First Avenue, Porthill, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, ST5 8QX

Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Services Authority

Firm Reference Number 311460

Explanation of Service

We are independent insurance brokers and arrange a wide range of insurance products and act as intermediaries for our clients and as agents for the Insurers.   We are not tied to any one Insurer.  Occasionally we will provide cover via another insurance intermediary i.e. to obtain special facilities or schemes for certain trades.   We also gain access to the Lloyds market via Lloyd's broker.   If we are acting on behalf of another intermediary you will be advised.  If we believe that our clients' will benefit by using a specific Insurer or scheme this will be offered instead of alternative quotations from different Insurers.   The contracts we offer have been selected on the basis of a fair analysis of the market.  However, we only deal with the following providers for these products: -

Uninsured Loss Recovery                                   Motor Legal Protection

MSL                                                                          Household Legal Protection

The use of the above single providers is not a contractual obligation.  

Our Statutory Requirements

Our statutory status can be checked on The Financial Service Authority's register or website http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.  

Should we go out of business and not be able to pay any claims made against us, you may be able to obtain compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.   Insurance advising and arranging is covered for 90% of the claim with no upper limit. Compulsory Insurance remains the same at 100% with no upper limit.

Disclosure of Material Facts

We would remind you of your duty to disclose any material fact at inception, renewal and mid term of the insurance policy.   Any fact or circumstance which may affect an insurers assessment of the risk you should be advised to us as soon as possible - if in doubt please contact us.   The consequences of non disclosure may invalidate your contract resulting in claims not being honoured.

All answers or statements given on a proposal form, claim form, or any other document or made verbally to ourselves or your insurers are your responsibility and you should always check the accuracy of information provided. Notices/Endorsements issued by us on Insurers behalf mid term, at inception or renewal must be read and understood by you.   If you need an explanation contact us immediately.

Payment of Premiums/Charges

Premiums must be paid by the renewal date unless agreed otherwise.   Failure to do so could invalidate a claim.   Instalment facilities are available by various providers at their published rate.  For personal policies, a charge of 8% is made for a 3 month arrangement.

Renewal premiums and mid term adjustments may be subject to administration charges of up to £10.00.   We return commission to Insurers where return premiums are generated.   We may deduct commission from the rebate allowed to you.

Looking after your Money

Client money is premium payments received but not yet passed to insurers, or refunds and claims money paid to us by insurers but not yet paid on by us to the client.   We hold client money in accordance with a non-statutory trust, this protects money belonging to clients. We will on occasion pay refunds or claims to clients, or premiums to insurers before the corresponding payment is made to us. If we were unable to pay our debts, there might be a shortfall in the client account.  We have in place systems and controls to manage risk in the client account, approved by our auditors.   Interest earned from the holding of client money in the trust belongs to the company.   Unless you advise us in writing you are deemed to have accepted our method of holding client money.

Financial Strength of Insurers

We do not guarantee the Solvency of Insurance Companies. However, if one were to become insolvent you can apply to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for compensation.  

Disclosure of Commission (Commercial Clients)/ Fees

Prior to conclusion of the contract, or at renewal,we e will remind you of your right to be advised of the commission received from Insurers. In certain circumstances we will charge a fee in lieu of commission.   We will disclose this and agree this in advance with you.

Claims

If you need to make a claim please contact us without delay and we will advise you of the procedure to be taken.  In some circumstances claims may be reportable direct to helpline numbers shown in your documentation.

Listening to our Clients - Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint please notify your usual point of contact, the Company Secretary or a Director.     We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days, issue the Financial Ombudsman Service Leaflet and try to resolve your complaint as soon as possible.   In the event the complaint cannot be resolved, we will advise you and confirm your rights at this stage to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.     The Financial Ombudsman Service address is South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SR.

Other Taxes and Costs

Other taxes or costs may exist in relation to products and services offered which are not paid through or imposed by us.

Data Protection/Use of Marketing Purposes

You are agree that:

All information supplied can be stored on computer/paper files and disclosed to third parties to process your application.  Unless you tell us otherwise we may contact you to advise of additional products or services that may benefit you, including products or services by our subsidiary company Rawlins Financial Advisers Ltd

Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by laws of England and Wales.  Any dispute arising will be subject to exclusive jurisdiction of English courts.

ER01/10