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Ex-offender
charity UNLOCK speaks out over industry policy of exclusion
6th June 2008
XX
Updated February 2010 HERE The
aggregator market has been criticised for failing to make it clear to ex-offenders
that they must declare convictions. The criticism followed the launch of a campaign
by charity Unlock - the National Association of Reformed Offenders - to remove
the blanket exclusion by most insurers for people with convictions, and to introduce
risk assessments to create more suitable policies for ex-offenders. Chris
Bath, head of projects at UNLOCK,
said: "Aggregators cannot change the fact that most underwriters have a policy
of exclusion towards ex-offenders and those living with them, however, they could
make simple changes to their online process to ensure they treat customers fairly.
"This
could include using a filter page at the start of the process, asking questions
specifically about unspent convictions (when an ex-offender has completed their
rehabilitation period), highlighting the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA)
and making clear referrals to organisations capable of offering further assistance."
Mr Bath
said many former offenders were unaware of the requirements to disclose unspent
convictions: "The onus is on the insured, so if a previous conviction has not
been fully disclosed, then consumers could be paying for premiums in the belief
that they are covered, when in fact their policies are void." Meanwhile,
the Association
of British Insurers (ABI) said it had met with Unlock, and the
issue of insurance for ex-offenders was on its radar. Malcolm
Tarling, ABI spokesman, said: "Some insurers have found that those with a criminal
record have a higher propensity to claim. They may choose not to offer cover to
ex-offenders, as they either do not want to develop the expertise to assess the
risk, or to incur the cost of tailoring the products to reflect it. The ABI will
consider the various issues raised by Unlock," he added. Unlock
said the ROA was reviewed in 2006 by the Home Affairs Select Committee, which
found that ex-offenders were unlikely to re-offend two to three years after being
released from prison Mr
Bath added: "Insurers have blanked an entire section of the market without even
considering it - if they can't engage with risk assessment, then who will? By
working with the ABI and building links with specialist brokers, we hope to develop
a fair and competitive market." Ex
Offenders account for a small proportion of consumers. Those with previous claims,
Flood affected Property, Underpinned Property or unusual property such as joint
or shared freehold / leasehold etc will get the same poor deal from direct insurers
too! Information
supplied by Chris
Bath of Unlock and Neil
Cook of Delite insurance Agency XX UNLOCK
is the National Association of Reformed Offenders. It exists to achieve equality
for reformed offenders. While no one knows exactly how many reformed offenders
are living in the UK today, the Government Offender Index currently lists 7.3
million offenders. That equates to one quarter of the UK working population. UNLOCK
is a registered charity, governed by a Board of Trustees and funded by donations.
It is a unique organisation founded in 1999 by a group of reformed offenders,
each of whom, in their own way, successfully rebuilt their lives after serving
prison sentences. They claimed no accolade for this, but they rightly claimed
experience of the great difficulties faced by those coming out of prison. They
have had first hand experience of the many problems faced by former offenders;
especially those who genuinely want to "go straight" in a society which always
finds it hard to forgive and forget.
UNLOCK creates change through innovative pilot projects, focused campaigns,
strategic partnerships, media work, and by providing information and support.
It is led by Chief Executive Bobby Cummines, who served 13 years in prison, and
President Lord David Ramsbotham, former HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. As a significant
part of its work, UNLOCK has worked to raise the profile of financial exclusion
amongst former offenders and their families, with projects such as UNLOCKing Banking,
UNLOCKing Financial Capability and UNLOCKing Insurance. More
information at Insurance
for Ex Offenders UNLOCK
- The National Association of Reformed Offenders also have their own guide
to insurance Here XX
February 2010 - Please
note that Neil Cook now works with Equity and General Insurance Services Ltd
See
also - August
2010: Employing
ex offenders -Whilst some larger organisations gladly give reformed ex offenders
employment it does tend to the lower grade positions. June
2010: Insurance cover affects the socially excluded
-There are still major insurance issues faced by an estimated, eight million UK,
and Northern Ireland residents who have a current unspent criminal conviction
that may stop them starting either a business or going about their every lives
thus contributing to society May
2010: Scope
for ex offenders There are still major insurance issues faced by an estimated,
eight million UK, and Northern Ireland residents who have a current unspent criminal
conviction that may stop them starting either a business or going about their
every lives thus contributing to society May
20th 2010: Public liability
insurance found for ex-offender - Story of an ex-offender who had difficulty obtaining
insurance - jml insurance Blog October
14th 2009: Seven million warned of insurance
trap - Millions of people could be paying for worthless home insurance because
of a loophole over past convictions, it was claimed yesterday - jml Insurance
Blog December
2008: Concerns about insurance for ex-offenders-In
Mid November UNLOCK The National Association of Reformed Offenders issued a press
statement about the problems of ex-offenders obtaining insurance. jml Insurance
have been acting as an introducer for Delite Insurance for several months and
have concerns about restrictions insurance companies appear to imposs - Click
Here for News Release November
2008: Call to unlock access to insurance for reformed
offenders- The insurance industry is failing reformed offenders who are seeking
entry to basic financial security, according to Chris Bath of the offender charity
UNLOCK. - Click
Here for news report NEWHOPE
- Insurance information for those with a Criminal Conviction or families of those
with criminal convictions Click
Here
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