Last Updated on: March 27, 2026
Quick Answer
Yes, many people with felony records can still get homeowners insurance. In many cases, the biggest issues are the type of offense, how recent it was, your credit based insurance score, your prior claims history, and the condition of the home. Offenses tied to arson, fraud, or intentional property damage are more likely to create problems than an older unrelated felony.
Can a Felon Get Homeowners Insurance?
Usually, yes.
A felony record does not automatically mean you cannot buy homeowners insurance. Many people with records still get approved. But approval is not always simple. Some insurers may see certain convictions as a higher risk, especially if the offense involved fire, fraud, theft, or intentional property damage.
In real life, insurers often care just as much, or more, about things like your credit based insurance score, past homeowners claims, prior insurance lapses, the condition of the house, and local risk factors like storms, wildfire, or flooding.
That means a person with an old nonviolent felony may still get approved, while someone with no record but weak credit, repeated claims, and a damaged roof may struggle.
What Actually Makes Approval Harder?
A felony record by itself is not always the main barrier. These are the issues most likely to cause problems.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Arson related history | Direct property risk concern |
| Insurance fraud or fraud related offenses | Trust and underwriting concern |
| Property destruction or repeated theft history | May raise loss risk concerns |
| Poor credit based insurance score | Can affect both approval and price |
| Multiple past claims | Can make you look expensive to insure |
| Lapse in prior coverage | Signals higher risk to some insurers |
| Bad roof, old wiring, or unsafe condition | Makes the property itself harder to insure |
| High risk location | Wildfire, wind, flood, and storm exposure raise risk |
This is why you should not assume a denial happened only because of your record. Sometimes the real reason is your credit, claims history, or the house itself.
Which Convictions Are Most Likely to Raise Red Flags?
Not every felony is treated the same.
Higher concern convictions
• Arson
• Attempted arson
• Insurance fraud
• Major property destruction
• Fraud tied to financial deception
• Repeated theft tied to occupancy or property risk
Lower concern situations
• Older nonviolent convictions unrelated to property
• Drug offenses with no property or fraud connection
• Convictions from many years ago followed by a stable history
That does not mean approval is guaranteed. It means the insurer may focus more on your credit, claims history, and home condition than your record alone.
Credit Based Insurance Scores Matter More Than Many People Realize
Many people assume the felony itself will be the main reason for denial. Sometimes it is. But many homeowners insurers also use a credit based insurance score when deciding whether to offer coverage and how much to charge.
This is not the same thing as a normal credit score used for a loan. It is an insurance risk tool. In plain English, weak credit can lead to:
• Higher premiums
• Fewer carrier options
• Stricter underwriting
• More difficulty getting approved
That means a person with a record and solid credit may sometimes do better than a person with no record and very poor credit.
Homeowners Insurance vs Mortgage Insurance
These are not the same.
Homeowners insurance protects the home against covered damage and losses.
Mortgage insurance protects the lender, not you.
If you are buying a house with a mortgage, your lender will usually require proof of homeowners insurance before closing. So even if you qualify for the loan, the purchase can still stall if you cannot get acceptable home insurance.
What To Do If You Are Denied
If one company turns you down, do not panic and do not assume the process is over.
1. Ask why you were denied
Ask the insurer or agent what actually caused the problem.
Possible reasons include:
• Criminal history
• Credit based insurance score
• Prior claims
• Insurance lapse
• Roof or condition issue
• Location risk
Get as much detail as possible.
2. Pull your credit reports
Review your credit reports for errors, old accounts, unpaid balances, and anything pulling your profile down. You can get a free credit report.
3. Request your consumer claims history disclosure
If past claims data is being used against you, you want to know what is being reported and whether it is accurate.
4. Work with an independent insurance broker
An independent broker can quote multiple carriers instead of just one company. This is often the best path when your application is not simple.
5. Fix property issues before reapplying
A bad roof, unsafe wiring, or unrepaired damage can block approval fast. If the house itself is the problem, fix that first.
6. Compare several quotes in writing
Do not stop after one rejection. Prices and underwriting rules can vary a lot from company to company.
7. File a complaint if something seems wrong
If you believe an insurer handled your application unfairly or gave misleading information, contact your state insurance department.
Should You Hide Your Record?
No. If an application asks a direct question, answer honestly. Hiding information can create bigger problems later, especially if a claim happens and the insurer believes the application was misleading.
The better approach is to understand your credit, know your claims history, and shop smart.
Can You Still Buy a House If Insurance Is Hard To Find?
Sometimes yes, but it gets harder.
If you are using a mortgage, the lender will usually require homeowners insurance before closing. Without acceptable coverage, the loan process can stall. That is why it is smart to shop for insurance early, before you get too deep into the home purchase process.
Questions To Ask an Insurance Agent
This section is good for both readers and time on page.
• Do you have carriers that write homeowners policies for people with complicated backgrounds?
• Is the main issue my record, my credit, my claims history, or the house?
• Would a higher deductible improve approval odds?
• Are there repair requirements I can fix before reapplying?
• Does this company review each application individually?
• Is there a standard market option and a higher risk option?
Bottom Line
A felony record does not automatically block you from getting homeowners insurance. Many people with records still get covered. The bigger issue is usually the full risk picture, especially arson or fraud related history, credit based insurance score, prior claims, insurance lapses, and the condition of the home.
If you are denied, pull your credit reports, review your claims history, work with an independent broker, and get clear answers about why you were turned down. In many cases, there is still a path forward.
Homeowners FAQ
Yes. A company can deny coverage based on its underwriting rules and state law. But the denial may be tied to more than the felony alone, such as credit, claims history, or property condition.
Not necessarily in the same way every time. Insurers may use different data sources and underwriting models. You should not assume every company handles applications the same way.
Often yes. Older unrelated convictions may matter less than your credit, claims history, and the condition of the home.
Other Resources
- Health Insurance for Felons
- Felon Friendly Housing page
- Emergency Financial Help for Felons
- Loans for Felons
- Felony Expungement and Sealing
- Financial Help for Felons
Disclaimer
Insurance rules, underwriting practices, and state laws change over time. This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Approval, denial, pricing, and coverage terms vary by insurer, by state, and by your personal situation.