When it comes to getting quotes for car insurance, some questions seem to be irrelevant, especially when you are asked if you have any non-motoring convictions. Though disclosing any motoring convictions on your insurance quote may seem reasonable, why do some insurance companies ask for details about non-motoring convictions?

Do I have to answer?

Under the insurance disclosure law, it’s a legal obligation to answer all questions posed by a potential insurer truthfully and to the best of your ability. This includes questions about non-motoring convictions.

Is it relevant?

Most insurance companies that ask about criminal convictions ask because they believe that insuring with someone with criminal convictions brings an added element of risk. Having a non-motoring conviction can lead to higher premiums and, in some cases, the insurance company may decline to cover the driver altogether.

What do I disclose?

‘Unspent’ convictions must always be disclosed. Non-motoring convictions that are under four years and still in the rehabilitation period must be disclosed because they are still unspent, and any non-motoring conviction that results in a prison sentence greater than four years must always be disclosed (as these are always unspent).

According to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, once the rehabilitation period is complete, the conviction has been spent and, therefore, no longer needs to be disclosed to apply for insurance.