Terms of Business
Please take the time to read this document. It contains important information
John Pieri Insurance Services Ltd., 17/19 High Cross St Brampton, Cumbria CA8 1RP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (register number 305695). Our permitted business is arranging general insurance contracts. Our compliance with FSA rules ensures that our staff are competent, suitably trained and adequately supervised. You may verify our status by visiting the FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk or by contacting the FSA on 0845 6061234. We are also registered with the Data Protection Registrar for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998. The Act gives you a right of access to information held about you in our records. If you have any queries in this respect please contact us. None of the information you give us in connection with arranging your insurance will be disclosed to any other party without your consent, even when you are no longer a client.
About us
John Pieri Insurance Services Ltd is an independent intermediary offering a range of insurance products and services through leading UK-based insurers whose reliability and ability to pay claims is established. We do not in any circumstances act as insurer nor do we guarantee the solvency of any insurer.
Our services
Our services to you, the Client, include: -
- Providing advice on your insurance requirements in an objective and independent manner.
- In accordance with your requirements, arranging and renewing insurance cover by a fair analysis of the options available and on the best possible terms, but placing your best interests above all other considerations.
- Assisting you with any alterations to such insurance that may become necessary from time to time.
- Assisting you in submitting but not in preparing or negotiating any claims that may arise under any of the policies we have arranged for you.
New policies and renewals with a gross premium of less than £150 and all cancellations and mid-term adjustments will be subject to a handling charge of £15. A fee of £10 will be charged for the issue of duplicate documents and cover notes. Requests to provide information to or to complete forms required by third parties will attract a charge of £10. If we need to make a charge for any other service we will explain it you before you commit to it. Such fees and charges are not refundable if the insurance is not taken up or cancelled.
Payment of premiums
We maintain a system of internal accounting in accordance with FSA requirements to ensure that your monies are kept separate from our own at all times. We do not pay interest to clients whose money is held in trust.
We are able to accept payment of premiums by cheque or in cash. Some insurers will accept payment by credit or debit card. Credit facilities may be available to enable you to spread payment evenly throughout the year but please be aware that interest may be charged by the finance provider.
We are required to pass your premium promptly to the insurers and we ask you to assist us in that regard by paying punctually. We are under no obligation to issue reminders for outstanding amounts. If you fail to pay a premium on time we cannot guarantee that cover will remain in force.
Cancellation
You may have cancellation rights under your policy. Certificates of insurance must be returned before instructions to cancel can be accepted. Please be aware that Insurers’ charges for cancellation may be disproportionate to the length of time on risk. Commission claimed back from us by an insurer upon cancellation will be deducted from any refund due to you.
Your Rights
As our Client, you are entitled to know if we have any special arrangements with any insurer or if we are obliged to deal with only one insurer for a particular class of policy. In respect of Uninsured Loss Recovery for motor insurance we deal only with Motorist Services Ltd. No other sole supplier arrangement applies to any other class of business.
Your responsibilities
The insurance that we arrange for you is based on the information you provide. You have a duty to declare all material facts relating to the risk proposed for insurance and to ensure that all questions are answered accurately. The duty of disclosure is a continuing legal obligation and you must inform your insurers of any changes to the risk after acceptance by them or any relevant changes in your own circumstances. If you are in any doubt as to what needs to be disclosed, please discuss it with us, as failure to disclose a material fact could invalidate your policy, either in total or in respect of a particular claim.
In addition, you have a duty to take all reasonable precautions to protect yourself and your property and to act as if you were not insured.
Claims
If you need to make a claim you must report it without delay. Please refer to your policy for details of how to notify your insurers. Alternatively, you may contact us for assistance with notification. Please remember that you must not admit liability, dispose of any damaged property nor agree to any course of action without your insurer’s approval.
Complaints
If the service you receive fails to reach the standard you expect complaints may be made to Mr John Pieri at the above address or by telephone on 016977 45630. We undertake to acknowledge the complaint within five working days and to provide you with details of the person who will be handling the matter. If the complaint should more properly be directed to another party we will attempt to identify that party and provide you with the relevant details.
If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction you may be entitled to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service, South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR. Further information is available at: http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/
We are members of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. You may be entitled to compensation from the Scheme if we cannot meet our insurance obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. Further information about compensation scheme arrangements is available at: http://www.fscs.org.uk/
Documents
Specimen policies are available on request. An insurance policy is evidence of your contract with the insurer and should be kept in a safe place, together with any subsequent amendments. Before forwarding the policy to you we will check it to ensure that the details are correct. However, you are strongly recommended to check it personally to familiarise yourself with the terms of any warranties or restrictions and to ensure that the cover is in accordance with your requirements.
