Terms of Business

The Financial Services Authority

Lansdowne Woodward Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our FSA Register Number is 306150. 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/pages/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.

Our Service

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 Personal and Commercial Insurances from a range of insurers, but for certain products we may only deal with a single insurer or select from a limited number of insurers. We will give you further information about this before we finalise your insurance arrangements.

Complaints and Compensation

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 Lansdowne Woodward Ltd, Princes Court, Princes Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9JG. By phone: Telephone (01202) 874989. If you are still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (except in the case of commercial customers with a group annual turnover of £1m or more, or trustees 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 insurance, size of the business (if a commercial customer or charity) 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 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 the insurers or product providers and it is not our standard practice to make additional charges, nor impose fees, but if in exceptional circumstances we consider it necessary, you will always be advised in advance. 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. We also draw your attention to the sections headed 'Cancellation of Insurances' and 'Ending your relationship with us'.

Handling Client Money and/or Insurer Money

Our financial arrangements with most insurance companies are on a 'Risk Transfer' basis. This means that we act as agents of the insurer in collecting premiums and handling refunds due to clients. In these circumstances such monies are deemed to be held by the insurer(s) with which your insurance is arranged. However, if Risk Transfer does not apply, such monies will be held by us in a Statutory Trust account set up in accordance with FSA rules. Interest earned on monies held in such a Statutory Trust account will be retained by us.

Cancellation of Insurances

You should make any 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. 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. In the event of cancellation commission earned by us in placing or arranging the insurance is non-refundable.

Conflict of Interests

Occasions can arise where we or 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.

Ending Your Relationship With Us

Subject to your immediate settlement of any outstanding premiums and fees, you may instruct us to stop acting for you and we will not impose a penalty. Your instructions must be given in writing and will take effect from the date of receipt. In circumstances where we feel we cannot continue providing services to you, we will give you a minimum of 7 days notice. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, if our relationship ends, any transactions previously initiated will be completed according to these Terms of Business. You will be liable to pay for any transactions concluded prior to the end of our relationship and we will be entitled to retain commission received for conducting these transactions.

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 any material fact or other information material to the insurance 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. You should read all insurance documents issued to you and ensure 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 must 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.

Confidentiality 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. We may also disclose details to relevant parties, as necessary, to comply with regulatory or legal requirements. We may contact you or pass your details to other companies associated with us in order to promote products or services which may be of interest to you. 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 it being processed by us in arranging and administering your insurances. Subject to certain exceptions, you will be entitled to have access to your personal and sensitive personal data for which you may be charged a fee of £10. If at any time you wish us or any company associated with us to cease processing any of the personal data or sensitive personal data we hold, or to cease contacting you about products and services, please write to us at the address shown above.

Claims Handling Arrangements

We will employ due care and skill if we act on your behalf in respect of a claim, keeping you advised of progress. We will provide you with a claim form if appropriate and advise you on how to further your claim. Claim forms and other documents must be fully and accurately completed and any material information must be disclosed. Failure to comply could invalidate your insurance cover and mean that all or part of your claim may not be paid. Please ensure that you seek our advice before responding to a third party regarding a claim.