Privacy Policy

ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how and why ACE (ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance), its representatives, distributors, reinsurers and authorized administrators ("we" "us" "our") handle the personal information of customers, potential customers, claimants, insureds and policyholders ("you" "your"). This Privacy Policy may be modified from time to time.

The very nature of ACE's business is such that the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is fundamental to the products and services we provide. We work hard to respect and maintain personal privacy and accordingly align this policy with the 10 Principles as set out by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Document Act (PIPEDA):

Principle 1 — Accountability: An organization is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate an individual or individuals who are accountable for the organization’s compliance with the following principles.
Principle 2 — Identifying Purposes: The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by the organization at or before the time the information is collected.
Principle 3 — Consent: The knowledge and consent of the individual are required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate.
Principle 4 — Limiting Collection: The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the organization. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.
Principle 5 — Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention: Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfilment of those purposes.
Principle 6 — Accuracy: Personal information shall be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
Principle 7 — Safeguards: Personal information shall be protected by security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.
Principle 8 — Openness: An organization shall make readily available to individuals specific information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.
Principle 9 — Individual Access: Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use, and disclosure of his or her personal information and shall be given access to that information. An individual shall be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.
Principle 10 — Challenging Compliance: An individual shall be able to address a challenge concerning compliance with the above principles to the designated individual or individuals accountable for the organization’s compliance.

These principles are usually referred to as “fair information principles”. They are included in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), Canada’s private-sector privacy law.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
At ACE, consent is obtained from you for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, unless inappropriate. The purpose for which information is collected, used or disclosed is either obvious or if not, we state the purpose, either at or before the time the information is collected, used or disclosed. We collect only that personal information which is necessary to such purposes.

At ACE, we typically collect, use and disclose personal information for insurance purposes such as assessment of risk, processing applications for insurance, providing insurance products and related services, investigating claims and to prevent or deter fraud. We consult our existing files for these purposes. We collect most information directly from the individual to whom the information relates. However, in the underwriting of insurance risks and the investigation of insurance claims, we verify information and obtain information from independent sources and organizations.

We collect, use and disclose personal information only in accordance with the consent provided by the individual to whom the information relates, in accordance with this Privacy Policy, our contractual rights and obligations and the law.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information for Insurance Purposes
Subject to legal and contractual restrictions, an individual may decline or revoke consent to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information for insurance purposes. However, if that is the case, our insurance products and related services and benefits and the assessment of claims may be limited or terminated.

Sometimes, we also collect, use and disclose personal information for marketing purposes. We offer new, additional and upgraded products and services through many different distribution channels. For example, we may use the name, address and age of an existing policyholder to offer an upgrade in coverage. Consent to this marketing use of personal information is entirely optional.

If you do not wish us to collect and use your personal information for marketing purposes, you should notify ACE's Privacy Officer at the address presented within this policy. Once notified, we will not use personal information to communicate with you about upgrades to or additional coverage, special offers and promotional mailings.

Accuracy of Personal Information
We endeavour to ensure and maintain the accuracy of the information we collect and use. However, we rely on you to disclose material information to us and to inform us of any changes.

Safeguarding Personal Information
We apply appropriate safeguards to our computer networks and physical files and we restrict access to personal information to those employees, authorized administrators, reinsurers, consultants or insurance representatives who need to know that information in order to underwrite or administer insurance products or services.

As a member of a global group there may arise circumstances wherein ACE may disclose your personal information to ACE Group and other affiliates, service providers, reinsurers, agents and, or employees possibly located in foreign jurisdictions. Your information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions outside of Canada. Whether located in Canada or not, all persons are obligated to protect your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Disclosure of Personal Information
As a general rule, all personal information is held in strict confidence and except in limited circumstances it is not disclosed to anyone unless expressly or implicitly authorized by you. Personal information is sought and exchanged with both affiliated and unaffiliated insurance companies, reinsurers and insurance industry organizations at the time of assessing an application for insurance, any renewal, extension, variation or cancellation of any issued policy, as well as in the event of any claim, to the extent necessary for industry statistical purposes or to assess and rate specific risk, determine the status of coverage and investigate claims. We also seek and disclose information to combat fraud; where permitted or required by law; or, at the request of government regulators.

We sometimes retain a third party or reinsurer ("authorized administrator") to perform marketing, administrative, underwriting, reinsurance, investigation and other insurance related services on our behalf in support of the products and services we provide. These authorized administrators are obligated to use personal information only for the limited purpose of providing such services and they must comply with the requirements of this Privacy Policy.

Retention and Access to Your Personal Information
Personal information is retained only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected and to satisfy legal and contractual obligations. Given the nature of insurance and the on-going exposure to potential claims, where necessary, some of the information we collect for insurance purposes is retained indefinitely.

You have the right with satisfactory identification and proof of entitlement to access and verify your personal information to request access or, if applicable, request a correction of your personal information. The right to access is not absolute. For example, there is no right to access information subject to a legal privilege. Access to personal health information may be obtained through your health care professional.

We may charge a reasonable fee in advance for copying and sending information you have requested and to which you have a right of access. Should this be the case, you will be advised.

Contacting the Privacy Officer
The Privacy Officer
ACE INA Life Insurance
PO Box 11233 STN BRM B
Toronto ON M7Y 2G1
Phone: 416-368-2911
Fax: 416-594-3000

About ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance
ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance are members of the ACE Group, headed by ACE Limited (NYSE:ACE), and is rated A+ (Stable) by A.M. Best Company and A+ (Positive) by Standard & Poor’s. ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance, through its underwriting companies, provides insurance products and services throughout Canada. Additional information on ACE INA Insurance and ACE INA Life Insurance and its products and services can be found at www.ace-ina-canada.com. The ACE Group of Companies provides insurance and reinsurance for a diverse group of clients around the world

The ACE Group of Companies provides products and services in almost 50 countries to a broad range of local and multinational corporations.