Terms of Business Agreement
This document details SP Insurance Services arrangements for dealing with any client/prospective client’s insurance. Please read it carefully and retain a copy for any records held. The English language will be used for all communications, the contractual terms and conditions, and any information the broker is required to supply to the client, before and during the duration of the contract and this agreement shall be subject to English Law (Scottish Law, where issued in Scotland).
The Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services. Wise Insurance Services Limited (Trading as Wise Insurance, SP Insurance Services, Tattoowise, Photowise, Askwise.co.uk, Quotemycaravan, & Caravanextra.co.uk) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA Register number is 301075. You can check our status at www.fca.org.uk/firms/systems-reporting/register or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768. Our permitted business includes advising, arranging, dealing in and assisting with the placing & administration of General Insurance policies.
Service
SP Insurance Services is an independent insurance broker, who acts on the customers’ behalf in arranging insurance. These services include, but not limited to:
-
Advising the client/prospect client on any insurance needs; arranging insurance cover with insurers to meet the client/prospective client’s requirements
-
Helping any ongoing changes the client/prospective client has to make.
-
Providing any help, advise or assistance regarding any claim the client requires to make and
-
Will instruct the client on the responsibilities in relation to making claims.
SP Insurance Services will not provide any client/prospective client with any advice in relation to policies purchased solely through the Website and that client/prospective client will need to decide as to the suitability of any such product.
Payments
Under the terms of agreement with any Insurance companies with that SP Insurance Services places business through, all insurance premiums the client pay to SP Insurance Services are protected in a Non-Statutory Trust Client Account until the broker pays insurer. Premiums in this account may be used to provide credit to other customers, as a result the broker maintain additional capital resources and strict credit-control and monitoring procedures, as required by the FCA. There is no interest accrued on behalf of the broker, on premiums held in the course of arranging and administering insurance policies.
Payment Options
Payment are arranged by the following:
-
Cash (British Pound)
-
Cheque (British Pound)
-
BACS
-
Credit/Debit Cards by either Visa or Mastercard.
-
Monthly Payments, either through an agreed facility, the insurance company or an arrangement through the broker.
Payments that are not acceptable:
-
American Express
-
Diner Club
Unless otherwise notified, in writing, cover will not be incepted until payment has been made or a payment facility has been initiated.
Premium Finance & Monthly Payments
SP Insurance Services (and other accredited companies) is authorised as a credit broker. SP Insurance Services will only offer the credit facilities of:
-
Insurers Companies own Direct Debit Facility
-
In house Monthly Payment Scheme
-
Premium Credit Ltd
SP Insurance Services will not provide any advice on the suitability of credit facilities and may use providers who will conduct a credit check, which will be recorded on the client’s credit record. It is the client’s responsibility to notify the Insurance Broker, should a credit check not be consented to, although the ability to offer instalment facilities through Premium Credit may be affected.
It is the responsibility of the client to keep up with all payments on any agreed instalment facility. Should the client fail to make the payment, the client could be subjected to the following:
-
A Charge to the monthly payment
-
Finance cancelled and the entirety of the premium being due
-
Cancellation of the Policy.
Failing to keep up payments on an instalment agreement or premium finance facility may have an effect of the client’s credit rating. Upon entering into a credit agreement to pay the insurance premium, the client gives the finance provider the legal right to cancel the current insurance policy that they are providing payment for.
Should the policy be cancelled, an outstanding premium set down by the credit facility will need to be paid in full. Should there be any return premium from the cancelled insurance policy, this will be used to offset the remainder of the credit facility. Should the return premium not cover the remainder of the credit facility, then the client will be held responsible for the remainder of the outstanding premium.
Following a cancellation of non-payment, the broker will be entitled to the following:
-
The collection of any and all commission that would have been earned through the financial year of the policy.
-
A reasonable Fee to cover any administration for cancelling the policy
Our Fees and Charges
SP Insurance Services usually receives commission from the insurer that the policy is placed with. in addition to the commission earned, a fee may be charged to cover any administration charges. Policy charges may be subject to change, however the standard fees as are as follows:
-
Arranging new policies £30.00
-
Change of Postal Address £10.00
-
Duplicate Documents £10.00
-
Failed Direct Debit £10.00
-
Failed Card Payment Instalment £10.00
-
Mid-term adjustments £20.00
-
Mid-term cancellations £40.00
-
Mid Term Cancellation are refunded NET of commission.
