Can I get contents insurance with a criminal record?

Have you had any run-ins with the police or the justice system as a suspect in the past 8 years? If so, you have a criminal record, and it may be difficult to get home contents insurance. Difficult, but certainly not impossible. If a standard insurer won’t insure you, you can always turn to De Vereende insurance company. Read here to find out how you can get home contents insurance with a criminal record.

My contents insurance was denied because of a criminal record

Has your home contents insurance been denied due to a criminal record? That’s because insurers view people with a criminal record as a greater moral risk. They assume that someone with a criminal record is less likely to adhere strictly to insurance rules or pay their premiums. Insurers are very cautious about this, as the risk to them is greater than usual. Based on underwriting questions, the insurer assesses whether or not they want to issue a policy. For example, they check whether the criminal history is related to the type of insurance you’re applying for. Is the risk too high? Then they won’t let you purchase the insurance. If the insurance company does accept your application, certain conditions will apply, such as a higher premium.

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

If you have a criminal record, you are required to disclose this if the insurer asks about it. This is because your insurer does not have access to your criminal record. They are not aware of your criminal history beforehand and therefore have no way of assessing the risk they are taking on. If you withhold information when applying for insurance, you are committing insurance fraud. If you are caught committing insurance fraud, the problems will only get worse. That is why it is always best to fill out all the information on the application truthfully.

What are the consequences if I do not include my criminal record with my insurance application?

If the insurer discovers that you have withheld information—whether intentionally or not—they may immediately cancel your home contents insurance. You will then no longer be entitled to a payout in the event of damage or an accident. You will not receive a refund of the premium you paid, and you will have to pay for any damages yourself—even if they occurred while you were still insured. In addition, you will be registered with Stichting CIS. This means that every insurer in the CIS database will see that you have committed fraud. As a result, it will be even more difficult to obtain home contents insurance in the future.