Privacy

When you use our website and transact with us online, our commitment to the protection and privacy of your and your client’s personal information is a priority. This means handling your personal information in a responsible manner in accordance with the Privacy Act. General web enquires may be directed to ‘subject matter experts’  (Brokers or specific experts) who are best qualified to address broad owner builder queries.

Who are we?
We are Australian Owner Builders Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AOBIS) and all wholly owned subsidiaries. (ABN 95 122 431 654) (AFSL308705)

Our Commitment to privacy
We are committed to ensuring your privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the General Insurance Code of Practice 2005. This document outlines how we will collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information in accordance with the Act and the Code. If you believe we have not acted in accordance with this policy or the Privacy Act you may make a complaint through our complaints handling procedure. For further details on accessing our complaints process please visit AOBIS website at www.aobis.com.au or contact us at 1300 850 131.

How do we collect your personal information?
The method by which information may be collected will depend on the nature of the services being provided. We may collect information in person, in writing, by telephone, via email or through the internet. Whenever we collect personal information we will do everything we reasonably can to let you know:

• How to contact us;
• Why we are collecting the information;
• The organisation or types of organisations to which we disclose the information;
• If we are required by law to collect the information; and

The consequences should you choose not to provide the information.
We authorise our insurance underwriters, agents, brokers, claims managers, and other service providers to collect personal information on our behalf. In each case we have an agreement in place with the service provider that authorises them to collect the information, record, use and store the information for the services we have authorised them to perform, and transfer the information to us.

In some circumstances we may seek personal information that other external parties hold on you. This will generally be to clarify information that you have provided on your proposal form or claim form where that information pertains to records held by the external party.

If you do not provide us with the information required, we may not be able to provide you with the product or service you request.

How do we store your personal information?
We store all personal information by a combination of physical and electronic storage methods. We take reasonable steps to ensure that the security of all information is adequate to protect it against loss, unauthorised access, destruction, modification, or false disclosure.

How do we use your personal information?
Generally we will use personal information only for the primary purpose for which it was collected, or for a purpose which is related to the primary purpose. The personal information you provide to us may, regardless of the means by which it is collected, be used to:

• Provide to you our insurance services;
• Provide to you information which you have requested;
• Notify you of other AOBIS services or promotions from time to time; and
• Manage our relationship with you.

Do we disclose your personal information to other parties?
We will only disclose your information to external parties where it is required to undertake a service that you have engaged us to provide. The service providers that we may disclose your information to include the following:

• Agents, advisors, and brokers;
• Claims management and other service providers;
• Claims adjusters, loss assessors, and other claims investigators authorised by us;
• Lawyers;
• Out reinsures and reinsurance brokers; and
• The Financial Ombudsman Service or other alternative dispute resolution schemes.

We may disclose your information to any government organisation or other organisation as required under law. We may also disclose information to any other party where consent is obtained from you prior to the notification.

Will we use your personal information for direct marketing purposes?
We may undertake direct marketing towards existing customers. If you would prefect not to receive these communications you may inform us or your broker/agent. All electronic communications contain an unsubscribe function.
We will not sell or otherwise disclose your information to any external party for their direct marketing activities. We also do not purchase contacts from any external parties for the purposes of our own direct marketing activities.

How can you access personal information we have about you?
You have the right to access any information we hold about you, although there are some exceptions to this. If you wish to make a request please contact us. For simple requests we will provide the information free of charge. In some circumstances we may pass on any direct costs associated with obtaining any information that you request. All charges will be notified to you before they are incurred.

How can you correct any errors in the information we hold?
Where you discover that we have made an error in any information we hold on you, you may make a request for us to correct the error. We may request that you provide further proof before acting on any request for a change. This is to ensure that all alterations are made by authorised persons and are accurate and lawful in nature.

How can you contact us?
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, if you wish to complain about how we have handled personal information about you, or if you wish to access or correct your personal information, please contact the Privacy Office at AOBIS through one of the following means:
Phone: 1300 850 131
Email: underwriter@aobis.com.au
5-7 Peninsula Blvd, Seaford, VIC 3198

Spam Policy

Australian Owner Builder Insurance Services (AOBIS) is committed to complying with its obligations under the Spam Act 2003 (Cth), at all times.

