The Financial Services Authority

Mark Richard (Brokers) Ltd. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Our register number is 305499. Our permitted business is advising, arranging, dealing as agent and assisting in the administration and performance of general insurance contracts.

You can check this on the FSA’s Register by visiting the FSA’s website www.fsa.gov.uk/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 arrange insurance for you without advice, we shall confirm the position to you. We will not in any circumstances act as insurer nor guarantee or warrant the solvency of any insurer.

We select insurance products from a range of insurers. For legal expenses insurance we only offer policies from a single insurer, Motorist Services Ltd.

Complaints and compensation

We aim to provide you with a high level of customer service, but if you are not satisfied, contact the manager:

…in writing Write to:

Mark Richard (Brokers)Ltd.,
282 St Johns Lane,
Bristol,
BS3 5AY.

…by phone:

Telephone 0117 9231330

Ultimately 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).

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 business (if a commercial customer) and the circumstances of the claim. Further details are available from the FSCS.

Payment for our services

All adjustments and cancellations will incur an administration fee of £22. This is in addition to any other charges imposed by the product provider.

You will receive a quotation giving the total price to be paid, showing any fees separately, before your insurance arrangements are concluded.

Cancellation of Insurance

All policies are quoted on the basis that the policy will run for its full term irrespective of the payment method. In the event of a policy being cancelled prior to this insurers short period rates will normally apply. Any refund payable will be reduced by the amount of commission reclaimed by the product provider.

Legal Expenses and Vehicle Breakdown policies run concurrently with the main policy and in the event of the main policy being cancelled these policies will also terminate without refund.

You are therefore advised to seek our advice before deciding to cancel any policy.

Handling Client Money and/or Insurer Money

We hold client money collected for onward transmission to the product provider and return premiums, credits and claims payments in a client bank account under a non-statutory trust in accordance with the authorisation we have from the Financial Services Authority. A copy of the deed of trust is available for inspection on request. In the majority of cases we collect and hold money as agent of the product provider, however in some cases client money may pass through authorised entities before being received by the product provider, if this is the case you will be advised accordingly. Interest will not be paid to customers in respect of client money or money held in client bank accounts.

Your responsibilities

You are responsible for providing complete and accurate information, together with supporting documentation either we or your insurers may require, when you take out your insurance policy, throughout the life of your policy, and when you renew your insurance. It is important you check all details on any proposal form or statement of facts and pay particular attention to any declaration you may be asked to sign.

If you fail to disclose any material information to your insurers, this could invalidate your policy and mean that claims may not be paid. If you are in any doubt what constitutes material information please ask for advice.

Confidentiality of personal data

All personal data is treated by us as confidential and is processed in accordance with the relevant legislation. We will not disclose personal data without your consent, other than in the normal course of administering your insurances, except where we are compelled by law to disclose such data.