Privacy Policy
About the Focus Privacy Policy
Focus Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (Focus) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of its clients.
Focus are covered by the Federal Privacy Act and it’s National Privacy Principles (“NPP’s”), which set out standards for the collection, use, disclosure and handling of personal information. Personal information is essentially any information or opinion that can identify a person (e.g. a name and address).
How and why Focus collect personal information
Focus collects personal information either directly from individuals or indirectly from third parties. For example, an insured party may not only provide Focus with information on themselves for the purpose of utilising its services but also on other insured’s that they represent (e.g. other insurance brokers).
Focus may also obtain personal information from past insurers, witnesses to claims, and publicly available sources. Without collecting and using the information provided to us, we would not be able to do business with you.
Focus collects personal information during the course of its relationship with you. Collection of information may take place in a number of ways, such as when you complete an application form for a new product or service or at renewal, request a product or service over the internet, telephone or e-mail or contact Focus to lodge a claim.
Focus collects personal information in order to provide its various services. Focus may also use personal information to:
- Help determine insurance requirements and provide appropriate products and services
- Develop and identify products and services that may interest clients
- Conduct customer satisfaction surveys
- Establish and administer alliances and other arrangements with other organisations in relation to the promotion, administration and use of Focus respective products and services.
For more information regarding Focus services please contact your Focus Account Manager.
How Focus uses and discloses personal information
Focus does not use or disclose personal information for any purpose that is unrelated to its services and that you would not reasonably expect (except with your consent).
Focus has a duty to maintain the confidentiality of its client’s affairs which includes their personal information. Focus’ duty of confidentiality applies except where disclosure of your personal information is with your consent or required by law.
Focus discloses personal information to third parties who are involved in the provision of its services. For example, in arranging and managing your insurance needs, Focus may provide information to insurers, reinsurers, other insurance intermediaries, its advisors such as loss adjustors, lawyers and accountants, and other parties involved in the claims handling process.
Focus may disclose your personal information to mail service providers for the mailing of statements, insurance policy documentation and/or Focus direct marketing material or use your personal information during the process of staff training. Focus may also provide it to purchasers of its business and related Focus companies.
Focus takes reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information it collects from you is accurate, complete and up-to-date whenever Focus collects, uses or discloses it. If the personal information Focus requests from you is not provided, Focus or any involved third party may not be able to provide the appropriate services.
What Focus expects of you and third parties it deals with
When you provide Focus with personal information about other individuals, Focus relies on you to have made them aware that; you will or may provide their information to Focus, the purposes Focus uses it for, the types of third parties Focus discloses it to, and how they can access it (as described in this policy). If it is sensitive information Focus relies on you to have obtained their consent to the above. If you have not done either of these things you must notify Focus before you provide the relevant information.
We rely on you to ensure that the personal information we collect from you is accurate, complete and up to date. Focus may contact you to confirm or change the details of your personal information however you can contact Focus at any time to update your personal information.
If Focus provides you with personal information, you and your representatives must only use it for the purposes Focus agrees to. Where relevant you must meet the requirements of the NPP’s set out in the Privacy Act 1988 when collecting, using, disclosing and handling personal information on Focus’ behalf. This obligation extends to your agents, employees and contractors.
In some cases we will require you to specifically consent to the collection, use or disclosure of your personal information by Focus. Your consent will usually be required in writing and in some cases your consent may be implied through your conduct such as when you continue a telephone call after you have been advised that the personal information will be collected, used or disclosed.
Security of your personal information
Focus takes all reasonable steps to protect any personal information that it holds from misuse and loss, and protect it from unauthorised access, modification and disclosure. For example, Focus maintains physical security over its manual and electronic records and premises, such as locks, security systems, and after hours security checks. Focus also maintains computer and network security, including firewalls to prevent unauthorised internet access to records, user passwords to control access to computer systems, and a detailed Business Continuity (Disaster Recovery) Plan.
Sensitive information
“Sensitive information” is defined as including information about someone’s political opinion/s or membership, professional or trade memberships, sexual preferences, criminal record, state of health, religion, racial or ethnic origin. Focus will only collect, use or disclose sensitive information with the consent of the person to whom it relates or as required by law.
Transfer of information overseas
Focus may transfer your information overseas where it is necessary to provide its services. For example, some insurers and reinsurers are based overseas and Focus may need to provide your personal information to them in order to place your insurance cover. In most cases we will not do this without your consent.
Direct Marketing
Focus may make use of your personal information to provide you with information about its products and services. If you do not want to receive any of this information or you do not want to disclose your information to any other organisation including related bodies corporate simply contact the Focus Privacy Officer as outlined below and you will not receive any further information. If you change your mind and want to receive information about Focus products and services at a later date, simply let Focus know.
By law, Focus is sometimes required to provide you with information related to the products and services you receive from us. You will continue to receive information about these products and services even if you have chosen not to receive general information about other products and services.
Focus does not disclose your personal information to any other party outside the Focus Group solely for the purpose of direct marketing their products and services to you.
Accessing your personal information
You are entitled to request access to the information Focus holds about you.
If you have reason to believe that the personal information Focus holds is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date, you are entitled to request that the information be amended.
Focus is not always required to provide you with access to your personal information however if your request is denied an explanation will be provided to you.
Focus may be required by law to retain your personal information for a specified period of time after you have ended your relationship with us. After the expiry of this required time, all reasonable steps will be taken to ensure the secure destruction of your personal information.
To make an enquiry or lodge a change request regarding your personal information, please contact the Focus Privacy Officer during business hours at:
Focus Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd
Suite 3, 12 - 14 North Concourse
Beaumaris Vic 3193
Telephone: (03) 8521 7180
There is generally no fee for requesting access to your personal information. In some cases however, a fee may be charged to recover costs where the information must be retrieved from archives.