AOBIS assures you that:

• AOBIS has crafted an internal policy to educate its staff on the legislation and implement clear guidelines and rules in relation to the dissemination of commercial electronic messages;
• AOBIS will not send you any unsolicited commercial electronic messages without your consent;
• You are at liberty to unsubscribe from any mailing list to which you have previously subscribed. If for any reason there appears to be no facility to end your subscription, please send us an email to underwriter@aobis.com.au advising of your wish to unsubscribe, or you may call 1300 850 131 and request to speak to our Administrator; and
• AOBIS promises not to use address-harvesting software in any circumstances.

To assist AOBIS to combat Spam we kindly request your assistance with the following:

• If you receive an offensive message, which appears to originate from a AOBIS email address, please assume that it has been sent in error and notify us immediately on the above noted contact details;
• Please ensure that you unsubscribe from any of AOBIS ’s mailing lists if you decide you no longer wish to receive commercial messages from Australian Owner Builder; and
• If you do subscribe to AOBIS ‘s mailing lists, please ensure that we have your current details at all times, by updating us on any change in or cancellation of your email address.

  We appreciate your cooperation.

Family & Domestic Violence Policy Statement

INTRODUCTION
We are committed to the highest standards of compliance with applicable financial and domestic abuse laws and seeks to follow best practice where it is able. This Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy outlines our commitment to victims of financial or domestic abuse and has been endorsed by our Board and Senior Management.

Our Financial & Domestic Violence Policy is maintained and reviewed regularly by senior management. Senior management will also communicate the content of the Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy to staff and will ensure there is appropriate training and monitoring of compliance.

References to “you” in this Policy Statement means you as a policyholder, director, employee or other insured person or insured under a policy arranged or issued by us.

OUR APPROACH

Financial abuse in the context of domestic and family violence (domestic and financial abuse) is a serious and widespread problem affecting people in communities across Australia.

Our purpose is to deliver insurance products that benefit Australians. We recognise that some of our clients may be in vulnerable circumstances.

The Board and senior management receive regular reporting on risks relating to financial and domestic abuse and have ultimate accountability. The purpose of this Policy is to inform all our staff, stakeholders and insureds of the required approach to ensure financial and domestic abuse is not enabled and to protect the interests of victims.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Our senior management are responsible for implementing effective Financial & Domestic Abuse procedures, monitoring compliance with those procedures and reporting to the Board. Senior management reports to the Board at least annually and at any such time as a matter of material concern arises (including in respect of any material breach of this Policy).

Our senior management understand the relevant legislation and regulations and have the full support of the Board in carrying out their responsibilities.

Senior management’s responsibilities include:

• Establishing, maintaining and monitoring our financial and domestic abuse procedures.
• Receiving reports of any suspicious activity from within the business or from external stakeholders.
• Establishing and maintaining training for our staff.
• Reporting to the the Board.
• Working with the underwriters to monitor developments in legislation, regulations and practice.
• Escalating incidents and liaising with regulatory and law enforcement bodies where it is appropriate to do so. (Note: there may be times where notifying third parties, including insurers, syndicates and managing agents may not be allowed under applicable legislation).
• Conducting periodic reviews of our compliance with financial relevant legislation.

If you have any queries or concerns regarding any financial or domestic abuse issue you should contact us immediately and request the matter be referred to one of our senior management team.

OUR TRAINING

We believe that it is of critical importance that all our relevant members of staff receive an appropriate level of training on how to assist you in dealing with financial or domestic abuse. We will therefore ensure we provide suitable training. We are supporting our people by:

• Educating our people on how to recognise and address financial or domestic abuse and providing them with the tools and resources necessary to achieve you wherever possible.
• Strengthening our workplace responses and gender equality strategy to support those affected by domestic and financial abuse.
• Engaging our people through volunteering.

OUR PRIVACY

We understand that privacy and confidentiality can be critical to safety in any domestic and family violence situation and will take care to protect your personal information in line with our Privacy Policy.

Depending on your personal circumstances, we can help you:

• Change your personal, policy or login details to help protect the security of your information.
• Please note this may not be appropriate in circumstances where a violent family member is controlling your finances using your details, and any change may be a threat to your safety.
• Change arrangements for anything we may need to send to you. For example, by nominating the mailing address of a trusted family member or PO Box.

OUR ACCESSING SUPPORT AND INFORMATION
There is a large range of support services available to you if you are experiencing domestic and family violence or financial hardship.

Please feel free to contact us at any time for further information on relevant service providers or contact the Health Authority in your state or territory.