Accepting our Terms of Business
By asking us to quote for, arrange or handle your insurances, you are providing
your informed agreement to these Terms of Business. If you are unsure about
any aspect of our Terms of Business or have any queries regarding our relationship
with you, please contact us at the above address.
The Financial Services Authority
Plexstar Insurance Services Ltd t/as Allison & Partners is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our FSA Register number
is 304903.
Our permitted business is advising,
arranging, dealing as agent and assisting in the administration and performance
of general insurance contracts
You may check this on the FSA’s
register by visiting the FSA website, www.fsa.gov.uk/register
or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.
Our Service
Our role is to advise you and make suitable recommendation after we have assessed
your needs. In situations where we are able to arrange insurance for you but
do not offer advice, we shall confirm the position to you in writing. We will
not in any circumstances act as an insurer nor guarantee or warrant the solvency
of an insurer.
We select insurance products from a range of insurers but, for
certain products, we may only deal with a single insurer or select from a limited
number of insurers.
Ownership
Hiscox Insurance Company owns a minority of our share capital.
Complaints and compensation
We aim to provide you with a high level of customer service at all times, but
if you are not satisfied, contact us:
In writing: write to Allison & Partners,
Fullbridge House, Fullbridge, Maldon,
Essex CM9 4NX
By phone: telephone 01621 841991
By e-mail: info@allisonandpartners.co.uk
If you are still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to
the Financial Ombudsman Service (except in the case of a business with a group
annual turnover of £1 million or more, a charity with an annual income
of £1 million or more, or trustees of a trust with a net asset value of
£1 million or more).
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
(FSCS). You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet
our obligations. This depends on the type of insurance, size of business (if
a commercial customer) and the circumstances of the claim. Further information
about compensation scheme arrangements is available from the FSCS.
Payment for our services
We normally receive commission from the insurers or product providers and make
charges for handling your insurances.
You will receive a quotation which will tell you the total price to be paid,
showing any fees, taxes and charges separately from the premium, before your
insurance arrangements are concluded.
Handling Client Money and/or
Insurer Money
Our financial arrangements with most insurance companies are on a “Risk
Transfer” basis. This means that we act as agents of the insurer in collecting
premiums and handling refunds due to clients. In these circumstances such monies
are deemed to be held by the insurer(s) with which your insurance is arranged.
However, if Risk Transfer does not apply, such monies will be held by us in
a Statutory Trust account set up in accordance with FSA rules. For the purpose
of some transactions, client money may pass through other authorised intermediaries
before it is received by the insurer. Interest will not be paid to customers
in respect of money held in client bank accounts.
Cancellation of Insurances
You should make any request for the cancellation of a policy in writing and
any relevant certificate of insurance should be returned to us or to the insurer
concerned. The terms of your policy may allow insurers to retain the premium
in full or to charge short-period premiums in the event of cancellation before
the policy expires.
Conflict of interests
Occasions can arise where we or one of our associated companies, clients or
product providers will have a potential conflict of interest with business being
transacted for you. If this happens and we become aware that a potential conflict
exists, we will write to you and obtain your consent before we carry out your
instructions, and detail the steps we will take to ensure fair treatment. In
circumstances where we feel we cannot continue providing services to you, we
will give you a minimum of 7 days notice.
Termination of authority
You may terminate our authority to act on your behalf with 14 days notice or
otherwise agreed without penalty. Notice of this termination must be given in
writing and will take effect from the date of receipt. Termination is without
prejudice to any transactions already initiated which will be completed according
to these terms of business unless otherwise agreed in writing. You will be liable
to pay for any transactions or adjustments effective prior to termination and
we will be entitled to retain any and all fees or brokerage payable in relation
to policies placed by us prior to the date of termination.
Your responsibilities
You are responsible for providing the complete and accurate information, which
insurers require in connection with any proposal for insurance cover. This is
particularly important before taking out a policy and at renewal, but it also
applies throughout the life of a policy. If you fail to disclose any material
fact or other information material to the insurance this could invalidate the
policy and mean that claims may not be paid. You should check all details on
any proposal form or Statement of Facts and pay particular attention to any
declaration you may be asked to sign.
You should read all insurance documentation issued to you and ensure that you
are aware of the cover, limits and other terms that apply. Particular attention
should be paid to any warranties and conditions as failure to comply with them
could invalidate your policy.
You should take note of the required procedures in the event of a claim, which
will be stated in the policy documentation. Generally insurers require immediate
notification of a claim or circumstance that might lead to a claim.
You should inform us immediately of any changes in circumstances that may affect
the services provided by us or the cover provided by your policy.
If you are unsure about any matter, please contact us for guidance.
Confidentiality of personal
data
All personal information is treated by us as confidential and is processed in
accordance with the relevant legislation. We will not use or disclose personal
information without your consent, other than in the normal course of arranging
and administering your insurances, except where we are compelled by law (including
by regulators or law enforcement agencies) to disclose such information. In
such instances personal information held by us may be disclosed on a confidential
basis, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, to such third parties.
Claims handling arrangements
We will employ due care and skill if we act on your behalf in respect of a claim.
If we act on behalf of an insurer in negotiating and settling claims we will
inform you that we will be acting on behalf of the insurer, not yourselves,
at the point of claim.
|
