Whether you can get public liability insurance with a criminal record depends on a number of things, including the details of your criminal convictions. Although some insurers won’t provide insurance to anyone with a criminal record, some will provide it in certain circumstances.

Popular trades we insure

At Simply Business we insure all kinds of trades like:

• Builders insurance
• Catering insurance
• Cleaning insurance
• Contractor insurance
• Hairdressing insurance
• Home baking insurance
• Online retailer insurance
• Pub insurance
• Public liability insurance for security guards
• Restaurant insurance
• Roofer insurance
• Takeaway insurance

Is your profession not listed? When you run a quote you can select your trade from over 1,000 options.

How to get business insurance with criminal convictions

If you have criminal convictions, getting business insurance like public liability insurance can be difficult. When you’re buying your insurance, you’re usually asked whether you (or anyone else with a financial interest in the business) has ever been convicted of a criminal offence. Usually, this doesn’t include ‘spent’ convictions or motoring offences.

If the answer is ‘yes’, you may be refused insurance. And if you’re not asked this question when you buy your insurance, your insurer may just assume that you don’t have any criminal convictions, and expect you to tell them if you do have a criminal record.

Remember that if you fail to tell your insurer something important, your insurance may be void and claims may not be paid.

If you’re using Simply Business to find insurance and you have a criminal record, you won’t be able to buy your policy online, but if you call us on 0333 014 6683 we may be able to arrange your public liability insurance over the phone.

This is because some of the insurers we work with do accept some business owners with criminal records, although only in certain situations. Usually, if you’re a tradesperson with a single criminal conviction and you didn’t spend any time in jail, one of the insurers will be willing to provide you with public liability insurance. Call us to see if we can help.

If you’re looking for insurance and you have a criminal record, call our award-winning call centre on 0333 014 6683 and one of our friendly insurance experts will see if they can help. Our call centre is open Mon 09.00am – 05.30pm, Tues 09.00am – 05.30pm, Weds 09.00am – 05.30pm, Thurs 09.30am – 05.30pm, Fri 09.00am – 05.30pm, Sat 09.00am – 02.00pm.