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PRIVACY PRINCIPLES

We at Universal Underwriting managers Ltd. (hereinafter called UUM) want you, the policyholders, insureds and claimants, to be aware of how and why we handle your personal information. The very nature of UUM’s business, as intermediates among other things to negotiate and provide coverage, requires the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. We however work hard to respect and maintain your privacy.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal Information, for the purpose of the Privacy legislation, means information that identifies an individual, for example: an individual’s name, birth date, address, age, health and financial information. These are information UUM may have to collect in the course of providing insurance services and carrying on business. Personal information does not include the name, business title, address, phone or fax number of an employee of an organization.

COLLECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION

Whenever practical, UUM may collect information from your broker, other insurers, insurance reporting agencies, credit bureaus, and / or any other person, corporation, firm or enterprises (such as the Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau). The collection of this information will only be done as reasonably required for the purpose of providing insurance services and carrying on business.

USING PERSONAL INFORMATION

UUM use personal information in accordance with the consent provided by the individual to whom the information relates, in accordance with the Privacy legislation. Personal information shall not be used by UUM employees and other representatives for purposes other than as required in the performance of their employment duties.

ACCURACY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

UUM maintain procedures to ensure that the information we collect and use is accurate, up-to-date, and as complete as possible. However, we rely on you to disclose all material information to us and to inform us of any changes. You may, with proof of entitlement, request to access and if applicable request that we correct information in our possession. You may make this request by writing to our Privacy Officer at the address set out below.

SAFEGUARDING YOUR INFORMATION

UUM apply appropriate safeguards to our computer networks and physical files and we restrict access to personal information about you to those UUM employees, authorized administrators, insurers, consultants or insurance representatives who need to know that information in order to underwrite or administer your insurance product or service.

DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal information is sought and exchanged with both affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies and insurance industry organizations at the time of assessing an application for insurance and any renewal, extension, variation or cancellation of any issued policy, as well as in the event of any claim, to the extent necessary for industry statistical purposes or to assess and rate a special risk, determine the status of coverage, and investigate claims. We also share information to combat fraud; where permitted or required by law; or at the request of government regulators.

RETENTION AND ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We retain personal information only for so long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected and to meet our legal and contractual obligations. If personal information is no longer required, it will be destroyed or rendered anonymous. Given the nature of insurance and our on-going exposure to potential claims, some of the information we collect for insurance purposes will need to be kept for a time as required by the legislation.

If you have a right of access, you or a personal authorized in writing to act on your behalf may, with satisfactory identification and proof of entitlement, request access or, if applicable, request a correction of your personal information which UUM have in their possession.

We may charge a reasonable fee in advance for copying and sending information you have requested and to which you have a right to access.

CONTACTING THE UUM PRIVACY OFFICER

You may contact UUM on our Privacy practices at:

The Privacy Officer
Universal Underwriting Managers Ltd.
500-4211 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
Canada V5H 1Z6

Tel: 604-639-5969

Fax: 604-437-0928

UUM in its business as intermediates understand each and every insurer having business dealings with has established and maintained proper privacy policy. Privacy policy of any insurer(s) listed on your insurance policy is also available upon request.