Independents (Insurance Solutions)         

3 Cutbush Court, Danehill, Lower Earley, Reading, RG6 4UW

Terms of Business

Accepting our Terms of Business

By asking us to quote for, arrange or handle your insurances, you are providing your informed agreement to these Terms of Business.  We draw your particular attention to:

The section headed ‘Use of personal data’ and specifically the paragraph explaining how ‘sensitive personal data’ will be used.

For your own benefit and protection, you should read these terms carefully.  If you are unsure about any aspect of our Terms of Business or have any questions regarding our relationship with you, please contact us at the above address.

The Financial Services Authority

Independents (Insurance Solutions) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).  Our FSA Register number is 313229.

Our permitted business is introducing, 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 service

Helping you to decide

Our role is to advise you and, after we have assessed your needs, to make a suitable recommendation.

We will not in any circumstance guarantee the solvency of any insurer.

The capacity in which we act for you

In providing our service, we may sometimes act as an agent of the insurer.  We will confirm the capacity in which we will act for you before undertaking any relevant transactions on your behalf.

Our product range and the range of insurers used

We select the appropriate General Insurance product from a range of insurers. We will inform you when another intermediary has been used to arrange the insurance.

Complaints and compensation

We aim to provide you with a high level of customer service at all times but, if you are not satisfied, please contact us:

in writing to:      Frank Adebowale, Independents (Insurance Solutions),  3 Cutbush Court, Danehill, Lower Earley, Reading, RG6 4UW

by phone...       Telephone 01189 875100

by email….       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

When dealing with your complaint, we will follow our complaint handling procedures; a summary of these procedures is available on request.

If you are still not satisfied, you may be entitled to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (except in the case of a business with a group annual turnover of £1m or more, a charity with an annual income of £1m or more or trustees of a trust with a net asset value of £1m or 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 business and the circumstances of the claim.  Insurance advising and arranging is covered for 100% of the first £2,000 and 90% of the remainder of the claim without any upper limit.  For compulsory classes of insurance (such as Third Party Motor or Employers Liability), insurance advising and arranging is covered for 100% of the claim without any upper limit.  Further information about compensation scheme arrangements is available from the FSCS on 020 7892 7300 or www.fscs.org.uk.

Payment for our Services

We normally receive commission from insurers or product providers. With certain insurers and products, the commission obtainable is insufficient to cover our costs and where this occurs, we may also charge you a fee in addition to the commission that we receive from the insurer. We will always advise you of the fee amount before you incur a liability to pay such fees.

You are entitled, at any time, to request information regarding any commission which we may have received as a result of placing your insurance business.

We also draw your attention to the sections headed ‘Cancellation of insurances’ and ‘Ending your relationship with us’.

Cancellation of Insurances 

You should make any request for the cancellation of a policy in writing and any relevant certificate of insurance must be returned to us or to the insurer concerned. 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 before the policy expires.

Your Responsibilities

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 information, or misrepresent any fact which may influence the insurer’s decision to accept the risk or the terms offered, this could invalidate the policy and mean that claims may not be paid.  You must check all details on any proposal form or Statement of Facts and pay particular attention to any declaration you may be asked to sign.

It is important that you read all insurance documents issued to you and ensure that you are aware of the cover, limits and other terms that apply.  Particular attention must be paid to any warranties and conditions as failure to comply with them could invalidate your policy. You must inform us immediately of any changes in circumstances which 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.

Use of Personal Data

We will process any personal information we obtain in the course of providing our services to you in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.  In administering your insurances it will be necessary for us to pass such information to insurers and other product or service providers which may also provide us with business and compliance support.

We may also disclose details to relevant parties, as necessary, to comply with regulatory or legal requirements. We will not otherwise use or disclose the personal information we hold without your consent. Some of the details you may be asked to give us, such as information about offences or medical conditions, are defined by the Act as sensitive personal data.  By giving us such information, you signify your consent to its being processed by us in arranging and administering your insurances.

Claims Handling Arrangements

You should take note of the required procedures in the event of a claim, which will be explained in the policy documentation.  Generally, insurers require immediate notification of a claim or circumstances which might lead to a claim.  We will employ due care and skill if we act on your behalf in respect of a claim.