Our Privacy Code

We are committed to providing our clients with excellent service. Doing business with a property and casualty insurance broker involves providing information about yourself, so protecting your personal information is one of our highest priorities.

Our brokerage and the insurance industry have a solid track record of respecting your right to privacy and safeguarding your personal information. As a result of federal legislation, we have further strengthened our privacy commitment by informing you why and how we collect, use and disclose your personal information.

You can be assured that we will only handle your personal information in a manner that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.

Why Do We Collect Personal Information?

When you first become a client, or whenever you acquire or renew a product from us, we need to collect some of your personal information. Common purposes for collecting your personal information include:

• Enabling us to acquire or renew an insurance policy for you.
• Assisting you and assessing your ongoing insurance needs.
• Assessing your need for other products, such as financial products, and offering them to you.
• Ensuring your information is accurate and up to date.
• Protecting both you and us against error or fraud.

What Personal Information Do We Collect?

Personal information is information that identifies you as an individual client and relates specifically to you. Depending on the purposes for which we need to collect it, we may ask for personal information including:

• Basic information such as your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, email address, birthdate and marital status.
• Claims history.
• Credit and past payment records.
• Driver’s record.
• Details about your property, such as the value of your home and its contents.
• Medical information, such as any condition that may affect the operation of a vehicle.
• Employment information.

We may obtain this information from:

• You.
• Insurance companies.
• Other insurance brokers or agents.
• Credit organizations.
• Motor vehicle and driver licensing authorities.
• Financial institutions.
• Medical professionals.

Who Do We Disclose Your Personal Information To?

For many of the purposes identified above, we may need to share your personal information with others in order to serve your needs. These parties commonly include:

• Insurance companies.
• Other insurance brokers or agents.
• Credit organizations.
• Professionals working with us, such as adjusters or lawyers.
• Financial institutions, such as the organization that carries your mortgage.

How Do We Protect Your Personal Information?

To protect your personal information and your right to privacy, we will:

• Not collect, use or disclose your personal information for any purpose other than those we identify to you.
• Keep your personal information only for as long as we need it to fulfill the stated purpose or as required by law.
• Maintain your personal information in as accurate, complete and up-to-date a form as possible.
• Safeguard your personal information to the best of our ability.
• Respond to any request you make to access or correct the personal information we hold about you.
• Obtain the appropriate consent from you for the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information.

Consent

We may obtain your express consent, or we may determine that consent has been implied by the circumstances.

• We may ask for your express consent in writing, such as through a signed consent or application form.
• We may ask for your express consent in person or over the telephone.
• We may determine that, by seeking insurance through our organization, you have provided implied consent for us to handle your personal information in a reasonable manner.

There are also legal exceptions in which we may not need to obtain your consent or explain the purposes for collecting, using or disclosing your personal information. For example, this may apply during an emergency or when it is necessary for your protection or ours.

You Can Control How We Handle Your Personal Information

We want you to know that you have choices in this matter. You may refuse to allow us to obtain, use or share your personal information. You may also withdraw previously given consent at any time.

However, depending on the circumstances, doing so may limit or prevent our ability to provide you with the product or service you require. For example, if you do not allow us to obtain information about your driving record, it is unlikely that we will be able to provide you with automobile insurance.

We will be happy to discuss specific situations with you and help you make an informed decision.

Contact Information and Resources

We are committed to treating you with respect and courtesy and to providing the highest level of service.

Please contact our Privacy Officer in writing at the address below if you:

• Wish to access your personal information.
• Wish to change your consent regarding how we collect, use or disclose your personal information.
• Have a complaint about our privacy policies or the manner in which we have handled your personal information.
• Have questions about our privacy policies.
• Wish to obtain a copy of our Personal Information Policy and Procedure Handbook.
• Would like additional information.

We will respond promptly and do our utmost to resolve your concerns.

To learn more about federal privacy laws, please contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at 1-800-282-1376 or visit www.priv.gc.ca.