Life insurance with criminal convictions
Yes, you can get life insurance with a criminal record. Many people assume a conviction makes them uninsurable, but the reality is far more nuanced. The type of offence, whether it is spent or unspent, the sentence length, and how long ago it occurred all determine how insurers assess your application. Most spent convictions do not need to be disclosed at all.
The short answer
Most spent convictions do not need to be disclosed on life insurance applications, thanks to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Unspent convictions must be declared. The type of offence matters enormously: fraud and financial offences are the hardest to insure, driving offences are usually fine, violent offences depend on severity and recency, and drug offences depend on the type and sentence. Be honest about unspent convictions - non-disclosure is always worse than disclosure.
Spent vs unspent convictions
The distinction between spent and unspent convictions is the single most important factor in how a criminal record affects your life insurance application. This distinction comes from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Spent convictions
A conviction becomes "spent" after a rehabilitation period, the length of which depends on the sentence. Once a conviction is spent, you are not legally required to disclose it for insurance purposes. Most life insurance application forms ask only about unspent convictions, and you can answer "no" to these questions if all your convictions are spent.
This means that for many people with a criminal record, their conviction has no impact on their life insurance at all.
Unspent convictions
An unspent conviction must be declared on your life insurance application if the insurer asks about it (and most do). Failing to disclose an unspent conviction is non-disclosure and could void your policy at claim. The impact of an unspent conviction depends on the type and severity of the offence.
How long until a conviction becomes spent?
The rehabilitation period depends on the sentence received. These are the current rehabilitation periods under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012):
| Sentence | Rehabilitation period (adults) |
|---|---|
| Prison sentence of 4 years or more | Never spent |
| Prison sentence of 30 months to 4 years | 7 years from end of sentence |
| Prison sentence of 6 months to 30 months | 4 years from end of sentence |
| Prison sentence of up to 6 months | 2 years from end of sentence |
| Community order / suspended sentence | 1 year from end of order |
| Fine | 1 year from date of conviction |
| Conditional discharge | End of the order period |
| Absolute discharge | Spent immediately |
Rehabilitation periods for young offenders (under 18 at time of conviction) are shorter. Prison sentences of 4 years or more can never become spent. If you are unsure whether your conviction is spent, check with a legal adviser or use the government's disclosure calculator.
Not sure if your conviction is spent?
Tell us the sentence and date, and we'll help you understand whether it needs to be disclosed and how it affects your options.
Get QuoteHow different types of offence affect life insurance
Not all convictions are equal in insurers' eyes. The type of offence significantly affects how your application is assessed.
Fraud and financial offences
Fraud, insurance fraud, forgery, embezzlement, and financial dishonesty are the hardest type of conviction to insure. This is because life insurance is fundamentally a financial contract based on trust. An insurer assessing someone with a fraud conviction is concerned about the integrity of the application itself. Expect the most cautious underwriting with financial offences - some insurers will decline, others will accept with a loading, and time since the offence is critical.
Violent offences
Violent offences are assessed on severity and recency. A single assault conviction from 15 years ago with no further offences is viewed very differently from recent multiple violent offences. Common assault resulting in a fine or community order has relatively little impact once spent. GBH with a custodial sentence is viewed more seriously. Repeat violent offending is the most problematic pattern, as insurers may view it as indicating ongoing risk.
Drug-related offences
Drug offences are assessed based on the type of drug, the nature of the offence (possession vs supply), and the sentence. Simple cannabis possession resulting in a caution or fine is viewed mildly. Supply or cultivation of any drug, particularly Class A substances, is viewed much more seriously. Insurers also consider whether the drug use itself is ongoing, as this is assessed separately as a health/lifestyle factor.
Driving offences
Most driving offences have little to no impact on life insurance. Speeding fines, points on your licence, and even a driving ban for totting up are generally not a problem. The exceptions are dangerous driving causing death or serious injury (which is assessed as a serious violent/negligent offence) and drink-driving, which may prompt questions about alcohol use as a separate health factor. Most driving convictions resulting in fines or short bans will not affect your life insurance at all.
Sexual offences
Sexual offences are assessed very individually. The severity of the offence, the sentence, and the time since the offence all matter. Some insurers will decline, while specialist insurers may offer terms with a loading. Being on the sex offenders register is an additional factor. This is an area where a specialist broker is essential.
The key factors insurers assess
When assessing a criminal conviction, insurers look at several specific factors:
Spent or unspent
Spent convictions generally do not need to be disclosed. Unspent convictions must be declared and will be assessed.
Type of offence
Financial/fraud offences have the most impact. Driving offences have the least. Violent and drug offences fall between these extremes.
Time since offence
The longer the time since the offence with no further offending, the better the outcome. A conviction from 10 years ago with a clean record since is viewed very differently from one 2 years ago.
