite possible that you will have to pay higher insurance premiums than with your previous insurer. The range of options is limited for people with a criminal record, but at least you will be well protected!

And remember: silence is not always golden. On the contrary, in insurance, the consequences of insufficient honesty or excessive discretion can be very costly. So be frank, admit your mistakes, and tell the truth. You want to avoid insurance problems and further deterioration of your situation at all costs!