Disclosure of Personal Information during Car Insurance
A Insurance Article Contributed by Deepak Cutting
Protection of Personal and Other Information Provided When Negotiating Car Insurance
While negotiating quotes from different car insurance companies, customers are called upon to disclose sensitive personal information. Whether or not they eventually take that particular policy, the information provided in the process of obtaining quotations is sometimes a source for some concern. It is therefore necessary to understand the treatment accorded to such personal information that the prospective customers are called upon to provide when negotiating car insurance.
Possible Unwanted Disclosure of Personal Information Associated with Car Insurance Procedures
In case the car insurance policy is being negotiated over the Internet, the very nature of communication via the Internet renders information exchanged to possibly become available to certain other agencies. Should the Insurance Company with whom negotiations are being carried out have a secured web site, the likelihood of information going astray in this way is eliminated.
Sometimes, knowingly or otherwise, the customer is redirected to other web sites when declaring personal information and some such information regarding the customer may become available to that web site. The company insuring or negotiating to insure your car will not take responsibility in this regard.
Personal information disclosed at the time of obtaining a car insurance cover becomes necessary since non-disclosure of such information as will be necessary to correctly assess the risk involved, would render the insurance policy invalid, denying you any benefits. Also, it is an offense under the Road Traffic Acts to make any false statements or withhold any information to obtain Car Insurance.
In case you were advised by any medical practitioner to discontinue driving, the car insurance policy, if issued to you, is not valid. The insurance company has no liability in this case.
Type of Personal Information Collected by Car Insurance Companies
This includes general information such as your name, address, telephone number, age, gender, credit and debit card details etc. The intended purpose of such inquiry is usually disclosed to you when such information is collected. Then there is some 'sensitive information', which may include details such as your medical condition, details of previous claims, criminal convictions, etc. All sensitive information is 'strictly confidential', to be used only for the intended purpose.
Also, the car insurance company could create 'cookies' on your web browser, to determine your browsing patterns etc. Use of information thus collected is to meet any legal obligation; in your vital interests and in order to prevent or detect crime. Information thus collected will not be disclosed for purposes other than:
where the car insurance company is legally compelled to do so;
where it is public interest to disclose;
where disclosure is in the interest of the insurance company;
where such disclosure is made with your consent.
In case you make a claim then the insurers may need to share your information with any other parties involved in such claim. This could include third parties involved in the claim, medical authorities, police etc. Also, the insurer may wish to validate your medical, police or other information provided by you.
