Disclosure Notices

 

Standards for financial services
 Since March 2004 the law has imposed higher standards that protect you whenever you deal with an insurance broker. All businesses that offer 'financial services' must hold an Australian financial services licence or AFS licence. Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty.Ltd. operates under licence number 234533.

All licensed businesses must:
- operate efficiently, honestly and fairly
- ensure staff and representatives are properly trained and supervised
- have proper complaints handling procedures in case anything goes wrong and must belong to an independent complaints scheme that you may use at no cost.

Every business must tell you what you need to know
Anyone advising you on or selling you financial products must give you key documents about their services, advice and the products:

Authorised Representatives
 Liability Brokers Pty.Ltd. is a Corporate Authorised Representaive of Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty.Ltd. They mainly deal in liability products eg. professional indemnity insurance.

A J Burns Insurance Broking Pty Ltd. is a Corporate Authorised Representaive of Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty.Ltd. They deal in most general insurance products.

Relationships
 'We are a shareholder of Steadfast Group Limited. Steadfast has exclusive arrangements with some insurers under which Steadfast will receive between 0.5-1.0% commission for each product arranged by us with those insurers. These payments are used to operate Steadfast.

Depending on the operating costs of Steadfast (including the costs of member services provided by Steadfast to us and other Steadfast shareholders) and the amount of total business we place with the participating insurers in any financial year, we may receive a proportion of that commission at the end of each financial year.

As a shareholder of Steadfast we have access to member services including model operating and compliance tools, procedures, manuals and training, legal, technical, banking and recruitment advice and assistance, group insurance arrangements, product comparison and placement support, claims support and group purchasing arrangements. These member services are either funded by Steadfast, subsidised by Steadfast or available exclusively to shareholders for a fee.' You can obtain a copy of Steadfast's FSG at www.steadfast.com.au

What financial service are you getting?
 The Financial Services Guide (FSG) is an important document which we are required to give you as an Australian Financial Services Licensee. The FSG is intended to inform you of certain basic matters relating to our relationship, prior to providing you with a financial service. The matters covered by the FSG include:
- who we are and how we can be contacted - what services and types of products we are authorised to provide to you - how we (and any other relevant parties) are remunerated - details of any potential conflicts of interest and - details of our internal and external dispute resolution procedures and how you can access them.

It is intended that the FSG should assist you in determining whether to use any of our services. If you choose to use any of our products and services you may also receive other documents relating to the services or products which you should read carefully. These documents may include either or both of the following:
For a copy of our FSG: Financial Services Guide

Privacy Statement
 This statement sets out our policy relating to the privacy and security of your personal information. Our Privacy Policy
Statement of Advice (SOA)
 This will usually be given whenever we provide you with any advice which takes into account your objectives, financial situation and needs (personal advice). The SOA will contain the advice, the basis on which it is given and other information, including information about fees, commissions and associations which may have influenced the provision of this advice.

No SOA will be provided in respect of advice given by telephone, fax or e-mail in relation to insurance products. However, details of such advice will be recorded in a Record of Advice which you will have the right to request for up to 90 days after the advice has been given.

Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)
 This will be provided when we make a recommendation to acquire a particular financial product or offer to issue or arrange the issue of a financial product. This document contains significant information necessary for you to make an informed decision about that product.

Insurance Brokers Code of Practice
 The Insurance Brokers Code of Practice is intended to promote:

  • Good relations between insurance intermediaries that are members of the Code and their clients, insurers and others involved in the insurance industry.
  • Efficiency in transactions by describing standards of good practice and the level of service to be expected from Members.
For a copy, click here: Insurance Brokers Code of Practice

Complaints Procedures
  1. Contact us about your complaint. We will do our best to resolve it quickly.

  2. If your complaint is not satisfactorily resolved within 21 days, please contact the Complaints Officer on 03 9878-8999 or put your complaint in writing and send it to:
    Complaints Officer
    Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty.Ltd.
    128 Canterbury Road, Blackburn South Vic 3130

    We will try and resolve your complaint quickly and fairly.

  3. Blackburn (Insurance Brokers) Pty.Ltd. is a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). If your complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction by us you have the right to refer the matter to AFCA.

    AFCA can be contacted at:
    GPO Box 3
    Melbourne VIC 3001

    Tel: 1800 931 678,
    email info@afca.org.au
    website www.afca.org.au.

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