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 in the market place.   We act as intermediaries for our clients.   We act as agents for the Insurers.   We are not tied to any one Insurer.   In some circumstances we will provide cover via another insurance intermediary, for example where they have special facilities or have a special scheme for certain trades.   It is also common to gain access to the Lloyds market via a Lloyd's broker.   If we are acting on behalf of another intermediary you will be advised.   When 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.   If the contract we offer has not been selected on the basis of a fair analysis of the market, you can request a copy of the list of the insurance undertakings we select from or any deals in relation to the contract we have offered.  

Our Statutory Requirements

We are obliged to inform you that our statutory status can be checked on The Financial Service Authority's register by visiting the FSA's website http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.  

In the unlikely event of us going out of business and not being 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 100% of the first £2,000 and 90% of the remainder of the claim, without any upper limit.

Eric Rawlins & Co Ltd has a 50% holding of the capital in Rawlins Financial Advisers Ltd.

Disclosure of Material Facts

We are obliged to remind you of your duty to disclose any material fact at inception, renewal and during the currency of the insurance policy.   If you are aware of any fact or circumstance which may affect an insurers assessment of the risk you should let us know as soon as possible - if in doubt please contact us.   The consequences of not disclosing material facts 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 should be paid by the renewal date unless agreed otherwise.   Failure to do so could invalidate a claim.   Instalment facilities are available on request either through Insurers own scheme, Premium Credit Ltd or similar financing at their published rate - otherwise for personal policies a charge of 8% is made for a 3 month arrangement.

Renewal premiums and mid term adjustments may be subject to an administration charge of up to £10.00.   We have to 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 typically 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.   The trust ring fences and protects money belonging to clients.   Because of the nature of our business, we will on occasion pay refunds or claims to clients, or premiums to insurers before the corresponding payment is made to us.   This means that if we were unable to pay our debts, there is a possibility that there might be a shortfall in the client account.   For this reason, we have in place systems and controls to manage risk in the client account, approved by our auditors.   Any interest earned from the holding of client money in the trust belongs to the company.   Unless you advise otherwise to 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.  

Fees

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 are unfortunate enough to need to make a claim please contact us without delay.   We will advise you of the procedures that you should take.   In some circumstances claims may be reportable direct to helpline numbers shown in your documentation.

Listening to our Clients - Complaints

We intend to offer a first class service at all times.   However, if you wish to make a complaint please notify us by telephone or in writing to your usual point of contact, the Company Secretary or a Director.     We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and try to resolve your complaint as soon as possible normally within 4 weeks.   In the event the complaint cannot be resolved within 20 working days, we will advise you.   If the complaint is not resolved within 8 weeks, we will again 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.

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