Argent
Insurance Services
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our FSA Register number is 301102.
Our
permitted business is advising, arranging, dealing as agent and assisting in
the administration and performance of general insurance contracts.
You may
check this on the FSA’s register by visiting the FSA
website: www.fsa.gov.uk/register
or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.
Our role is
to advise you and make a suitable recommendation after we have assessed your
needs. In situations where we are able
to arrange insurance for you but do not offer advice, we shall confirm the
position to you in writing. We will not
in any circumstances act as an insurer nor guarantee or warrant the solvency of
any insurer.
We select
motor insurance products from a range of insurers.
&/or
We select
household products from a range of insurers.
&/or
We offer
travel insurance products only from Towergate Masterplan Travel.
We select
commercial insurance products from a range of insurers but, for certain
products, we may only deal with a single insurer of select from a limited
number of insurers.
We aim to
provide you with a high level of customer service at all times, but if you are
not satisfied, contact us:
In writing… Write to Argent Insurance Services
By phone… Telephone 020 8579 1000
If you are
still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman
Service except commercial customers with a group annual turnover of £1.0m or
more, or trustees with a net asset value of £1.0m of more.
We are
covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You may be entitled to compensation from the
scheme if we cannot meet our obligations.
This depends on the type of insurance, size of the business (if a
commercial customer) and the circumstances of the claim. Further information about compensation scheme
arrangements is available from the FSCS.
We normally
receive commission from the insurers or product providers and make charges for
handling you insurances as follows:
Mid term
adjustments £15.00
Cancellation
15% of refunded premium
Own
instalment plan £25.00 for 3 instalments
You will
receive a quotation which will tell you the total price to be paid, showing any
fees, taxes and charges separately from the premium, before your insurance
arrangements are concluded.
Full
payment of premium and fees is due before cover commences, or as otherwise
stated under terms of credit, or in the debit note, invoice or statement issued
to you.
We hold all
client money collected for onward transmission to the insurance undertaking and
return premiums/credits/claims payments due to clients from insurers in a
Client Bank Account under a Statutory Trust in accordance with the
authorisation we have from the Financial Services Authority to do so. For the purpose of some transactions, client
money may pass through other authorised intermediaries before it is received by
the insurer. Where we collect or hold
money as agent of the insurance you will be notified accordingly. Interest will not be paid to customers in
respect of money held in client bank accounts.
You should
make a request for the cancellation of a policy in writing and any relevant
certificate of insurance should be returned to us or to the insurer
concerned. In the event of cancellation,
charges for our services will apply and our fees and brokerage will not usually
be returnable. The terms of your policy
may allow insurers to retain the premium in full or to charge short period
premiums in the event of cancellation.
Occasions
can arise where one of our associated companies, clients or product providers
will have a potential conflict of interest with business being transacted for
you. If this happens and we become aware
that a potential conflict exists, we will write to you and obtain your consent
before we carry out your instructions, and detail the steps we will take to
ensure fair treatment.
You may
terminate our authority to act on your behalf with 14 days notice or as
otherwise agreed without penalty. Notice
of this termination must be given in writing and will take effect from the date
of receipt. Termination is without prejudice to any transactions already initiated
which will be completed according to these terms of business unless otherwise
agreed in writing. You will be liable to
pay for any transactions or adjustments effective prior to termination and we
will be entitled to retain any and all fees or brokerage payable in relation to
policies placed by us prior to the date of termination.
You are
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 renewal, but it also applies throughout the life of a
policy. If you fail to disclose any
material fact or other information material to the insurance this could
invalidate the policy and mean that claims may not be paid. You should check all details on any proposal
form or Statement of Facts and pay particular attention to any declaration you
may be asked to sign.
You should
read all insurance documents issued to you and ensure that you are aware of the
cover, limits and other terms that apply.
Particular attention should be paid to any warranties and conditions as
failure to comply with them could invalidate your policy.
You 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 notification of a claim or
circumstances that might lead to a claim.
You should
inform us immediately of any changes in circumstances that may affect the services
provided by us or the cover provided by your policy.
If you are
unsure about any matter, please contact us for guidance.
All
personal information is treated by us as confidential and is processed in
accordance with the relevant legislation.
We will not use or disclose personal information without your consent,
other than in the normal course of arranging and administering your insurances,
except where we are compelled by law (including by regulators or law enforcement
agencies) to disclose such information.
In such instances, personal information held by us may be disclosed on a
confidential basis, and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, to
such third parties.
We will employ
due care and skill if we act on your behalf in respect of a claim. If we act on behalf of an insurer in
negotiating and settling claims we will inform you that we will be acting on
behalf of the insurer, not yourselves, at the point of claim.