Privacy & Security

PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy is provided to you by Guaranty Insurance Services, Inc. and its affiliates, including, Guaranty California Insurance Services Inc. (collectively, “Guaranty”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
 
We know the importance of respecting your privacy and maintaining your trust. This Policy is given to help you understand the steps we take to protect your privacy and how we collect, use and share the information we obtain about you in the course of doing business. Whenever possible, we have written this Policy in simple, plain language.

Information About Our Privacy Policy
We want to tell you about the information we collect and how we may share it.  We will only share your information as allowed by applicable federal and state laws and in accordance with the terms of this Policy.  The information in this Policy applies to both our current and former customers.  This Policy replaces all other Privacy notices or information we may have given you.

Protecting Your Personal Information
We take your privacy seriously.  We have physical, electronic and procedural security measures in place that comply with legal standards to protect your personal information.  The only employees and agents who have access to your personal information are those who must have it to provide products or services to you and who agree to keep the information confidential.  We pledge to work with you to protect and control the security of your personal information.

Information We Might Need to Collect
Personal information includes any identifying information, such as:
• Name, residence and e-mail addresses, and phone number
• Age, marital status, occupation, social security number, assets, income 
   and family member information
• Claims history, medical record, driving record, car make and model, license
   number, lender or lease agent
• Credit standing, credit score, policy coverages, premiums, and policy payment history

We collect your personal information from:
• You in person, by telephone, fax, email, or over the Internet
• Forms you submit to us, such as applications, claims forms, or policy updates 
• From others when, for example, investigating claims or verifying information
• Your business dealings with us and other companies, such as claims,
   premium payments, account balance and history, and policy coverage
• Consumer reporting agencies to determine credit history
• The applicable DMV to verify driving record, auto title, or license status

How We Use and Disclose Personal Information
We do not share your information with anyone except as provided in this Policy.  We do not sell your personal or medical information to anyone.  We do not share your information with non-affiliate companies that would use it to contact you about their own products or services without your consent.  We require persons or organizations that assist us in servicing your policies and claims to keep your information confidential.  Access to your social security number is limited to those individuals who need access for business purposes.  We do not share credit information with anyone for marketing, or for any other purpose except as provided in this Policy.  In the course of normal business activities, we may share the information we collect about you, both within Guaranty and with non-affiliated companies in order to fulfill a transaction you request, service your policies, market our products to you, handle your claims, prevent fraud or to comply with requests from regulatory and law enforcement officials.  The receivers of this information could include:
• Your agent, broker or Guaranty-affiliated companies
• Other insurance companies, agents, or credit reporting agencies who perform jobs to 
   maintain your policies or process your transactions
• Service providers who help us process and service your account
• Medical-care facilities or providers
• Courts, governmental or regulatory agencies
• Law enforcement officials to protect against fraud or unauthorized transactions
• A group policyholder for purposes of reporting claims experience
• Others with whom you ask that we share
• As otherwise allowed by law

Additionally, we share personal information with insurance carriers that collect information about claim history, accident fault, and amounts paid.  Information obtained from a report prepared by these insurance carriers may be retained by them and shared with other persons who are legally entitled to see it.

The Internet and Online Security
We understand that online privacy and confidentiality of your personal information is important to you and is essential in our business. Whether you are just visiting our website at www.guarantyins.com (including any sub-domains or affiliated sites, the “Site”) or you are a current customer, we safeguard your information. This Policy applies whether or not you are a Guaranty customer.

We may use “cookies” and other similar technology on the Site.  Software "cookies" are designed to customize and simplify your use of a specific website. They are small files of information that interact with your browser and are used to track usage of websites you visit and to identify you and your preferences for certain kinds of information each time you visit. It is important to know that cookies do not harm your computer and will not contain information that would enable anyone to personally identify you or to contact you via e-mail, telephone, or traditional mail.  You can set up your browser to inform you when cookies are set or to prevent cookies from being set.

We use standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) enabled browsers on all portions of the Site that require you to provide personal information, including the online quote form. You may also contact us by phone, U.S. Mail, or by visiting one of our offices if you do not wish to provide such information on the Site. Please see our contact information on the Site for location information.

Information from the online quote request form is collected on a secure server and transferred to us using encryption. The information gathered is maintained and used in accordance with this Policy.

Your Privacy Choices
We may share your information with other affiliates of Guaranty or other insurance entities to obtain competing quotes and provide you with better coverage or pricing. If you do not want us to share your information for this purpose, you may "opt-out" as described in the form entitled “Important Privacy Choices for Consumers”.

Nonpublic Health Information
Nonpublic health information about you will not be disclosed to any non-affiliated companies other than for underwriting purposes, claim handling, or reinsurance to allow for the proper transaction of our business or as required by law or legal process. FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Pursuant to California law, we need to disclose to you that we would obtain your consent before sharing medical information for marketing purposes.

Right to Access and Correct Information
You may write us at the address below with questions about your information we may have.  You may see and copy your information in person, or, if you prefer, we will copy and send you your information. We will not share any privileged information, such as information collected in connection with a lawsuit or claim. If you believe the information we have in our files is incomplete or incorrect, you may request that we complete or correct the disputed information. We will be happy to make corrections whenever possible and appropriate.  If we do not make the change, you may file a written statement of dispute with us.  We will include the written dispute in future disclosures of that information.  We will also send the written dispute to anyone you ask who received your information from us in the past two years.  To exercise these rights, please send us a written request with your name, address, insurance policy number, daytime phone number, and the information you would like access to or that is in need of correction.  For security reasons, we may need to verify your right to such information before providing access.

Please direct your request to the following address.

Guaranty Insurance Services Inc.
Attn: Privacy Coordinator
2301 W. Plano Parkway Suite 108
Plano, TX 75075-8428

Security Education

What can you do to protect your security online?
1. Protect your password
2. Act with caution while online
3. Beware of fraudulent email
4. Use virus protection software
5. Use a current browser
6. Keep your operating system up to date
7. Consider the use of personal firewall software

Protect Your Password
User IDs, passwords or PINs should be used when accessing an online account to protect your personal information.  You should keep all User IDs, passwords and PINs confidential.  Passwords should be unique - use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters when creating your passwords – and should be changed regularly.

Act With Caution While Online
Remember to sign off the Site once you have completed your online session and only provide your User ID and password when your browser indicates an encrypted connection.  An encrypted connection is normally indicated by an "https://" in your browser's address bar in front of the address of the page you are visiting and/or a small padlock symbol in the lower right corner of your screen.  Sending personal information such as your Social Security number, credit card information or other personal data over the Internet is unsafe if you cannot validate the business reputation of the company and perform transactions in a secure Web site.  Before sending private information on the Internet make sure you are using a secured connection.  E-mail messages are generally not secure and you should use discretion with respect to the submission of any personal or financial information via e-mail.

Beware of Fraudulent E-mail
Fraudulent e-mail (ex: spoofing, phishing) is one that is created by an unauthorized person to look like it is a legitimate e-mail. The intent is to try to get you to provide personal, confidential information so it can be used for identity theft and financial fraud.  Fraudulent e-mails are difficult to detect because they seem authentic.  In this regard, we will not request that you send us an e-mail containing personal, confidential information nor will we send personal, confidential information in an e-mail to you.

Use Virus Protection Software
If your computer becomes infected with a virus, you could possibly lose information and incur repair expense.  It is recommended that your computer have an anti-virus protection program installed to reduce the risk of your computer becoming infected.  Ideally, your anti-virus protection program should provide automatic upgrades on a recurring basis. If you current anti-virus program does not have this automatic upgrade feature, make sure you update your virus detection program regularly and whenever you hear of a new virus.  We advise you not to open attachments or diskettes unless you are certain that you can trust the source.  You should learn how to manually screen diskettes and attachments if your anti-virus software does not automatically screen for viruses.

Use a Current Browser
An Internet browser provides access and the ability to navigate on the Internet.  Most computers come with a browser already installed.  You should check your browser on the vendor’s web site frequently to obtain the latest security patches.

Keep Your Operating System Up to Date
Operating system vendors regularly release updates to computer operating systems.  These updates can include fixes for security vulnerabilities in the operating system.  Not updating your operating system can make your computer vulnerable to a virus or other problems.  Check your operating system vendor’s web site regularly for updates and security patches for your operating system.

Consider the Use of Personal Firewall Software
A firewall is a system that blocks unauthorized access by individuals and networks. Placing a personal firewall on your computer can prevent unauthorized access to your computer and information stored on it.

IMPORTANT PRIVACY CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS

You have the right to control whether we can share some of your personal information. 
Please read the following information carefully before you make your choices below.

Your Rights
You have the following rights to restrict the sharing of personal and financial information with insurance entities that we do business with.  Nothing in this form prohibits the sharing of information necessary for us to follow the law, as permitted by law, or to give you the best service on your accounts with us.  This includes sending you information about other Guaranty products or services.

Your Choices
Restrict Information Sharing with Insurance Entities:  Unless you say “No”, we may share your information with other insurance entities to obtain competing quotes and provide you with better coverage or pricing.

(___)  NO, please do not share my information with other insurance entities to obtain competing quotes.

Time Sensitive Reply
You may make your privacy choice at any time.  Your choice marked here will remain unless you state otherwise.  However, if we do not hear from you within 30 days, we may share some of your information with companies and other insurance entities with which we have contracts to obtain competing quotes on your behalf.

To exercise your choice of not sharing your information for the purposes of quoting your policy with other carriers; complete, sign, and return this form to the following:

Guaranty Insurance Services Inc.
Attn: Privacy Coordinator
2301 West Plano Parkway, Suite 108
Plano, TX 75075-8428

You may want to make a copy of this completed form for your records.

Instead of mail; you may fax (866) 652-9394 or call (800) 423-3595 toll-free and ask to speak with the Privacy Coordinator.

Name: 
Account or Policy Number(s):
(to be filled in by consumer)

Current Address:


Signature: