Can I get car insurance with a criminal record?

Yes, you can always get auto insurance, even with a criminal record. However, chances are that you cannot do so with a regular insurance company. You can go to an insurance company that specializes in special risks. Here, however, there are additional conditions attached to taking out car insurance, such as a higher premium. We explain how you can still get car insurance with a criminal record.

I have been denied car insurance because of my criminal record

An insurer asks about your criminal history to determine how trustworthy you are. When accepting or not accepting an auto insurance policy, the insurer tries to assess how high the moral hazard is. Moral hazard is actually the risk that someone will be less careful because they know they will still receive compensation (damages). In the case of car insurance, for example, it may mean that someone will drive much harder and less carefully because they know that they will be paid out in the event of a claim anyway.

Based on underwriting questions, the insurer assesses whether or not to provide insurance. For example, they look at whether criminal history has anything to do with the insurance you want to purchase. Have you had a driving disqualification in the past, for example because of alcohol abuse? If so, you pose too great a risk for most insurance companies and chances are they will not accept you. Will the insurance company accept your application? Then there are certain conditions attached, such as a higher premium.

Am I required to disclose my criminal record when purchasing auto insurance?

Yes, you are required to disclose your criminal record if the insurer asks for it. The insurer has no insight into your criminal record. Therefore, without you telling them, they do not know anything about your criminal record. In that case, they also have no insight into the risk they face. Therefore, it is important that you do not conceal information about your criminal record. This is because then you are committing insurance fraud.

What are the consequences if I don't mention it on my insurance application?

Once the insurance company finds out that you have withheld information, they can terminate your car insurance immediately. You will then lose the right to payment in the event of a claim or accident. The choice should not be difficult: with a criminal record, the insurance company may still accept you, depending on the type of offense on your criminal record. If you are registered as a fraudster, no regular insurance company will accept you. You will then automatically end up with insurance company De Vereende. This does involve additional costs, such as paying premium in advance, a deposit and a higher premium.