1. Introduction
Heritage Risk Advisory ("we", "us", or "our") is a New Zealand specialist equine insurance broker. We are committed to protecting your personal information and handling it in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 (New Zealand) and the Information Privacy Principles (IPPs).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose, and protect personal information in connection with our equine insurance services, including mortality, major medical & vet fees, stallion infertility, international transit, and care, custody & control cover.
It applies to current and prospective clients, individuals who enquire about our services, and anyone who interacts with our website or provides personal information to us.
2. What Personal Information We Collect
We only collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for our functions and activities as an insurance broker. The information we collect may include:
2.1 Information about you
• Name, address, email address, telephone number, and other contact details
• Date of birth and identification details (where required for verification or underwriting)
• Financial and payment information (for premium payments and billing)
• Communication preferences and records of our correspondence with you
2.2 Information about your horses / insured animals
• Horse details (name, age, sex, breed, colour, microchip, branding, registration, pedigree)
• Use and location of the horse (racing, breeding, sport, pleasure, stud, training, etc.)
• Value, purchase price, and ownership details
• Veterinary history, health and soundness information, and claims history
• Details of any other parties with an interest in the horse (e.g. trainers, managers, co-owners, mortgagees)
2.3 How we collect information
We collect personal information:
• Directly from you when you submit an enquiry, application, or claim, or communicate with us
• From your authorised representatives (trainers, managers, veterinarians, other brokers)
• From insurance underwriters (including Lloyd's syndicates), other insurers, and service providers
• From publicly available sources and industry databases where relevant to underwriting or claims
• Automatically via our website (see section 8)
3. Why We Collect and How We Use Your Information
We collect and use personal information for the following purposes:
• To respond to enquiries and provide quotes for equine insurance
• To assess risk, arrange cover with underwriters (including Lloyd's), and bind policies
• To administer policies, process premiums, handle endorsements, renewals, and cancellations
• To assist with claims notification, investigation, and settlement
• To communicate with you about your cover, claims, and related services
• To detect, prevent, and investigate fraud or other unlawful activity
• To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations
• To improve our services and website
• To market our services to you (where permitted and subject to your preferences)
We will not use your personal information for a purpose other than the one for which it was collected (or a directly related purpose) unless you authorise us to do so, or the use is otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act 2020.
4. Disclosure of Personal Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances:
• Insurance underwriters and carriers: Including Lloyd's syndicates and other insurers in New Zealand, Australia, or overseas, for the purpose of obtaining quotes, placing and administering cover, and handling claims.
• Service providers: Third parties who assist us with technology, administration, payments, claims support, veterinary assessment, or other operational services, under obligations of confidentiality.
• Your authorised representatives: Such as trainers, managers, veterinarians, or other parties you have authorised us to deal with.
• Legal and regulatory: Where required or authorised by law, including to regulators, courts, or in connection with legal proceedings.
• Business transfer: In connection with a sale, merger, or transfer of all or part of our business.
4.1 Overseas disclosure
Some of the underwriters we work with (including Lloyd's of London) and certain service providers are located outside New Zealand. When we disclose personal information overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure that the information is protected in a way that is consistent with the Privacy Act 2020. By dealing with us, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred to, and processed in, countries that may not have the same privacy laws as New Zealand.
5. Storage and Security
We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, unauthorised access, use, modification, or disclosure. These steps include:
• Limiting access to personal information to authorised personnel who need it to perform their roles
• Using secure systems, access controls, and appropriate technical safeguards
• Maintaining physical security of records where applicable
• Requiring service providers to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security measures
While we take these steps, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please contact us immediately.
6. How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain personal information only for as long as is reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law (including insurance and financial services record-keeping obligations). When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify it.
7. Your Rights – Access and Correction
Under the Privacy Act 2020 you have the right to:
• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of personal information that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading
• Request that we attach a statement of correction if we are unable to correct the information
To make a request, please contact us using the details in section 10. We will respond to access and correction requests as soon as reasonably practicable and in accordance with the Privacy Act. We may need to verify your identity before processing a request. In some limited circumstances we may refuse a request (for example, where providing access would unreasonably interfere with the privacy of another person, or where the information is subject to legal professional privilege). If we refuse a request, we will explain the reasons and advise you of your right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner.
8. Website and Cookies
When you visit www.heritageinsurance.co.nz we may collect certain information automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and referring website. We may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, improve its performance, and understand how it is used.
You can usually control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the website. Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.
9. Marketing Communications
From time to time we may contact you about our insurance products and services. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe facility in our emails. We will continue to send you important service-related communications about your existing policies even if you opt out of marketing.
10. How to Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or wish to make a privacy complaint, please contact us:
Heritage Risk Advisory
Website: www.heritageinsurance.co.nz
Email: info@heritageinsurance.co.nz
We will acknowledge and investigate privacy complaints promptly and fairly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may make a complaint to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (www.privacy.org.nz).
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The current version will always be available on our website with the effective date shown. We encourage you to review it periodically.
12. Acknowledgement
By using our website, submitting an enquiry, or dealing with us in relation to equine insurance, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described.