CII promotes insurance for ex-offenders

by Gill Montia

Story link: CII promotes insurance for ex-offenders

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is alerting the insurance industry to the plight of ex-offenders who are trying to reintegrate into society.

UNLOCK, the charity that works to achieve equality for ex-offenders, has published a paper that suggests the insurance sector is failing reformed criminals who want to attain basic financial security.

Spokesman, Chris Bath, is arguing that blanket policies, confusing laws and a lack of knowledge contribute to a system that prevents reformed offenders obtaining insurance and therefore full establishment back into society.

According to Mr Bath, giving ex-offenders access to the insurance market could help reduce crime but insurers could still maintaining a commercial approach.

He would like to see the development of data-driven risk-pricing models and believes this could offer access to a largely untapped market while at the same time making a contribution to justice.

The CII’s director of policy and public affairs, David Thomson, believes UNLOCK is throwing down a challenge to both the Government and the industry.

He is confident that if insurers are able to produce appropriate risk models, they could make an impact on the UK’s level of crime and develop a realistic commercial market.