Group Services Insurance Brokers (GSI) has been providing insurance brokerage services to groups, associations, companies and individuals for over 45 years. As a well established, independent corporation we strive for the highest levels of customer service and maintain strict policies and procedures surrounding the privacy of our clients’ personal information. We view our clients as our most valuable assets, and do not sell our clients’ personal information to any third party. Information is collected for proprietary use of GSI, its affiliates and partners to offer insurance and ancillary products and services to our clients and prospective clients (clients).
Why GSI Collects and
Discloses Personal Information
GSI collects and discloses personal information for the purposes of serving the needs of GSI customers and prospective clients. This includes information typically required on insurance and other applications and information necessary in the process of offering our quality products and services to our clients and fulfilling our responsibilities as insurance brokers. Some or all of the personal information collected will be shared with third parties, such as insurance companies or governmental bodies, only in the exercise of our duties as your insurance broker and to enhance our customer service and products offered.
Types of Information
Collected by GSI
GSI collects a wide variety of personal information. However, the quantity greatly depends on the circumstances surrounding the collection and the products or services being offered. Without limiting the generality of this, examples might include: property descriptions, claims histories, driving and vehicle related information, employment particulars, medical and health histories, banking and other financial information.
How GSI Obtains
Personal Information
GSI typically obtains personal information directly from the client either though fax, mail, electronic mail, telephone or in person. We do, however, collect additional information from third party sources in the process of providing our services. As an example, when we write or make a quotation on an automobile insurance policy, we may obtain a record of driving offences, or we may obtain claims or underwriting information from other insurance companies or other insurance industry sources. By providing GSI with certain information it is implied such consent is given by the client for GSI to access and utilize third party provided information.
How GSI Ensures the
Security of Your Personal Information
Personal information recorded in documents is securely stored at GSI’s offices in Canada and at the offices of GSI’s affiliated companies. Electronically recorded information is stored on computer systems maintained by GSI and GSI’s affiliated companies. Those computer systems and the information stored on them are protected by electronic security systems. Access to all personal information is restricted and only GSI employees, contractors and representatives with the proper authority are permitted to access such information, and only when they have a legitimate business need to do so. GSI employees receive training with respect to proper personal information handling practices and they are under obligation to comply with privacy laws, this policy and related codes of conduct.
How and to Whom GSI
Discloses Personal Information
GSI discloses personal information only for the reasons listed above or if required to do so by law. Furthermore, as insurance brokers it is necessary for personal information to be transferred to third parties in order to accurately provide our services and to ensure proper insurance coverage for our clients. Examples of these third parties include (but are not limited to): insurance companies, insurance underwriters, windshield repair companies, automobile repair shops, contractors, construction companies, investigators, financial institutions and others. (Please note, however, that when GSI discloses data containing personal information to third parties, the disclosure is subject to strict confidentiality requirements.)
Although attempts may be made to obtain formal consent to disclose personal information, generally consent is assumed to be implied by the client when GSI provides its services and or a broker-client relationship has been established. In addition, where other individuals may be named as an insured or perspective client of GSI, it is assumed that the principal client has attained the permission to disclose personal information of such individuals. (Consent may be revoked at any time with prior written notice by the client.)
When GSI discloses personal information to an approved investigative body (such as the Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau) or when we believe that the information relates to the breach of an insurance policy or other agreement or Canadian law, or when we are required by law to disclose the information, consent may not be obtained. Similarly, if personal information is disclosed to a lawyer for claims purposes or to obtain legal advice, consent may not be obtained.
Accuracy and Access
GSI is committed to the accuracy of the personal information that it uses or discloses. Upon written request and subject to the following (and any other reasonable conditions which may be necessary), we will provide reasonable access to personal information exclusively to the individual to whom it refers. We will not provide access in any of the following circumstances, if doing so would likely reveal:
- personal information about a third party;
- confidential commercial information;
- information that could affect the security of another person;
- information related to the actual or suspected breach of an insurance policy or other agreement, or the breach of Canadian law; or,
- information generated in the course of a formal dispute resolution process
Further Information
For further information regarding this policy or complaints management please write to our Privacy Officer, as follows:
Privacy Officer
Group Services Insurance Brokers
180 Lesmill Rd.
Toronto, Ontario M3B 2T5
Provide the following information:
- Clients’ full name
- Contact information
- Policy or binder number(s)
- Clear description of the inquiry or complaint, and
- Supporting documentation
Amendments
GSI may amend this policy from time to time and without notice. A current version will be posted on our internet site. Requests for hard copies should be directed to our Privacy Officer.
Internet Privacy Policy
GSI’s Privacy Policy is be available on our websites and posted on the following link: