TERMS OF BUSINESS FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS – INTERNET SALES

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

COMPLAINTS

NEW BUSINESS – INTERNET SALES

RENEWALS

MID TERM ADJUSTMENTS (M.T.A.'s)

CLAIMS

CANCELLATION

GENERAL

DATA PROTECTION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – FOR PRIVATE CUSTOMERS – PLEASE READ PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR FIRST PROPOSAL FORM TO US. THIS IS A SUMMARY COVERING OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONAL CHARGES WE MAY MAKE.

1. Peter Best Insurance Services Ltd (PBIS) are Insurance Brokers or “Independent Intermediaries” as defined by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) by whom the Company is regulated (Reference No. 307045) and whose name appears on the FSA Register which can be verified by visiting the FSA website at www.fsa.gov.uk/register. PBIS is a private company unconnected to any Insurer or other Intermediary.
2. PBIS has agencies with a panel of Insurers covering all classes of general insurance, both personal and commercial, and aims to provide professional advice to Clients in a helpful and friendly manner. We act primarily for our Clients, but we are also required to act for the Insurer with whom we hold an agency agreement.
3. Premiums paid by clients are held in a designated account on behalf of Insurers and these terms of business assume the client’s consent to this.
4. PBIS holds premiums on behalf of the Insurer. Any interest earned thereon will be retained by PBIS. PBIS does not hold money belonging to clients.
5. PBIS undertakes to abide by the rules of the FSA and at all times to treat Clients fairly, advise them unambiguously, and process their new business, renewals, mid term adjustments or claims, promptly and efficiently.
   
   COMPLAINTS
6. In the event that PBIS does not live up to its stated objectives, the Client may complain in the first instance to the Managing Director, PBIS, secondly to the Chief Executive of the Insurance Company involved or thirdly, to the Financial Services Ombudsman, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR under whose compensation scheme the company is bound.
   
   NEW BUSINESS – INTERNET SALES
7. The internet Best WebQuote is the initial quote system on our website. The insurance policy WILL NOT BE TRANSACTED UNTIL THE ONLINE COLLECTABLE APPLICATION FORM CORRECTLY COMPLETED HAS BEEN RECEIVED ELECTRONICALLY AND THE APPROPRIATE PREMIUM PAID VIA BARCLAYS MERCHANT SERVICES SECURE PAYMENT SITE.
8. It is understood that because we are transacting business over the internet, our Sales Administrators are unable discuss the policy or policies that are being offered to the Client, the Key Features and any options that are recommended (or standard) such as roadside assistance, recovery or uninsured loss and legal expenses insurance and the premium. A PDF copy of the Key Facts is on the relevant quote screen.
9. A £15 charge is made when, in the case of collector's car policies, the Certificate of Insurance is lost or the photographs for agreed value are received outside the first month, as documents have to be reissued.
10. All these details will be confirmed in writing at the time of the proposal form being received by the Client so that there should be no doubt as to what is being offered and at what premium.
11. At the same time, PBIS’ policy on refund of premium in the event of premature cancellation will be detailed. This policy will vary according to the Insurer concerned and is explained more fully later in these guide notes.
12. Where PBIS issues the Certificate of Motor Insurance “in house”, PBIS’ aim is to do so within 48 hours of receipt of the proposal. At the same time the Client will receive details relating to their breakdown assistance, where appropriate, the optional uninsured loss and legal expenses insurance and what to do in the event of a need to make a claim.
13. Clients are reminded of their legal obligation to disclose all material facts when in discussion with us or when completing their proposal form. If in any doubt such facts should be disclosed. The consequence of failing to declare the relevant facts can be serious resulting in the Insurer repudiating all or part of any claim that may arise under the policy.
    
    RENEWALS
14. PBIS will normally invite renewals currently via post, three weeks before renewal date. Too long a lead period runs the risk of the paperwork being overlooked by the Client. Too short a period gives insufficient time for amendments or (in the case of classic cars), updated condition report/photographs/mileage declaration.
15. PBIS will ensure continuity of cover providing the renewal invitation has been responded to and is correct in all respects. Clients are reminded that Insurers and Peter Best Insurance Services have to comply with EU legislation relating to motor insurance and that there are now NO DAYS OF GRACE.
16. PBIS will respond to any Client querying his renewal invitation with the same level of detail to enable the Client to make an informed decision to renew or otherwise.
    
    MID TERM ADJUSTMENTS (M.T.A.'s)
17. M.T.A.'s arise as a result of changes to the original insurance contract e.g. an increase in value of house contents, change of motor vehicle, adding a driver, change of address or notification of a conviction or accident which may result in special terms being imposed by the Insurer. PBIS normally makes an administrative charge not exceeding £15 in addition to any premium adjustment (up or down) due to the Insurer where additional work/documentation is involved. Where a duplicate certificate of insurance and schedule is required because the original is lost or mislaid, a charge of £15 will also be made. In exceptional circumstances where considerable work or external research is required a higher fee may be appropriate. In such cases the Client will be advised at the outset.
    
    CLAIMS
18. Our claims direct line is 01376 573262 which is operated during normal working hours of 9.00-5.30 Monday to Friday. Upon receipt of your initial notification of a claim or possible claim by telephone, PBIS will immediately notify the Insurer concerned by fax. Where the Insurer operates a direct customer claims line, the Insurer will contact the Client and take over management of the claim. In other cases the co-ordination will be via the PBIS claims office at Kelvedon to which all correspondence with third parties should be sent.
    
    Most of our Classic Car and many Private Motor policies have roadside assistance (including accident) and recovery included as standard with a helpline card giving 24/7 telephone numbers. These numbers can therefore be rung out of office hours.
    
    CANCELLATION
19. You have the right to cancel a policy within 14 days. If you do you will be liable to pay the Insurer’s short term premium, plus an administration fee of up to £30 to offset our costs.
    
    Your policy booklet will detail the conditions that will apply if you wish to cancel your policy at other times . These vary from company to company and type of business. Under normal circumstances for personal lines insurance (cars, household and travel mainly) PBIS will make a maximum administration charge of £30 to help defray its actual costs. Your certificate of motor insurance must be returned to us before your car insurance can be cancelled. Particular conditions apply with collector's (classic) car policies arranged by and issued through PBIS, especially limited mileage policies. As a general rule where a policy is surrendered, the period the policy has been in force and the mileage driven are correlated. Where this is greater than pro-rata (e.g. 2000 miles in 5 months on a 3000 mile per annum policy), or where a policy has run more than 6 months. there is no refund. Certain companies calculate refunds on a "months remaining" basis on short term rates which are shown in the policy booklet. In all cases of premature cancellation of a collector's car or similar policy irrespective of mileage, PBIS will make an administration charge not exceeding £50 with a minimum charge of £15. No charge will be made where a refund is not due.
    
    GENERAL
20. Please note that our premium funding service is not an insurance product and is not covered by the FSA.
    
    DATA PROTECTION
21. We will only use and disclose the information we have about you in the normal course of arranging and administering your insurance and will not disclose any information to any other parties without your consent. We may use information we hold about you to provide information to you about other products and services which we feel may be appropriate to you. If you do not wish to receive this information please write to us.
22. Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have the right to see personal information about you that we hold in our records. If you have any queries please write to us.
    

Issue 1 - Web
1^st May 2007