Hi all Have searched (and searched) but cannot find the answer/s. Here goes (apologies if already seen/read):
Insurance - declaration starts from conviction/court date or end of conviction?
Declaring if given suspended sentence - as above? Spent after 5 years for insurance/car hire purposes but not for NBS and more checks?
Thanks in advance
Hi RSC
The 5 years to declare to insurance begins on the date of conviction. You're required for 5 years from this date to declare your conviction to both insurers, car hire and also employers (if required to do so by your contract of employment). Going for a new job in the 5 years and the application form asks if you have a conviction, then again you HAVE to declare it.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act states that after 5 years, your conviction is spent. Legally after this date, you should not be asked if you have a criminal conviction. Therefore if an insurer, car hire or new employer asks the question, you can legally answer 'no'.
If you have a basic DBS check, it will show no convictions after this date also. HOWEVER, a standard or enhanced DBS check would generally show the conviction for 11 years and after this time the conviction is 'filtered'. Because you were given a suspended sentence, the filtering does not occur and the conviction will therefore still show for life on the standard and enhanced checks.
Standard and enhanced checks are generally only required if the job is working with children, vulnerable people or specific jobs e.g. financial, security, carer etc. An example list of what jobs require what check can be seen here
Unlock Charity List
If the new job requires standard or enhanced checks, it is often advisable to be up front as you would know that they will see it when checking!!!
