The AOS Privacy Policy |
About your privacy
At Aos, your privacy is, and always has been, very important to
us. We are dedicated to providing you with superior service while
protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information.
"Personal Information" is defined as information about
an identifiable individual, though it does not include the name,
business title, business address or telephone number of employees
of organizations.
Our ten privacy principles
Aos is committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality and
security of your personal information. As part of this commitment,
we have adopted the following ten principles.
1. Accountability
Aos is responsible for maintaining and protecting the personal information
under its control and shall designate one or more individuals to
be accountable for compliance with these principles.
2. Identifying Purposes
The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be
identified before or at the time the personal information is collected.
3. Consent
Individual's consent will be obtained for the collection, use or
disclosure of personal information, except where the law provides
an exemption.
4. Limiting Collection
The personal information we collect shall be limited only to that
which is necessary for the purposes identified.
5. Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention
Personal information shall only be used or disclosed for the purposes
for which it was collected, unless an individual has otherwise consented
or when it is required or permitted by law. Personal information
shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment
of those purposes.
6. Accuracy
We shall keep personal information as accurate, complete and up-to-date
as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it is to be
used.
7. Safeguards
We shall protect personal information using security safeguards
that are appropriate to the sensitivity level of the personal information
received.
8. Openness
Aos will provide information to individuals about our policies and
procedures relating to the management of personal information that
is under our control.
9. Individual's Access
On written request to our Privacy Officer, an individual will be
informed of the existence, use and disclosure of their personal
information that is under our control, and may be given access to
that personal information as required and permitted by law. Individuals
are entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of that
personal information and request that it be amended, if appropriate.
10. Handling Enquiries or Complaints
Any questions or enquiries concerning compliance with our privacy
policies and procedures may be addressed to our Privacy Officer,
as set out below.
Why we collect and use personal information
Collecting personal information about you is essential to our being
able to provide the products and services that best meet the needs
of both yourself and/or authorized third parties ("Client").
While the personal information we collect may come directly from
you, it may also be provided by our affiliates or other third parties
(such as employers, insurance companies, insurance brokers or agents,
credit organizations, motor vehicle and driver licensing authorities,
financial institutions, medical professionals, etc.).
Personal information may be used:
• To determine eligibility for products and services
• To process applications for Clients, and provide requested information,
products or services
• To understand and assess Clients' ongoing needs and offer products
and services to meet those needs
• For billing and accounting services relating to our products and
services
• For Client communication, service and administration
• For claims administration
• For internal, external and regulatory audit purposes
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• To share or exchange reports and information with credit reporting
agencies, credit bureaus, and any other person, corporation, firm
or enterprise to verify the accuracy of personal information
Personal information may also be used for other purposes, subject
to obtaining your prior consent for such use.
Consent to use personal information
Consent may be obtained in various ways. We may obtain your express
consent or we may determine that consent has been implied by the
circumstances. Express consent could be in writing (for example
in a signed consent, e-mail or application form), or verbally in
person or over the telephone.
When we receive personal information from you that enables us to
provide you with a requested product or service, your consent to
allow us to deal with that personal information in a reasonable
manner would be implied. If you need to provide personal information
about other individuals (such as employees, dependants, etc.), you
must obtain their consent for these purposes prior to your disclosure
to us.
Providing us with your personal information is always your choice.
When you request services from us, we ask that you provide information
that enables us to respond to your request. In doing so, you consent
to our collection, use and disclosure to appropriate third parties
of such personal information for these purposes. You also authorize
us to use and retain this personal information for as long as it
may be required for the purposes described above.
Your consent remains valid even after the termination of our relationship
with you, unless you provide us with written notice that such consent
is withdrawn. By withdrawing your consent, or not providing it in
the first place, you may limit or even prevent us from being able
to provide you or an authorized third party (such as an employer)
with the products or services desired.
In certain circumstances, consent cannot be withdrawn, such as where
personal information is required for policy issuance or renewal,
insurance underwriting or claims administration of current policies.
There are also legal exceptions where we will not need to obtain
consent or explain the purposes for the collection, use or disclosure
of personal information. For example, this exception would apply
if there is an emergency that threatens the life, health or security
of an individual, or if we must comply with a court order.
Sharing personal information with others
We are not in the business of selling client lists or personal information
to others. In providing our services, we may need to disclose the
personal information we collect to affiliates, subsidiaries, successors
and other service providers or agents who perform various functions
for us (such as underwriters and claims adjusters).
As Aos continues to develop and grow, we may buy or sell parts of
a business. As our businesses consist primarily of client relationships,
information regarding the particular accounts or services being
purchased or sold could include personal information and be one
of the transferred business assets.
In certain circumstances, we may be required to provide personal
information to third parties for legal or regulatory purposes.
We may also use this personal information to assess your future
needs and to offer the products and services that may best meet
those needs, from ourselves, our affiliates or reputable organizations
selected by us. If you do not wish to receive these offers or such
information, please contact our Privacy Officer as outlined below
in the contact information section.
Keeping information accurate
It is important that your personal information is accurate and complete.
Having accurate information about you enables us to give you the
best possible service. You have the right to access, verify and
amend the information we have about you. We rely on you to keep
us informed of any changes, such as a change of address, telephone
number or any other circumstances - simply contact your local office
representative.
Despite our best efforts, errors sometimes do occur. If you identify
any personal information that is out-of-date, incorrect or incomplete,
let us know and we will make the corrections promptly and use every
reasonable effort to communicate these changes to other parties
who may have inadvertently received incorrect or out-of-date personal
information from us.
How we safeguard personal information
At Aos, we employ physical, electronic and procedural safeguards
to protect our systems and all personal information under our control
against unauthorized access and use. All safety and security measures
are appropriate to the sensitivity level of the information collected.
Our service providers and agents are required to maintain Client
confidentiality, and may not use the information for any unauthorized
purpose.
Employees are governed by strict standards and policies to ensure
that personal information is secure and treated with the utmost
care and respect.
Privacy and the Internet
Aos may collect user information from its websites (for example,
via cookies which are alphanumeric identifiers transmitted from
a website to a visitor's browser and IP address). This information
is used solely for enabling us to provide you with a customized
online experience and to find ways to improve our site. Although
cookies are widely used, it may be possible to disable cookies via
your browser settings. However, in so doing, some websites may not
function properly or optimally.
Aos websites may contain links to other third party sites that are
not governed by this privacy policy. Although we endeavor to link
only to sites with high privacy standards, our Privacy Policy will
no longer apply once you leave this website ("aosassurance.bb").
We are not responsible for privacy policies employed by other third
parties or any foreign affiliates, since they would be governed
by privacy legislation applicable in their country of residence.
We suggest, therefore, that you examine the privacy statements of
those sites to learn how personal information may be collected,
used and/or disclosed.
Contact information
Please contact our Privacy Officer to obtain further information
about our policies and procedures or if you have any unresolved
enquiries or concerns. Our Privacy Officer can be contacted as follows:
Mail: Aos
P.O BOX 1304,
Sunrise House,
Wildey Main Road
St. Michael, Barbados
Attention: Privacy Officer
E-mail: info@aosassurance.bb
While Aos makes every effort to secure all communications within
our control and on our premises, please be advised that no method
of delivery is absolutely secure and any communication of personal
information may be accidentally or deliberately intercepted by third
parties.