Your Child Has a Criminal Record: Do You Have to Report It to Your Insurer?

Despite all the good values we instill in our children, they may commit misdeeds that earn them a criminal record. And even if they get back on the right track, as parents, we all worry that their youthful indiscretions could follow them throughout their life and complicate their future. But have you ever considered that their bad decisions could also have an impact on your own life? Well, if your child still lives with you, your insurance might be affected. With this article, Assurances Multi-Risques wants to inform you on this subject and, more importantly, give you helpful tips to avoid insurance problems if you experience such a situation.

Not reporting your child’s criminal record: what are the consequences?

Pursuant to sections 2466 and 2467 of the Civil Code of Quebec, an insured person is required to report to the insurer any circumstance that could significantly influence the latter in setting the rate of the premium, appraising the risk, deciding to continue the former’s existing insurance coverage, or even agreeing to insure them or not. And, as you may have already guessed, the fact that someone living in your home has a criminal record is one of these aggravating circumstances.

Then why report it if there’s a chance that you will no longer be insured? Because if you file a claim, there is a good chance that your insurer will refuse to pay out when they discover the truth! Take our word for it—you don’t want your insurance company to claim that your home insurance policy is void ab initio for failure to report a criminal record and return the premiums you have paid to terminate your contract.

Occasionally, some of our policyholders tell us that an insurer did not ask them whether a person living in their home had a criminal record. But even if you aren’t asked the question, you still need to report this information to your insurer, because failure to do so could result in them refusing to pay out if you make a claim. Is it worth the risk of losing your house in the event of a fire because you failed to disclose your child’s criminal record? We seriously doubt it.

In conclusion, it’s true that disclosing your child’s criminal record may cause your home insurance premiums to increase, because you will undoubtedly have to find a new insurer specializing in criminal records. But you will avoid not being covered in the event of a claim, which could be a lot more expensive! To find the insurer that meets your needs and get the best home insurance value for your dollar, we strongly advise that you contact an independent insurance broker specializing in criminal records. This way, you’ll avoid having to tell your story to several brokers, only to end up being turned down for insurance. You’ll also increase your chances of getting insured more quickly and will be able to spend more time with your child.