-
Printing & Posting Previously Emailed Documents £10.00
-
Renewals £30.00
-
Replacement/duplicate certificates or cover notes £15.00
Occasionally SP Insurance Services may arrange a policy on which they earn no commission and in these cases, the client/prospective client will be made aware of the arrangement fee before the policy is taken out. SP Insurance Services also reserve the right to make additional charges that is specific to the arrangement of various and certain policies. The client/prospective client will be made aware of any these additional charges before the inception of the policy.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
SP Insurance Services is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Regarding commercial customers; insurance advising and arranging is limited to 90% of the claim if that company has a turnover of less than £1 Million (1,000,000.00), There is no upper limit. Any compulsory insurances are covered for 100% of the claim, without an upper limit. Please see the FSCS website for more information about the compensation scheme.
Cancellation of this Agreement
Should the client make any request for a cancellation of any insurance policy under the client’s control, the cancellation must either be in writing or by email from an email address known to the office and any road traffic act certificates must be returned to either the broker or the insurer concerned. In the event of a cancellation a £40.00 charge will apply and if the return premium from the insurer is less than £40.00, the client will not receive a refund. The terms of the client’s policy may allow insurers to retain the premium in full or to charge short-period premiums in the event of cancellation. There is no refund of any fees, commissions or legal expenses premiums should the client cancel their policy before the end of the term.
Complaints Procedure
If a client/prospective client wishes to register a complaint, please contact SP Insurance Services by writing to Complaints Manager, Wise Insurance Services Limited. 168-170 Croydon Road, Beckenham, BR3 4DE. 0208 663 3939
If a client/prospective client cannot settle a complaint with the broker, then the client/prospective client may be entitled to refer to the Financial Ombudsman Service, for an independent assessment and opinion. The FOS Consumer Helpline is on 0800 023 4567 and their website is at: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk Or the FOS can be contact by post at: Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR.
Please be aware that until a complaint has been brought to the attention of the holding broker, the FOS will not engage in any complaint. The FOS have the discretion to not act upon any given claim until a period of no less than eight (8) weeks have passed.
Claims
All incidents which could lead to a claim must be reported as soon as practicable and possible. Should the client wish to contact the insurer directly to report the claim, this telephone number can be found in the policy wording.
Conflict of Interests
Occasions can arise where SP Insurance Services; a client of SP Insurance Services or a product provider will have a potential conflict of interest with business being transacted by the client. If this happens and the broker becomes aware that a potential conflict exists, SP Insurance Services will write to you and obtain consent before we carry the client’s instructions and SP Insurance Services will detail the steps to ensure fair treatment.
The Responsibilities of the Client
The client is 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 a renewal, but it also applies throughout the life of the policy. Should the client fail to disclose any material fact or other pertinent information in regards to the insurance product purchased, there is a possibility that the insurance policy could be invalidated and claims may not be paid. All details on any proposal form or statement of fact should be checked and additional attention to any declaration you may be asked to sign.
It is the responsibility of the client to ensure that all limits of indemnity offered under the insurance is adequate to cover any potential claim made now or in the future.
All insurance documents issued should be fully read and the client should be fully aware of the cover, limits, terms and exclusions that apply. Particular attention should be paid to any warranties and conditions as failure to comply with them could invalidate the insurance policy.
The Client 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 notifications of claims or circumstances that might lead to a claim. The client should inform SP Insurance Services immediately or at the first available chance in the event the notification occurring out of office hours regarding any changes in circumstances that may affect the services provided by SP Insurance Services or the cover provided by the policy. If the client is unsure about any matter, please contact the broker for guidance.
Abusive Behaviour
No member or employee of SP Insurance Services will not tolerate any abusive behaviour, whether verbal, physical or mental, threatened or otherwise, from any clients/prospective client or their representatives. Any such behaviour will result in immediate cancellation of the insurance policy and a report being made to the appropriate law enforcement agency if sufficiently serious. Under such circumstances short period rates, in force at the time of cancellation, will be used to calculate any refund of premium irrespective of whether you are within your first year of insurance with us or not.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
The client/prospective client’s information will be treated as private and confidential to SP Insurance Services and anyone else involved in the normal course of arranging and administering the insurance policy, even when that client is no longer a customer. SP Insurance Services (Or any other associated name) will not give anyone else any personal information except on the client’s/prospective client’s instructions or authority, or where any member of staff is required to do so by law, or by virtue of the regulatory requirements. SP Insurance Services may use information held on file about the client/prospective client to provide information about other products and services, which may be appropriate. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the client/prospective client as the have the right to see their own personal information that SP Insurance Services holds on record. Should queries, arise please write to SP Insurance Services at the office address noted.