Sentence length and type
Custodial sentences are viewed more seriously than non-custodial. Longer sentences indicate more serious offences. Fines and community orders have less impact.
Pattern of offending
A single offence is viewed far more favourably than multiple offences. Repeat offending suggests an ongoing pattern of risk, which insurers take more seriously.
Circumstances and context
Some insurers will consider the context of the offence. A conviction resulting from a one-off incident in unusual circumstances is viewed differently from planned, repeated criminal behaviour.
The honest answer
If your conviction is spent, it likely has no impact on your life insurance at all. If it is unspent, the outcome depends on the type and severity. Driving offences are almost never a problem. A single non-financial, non-violent offence from years ago with no further offending is usually insurable with a minor loading or at standard rates. Financial fraud convictions are the hardest to work with. Whatever your situation, the single most important thing is honesty. Failing to disclose an unspent conviction is non-disclosure and will void your policy. A policy that pays out with a loading for a criminal conviction is infinitely better than one that pays nothing because you did not declare it. A specialist broker can find the right insurer for your specific conviction.
Confidential conversation about your conviction
We speak to people about criminal records and insurance regularly. Tell us the details in confidence and we'll find the right insurer.
Get QuoteWhat if you have been declined?
Being declined by one insurer does not mean you are uninsurable. Different insurers have very different approaches to criminal convictions. An insurer that declines someone with a drug conviction may be perfectly happy to cover someone with a violent offence, and vice versa.
Use a specialist broker
A broker who handles non-standard applications knows which insurers are most favourable for different types of conviction. They can approach the right insurer first, avoiding unnecessary declines that go on your record.
Wait for the conviction to become spent
If your conviction is close to becoming spent, it may be worth waiting. Once spent, it does not need to be disclosed and should have no impact on your application. However, this only makes sense if you do not urgently need cover in the meantime.
Guaranteed acceptance products
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance asks no medical or lifestyle questions, including no questions about criminal convictions. Cover amounts are typically lower (up to 25,000) and there is usually a moratorium period, but it guarantees you some level of protection regardless of your record.
Employer group life schemes
Many employer group life schemes provide Death in Service cover without individual underwriting. If your employer offers this, it provides cover regardless of your criminal record, typically at 2-4x your salary.
Currently serving a sentence or on probation
If you are currently in prison, most insurers will not consider an application. This is not a moral judgment - it is a practical consideration, as insurers need a stable UK address and the ability to verify your circumstances.
If you are on probation or serving a community sentence, some insurers will consider your application, though the unspent conviction will be assessed. Others will prefer to wait until the sentence is complete. A broker can advise on the best timing for your specific situation.
Put your policy in trust
Whatever your background, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. This ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries, bypassing your estate and avoiding potential 40% inheritance tax and months of probate delays. It is free and takes 2 minutes. We set this up on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare a spent conviction on a life insurance application?
No. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, spent convictions do not need to be disclosed for insurance purposes. Most life insurance application forms specifically ask about unspent convictions only. If all your convictions are spent, you can truthfully answer 'no' to these questions.
Will a criminal record affect my premiums?
It depends on whether the conviction is unspent and the type of offence. Spent convictions should not affect premiums at all. Unspent driving offences usually have no impact. Unspent violent or drug offences may result in a loading. Unspent fraud offences typically have the most significant impact. Many convictions have no effect on premiums whatsoever.
Can insurers access my criminal record?
Insurers do not have direct access to the PNC (Police National Computer) or DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) records. They rely on your self-declaration on the application form. However, if a claim is made and the insurer suspects non-disclosure, they can investigate through various means. A conviction that should have been disclosed but was not can void the policy entirely.
I have a caution, not a conviction. Do I need to declare it?
A police caution is different from a conviction. Many insurance applications ask specifically about convictions, not cautions. If the form asks only about convictions, a caution does not need to be disclosed. If the form asks about 'convictions or cautions', then it should be disclosed if it is not yet spent. Cautions become spent after 3 months (for adult simple cautions).
Does a criminal conviction affect critical illness or income protection?
Critical illness cover is typically affected in the same way as life insurance - the same factors apply. Income protection may be slightly more affected if the conviction relates to an offence that could indicate instability or substance use that might affect your ability to work. Each product is assessed individually.
My conviction was overturned on appeal. Do I need to declare it?
No. If your conviction was quashed on appeal, there is no conviction to declare. You have no criminal record in respect of that offence. You can answer 'no' to questions about convictions.
Will my partner's criminal record affect my life insurance?
No. Your partner's criminal record does not affect your individual life insurance application. Even on a joint life policy, each applicant's criminal history is assessed independently, and one partner's conviction does not increase the other's premiums.
Your past does not define your options
We help people with criminal convictions get life insurance every week. Tell us your situation in complete confidence and we'll find the right insurer. Free, no obligation.
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