Vulnerable Customers

This Family Violence, Supporting Vulnerable Clients and Financial Hardship Policy (Policy) has been developed to comply with National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) Insurance Brokers Code of Practice (the Code) and sets out how QIB Group of Companies (“We”, “Us” or “Ours”) identifies and supports vulnerable Clients, including those affected by Financial Hardship and Family Violence.

For the purposes of this Policy, any reference to “Clients” includes clients of ours as well as any other individual entitled to Financial Hardship support under the Code. This could include individuals who we are seeking to recover money from as we believe they have caused damage to an insured Client.

We are committed to exercising greater care when dealing with vulnerable Clients. A person may be vulnerable due to a range of factors, including:

1. age;
2. disability;
3. mental health conditions;
4. physical health conditions;
5. family violence;
6. language barriers;
7. cultural background;
8. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status;
9. remote location; or
10. financial distress.

QIB Group of Companies has a long-standing commitment to conducting its business with honesty and integrity and remains committed to full compliance with the Code and informing Clients, employees and authorised representatives about information and assistance available to vulnerable people, including those experiencing Financial Hardship and Family Violence.
This policy and our internal policy and training programs assist employees to:

1. Identify and understand if a Client may be vulnerable;
2. determine how best, and to what extent, they can support a vulnerable Client;
3. take account of a Client’s particular needs or vulnerability; and
4. engage with a vulnerable Client with sensitivity, dignity, respect and compassion. This may include arranging additional support and referring the Client to specialised people or services.

We may need to be flexible and vary the approach based on individual circumstances, including providing more personalised support to help navigate our processes and working within any processes and procedures set by our security partners.

We are committed to taking extra care with customers who experience vulnerability.

We recognise that a person’s vulnerabilities can give rise to unique needs, and that their needs can change over time and in response to particular situations.

A person’s vulnerability may be due to a range of factors such as:
a. age;
b. disability;
c. mental health conditions;
d. physical health conditions;
e. family violence;
f. language barriers;
g. literacy barriers;
h. cultural background;
i. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status;
j. remote location; or
k. financial distress.

If you tell us, or we identify, that due to a vulnerability you need additional support or assistance we will work with you to find the best outcome to support your needs. Our staff undergo relevant training to ensure your needs are addressed with sensitivity, dignity and respect.

We will always put your best interests first in dealing with insurers and service providers.

“violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a member of the person’s family or causes the family member to be fearful.”

Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), section 4AB.

Family Violence means much more than physical violence.  It includes:

• emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse; and
• damage to property.

The way employees deal with Clients who may be affected by Family Violence should facilitate, rather than act as a barrier to identifying Family Violence and improve the experience of those affected by Family Violence.

The aim of the Policy is to ensure that whenever Family Violence is identified or suspected, the safety of the Client affected by Family Violence and their family is protected.

We recognise that Family Violence is unacceptable in any relationship and Clients experiencing Family Violence will be treated with dignity and respect.

The support of Clients experiencing Family Violence and their family is the highest priority.  Clients who indicate or disclose Family Violence are able to access support from us that is appropriate to their circumstances.

• ensuring safe and confidential communication in light of individual circumstances;
• helping to set up new insurance policies;
• helping to arrange access to financial hardship support; and
• referral to specialist support services.

These assistance measures may be expanded and varied depending on what our insurance partners have established.

For those customers requiring assistance with language barriers or cultural support, we have compiled a list of our employees and their cultural / language proficiencies, who are available to assist with translation services. We also have their consent to provide cultural support if required, including our Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander team members.

Additionally, for languages outside of our Company capabilities, we are able to engage TIS National, the Australian Government’s Translating & Interpreting Service, to support our clients or their parties requiring further language assistance. Arrangements can be made for both immediate and pre-booked phone or on-site conversations.

For further information, please visit https://www.tisnational.gov.au/ or call 1800 131 450 to request assistance in your preferred language, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If a customer or third party is deaf and/or experiences difficulty hearing or speaking with individuals using a telephone, we may utilise the services of the National Relay Service (NRS). Various services can be provided and tailored to the individual needs, such as Voice Relay Calls, TTY (Speak/Type/Listen/Read), SMS and video conferencing.

For further information, please visit https://www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs/ or contact the Voice Relay number 1300 555 727 (TTY 133 677) or the SMS Relay number 0423 677 767.

We will maintain a record if a cultural support / interpreter is utilised or if there are reasons preventing us from arranging one.

In circumstances where the issue is complex or unable to be dealt with by the primary person who took the call, it is to be immediately referred to the Compliance Team for consideration.

The Client must be informed of this action.

If we are advised or we identify that a client or potential client requires support from a third party (eg: lawyer, interpreter, or friend) we will make reasonable accommodations to allow for this.

The support the QIB Group of Companies can provide is limited to the payments owing to us that are not premiums or premium funding, and we will endeavour to support you and explore suitable solutions tailored to your individual situation.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and are unable to pay your premium, or premium funding commitments, we will collaborate with you and your insurer to identify appropriate support options.

For further information regarding the General Insurance Code of Practice, to which insurers may adhere, or to request a copy of the Code, please visit https://insurancecouncil.com.au/.

For further information regarding the Premium Funding Code of Practice, to which premium funding companies may adhere, or to request a copy of their Code, please visit https://www.afia.asn.au/ipf-code.

For additional details about the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice, which we also subscribe to, or to obtain a copy of the Code, please visit our group website or alternatively, https://niba.com.au/code-of-practice

Potentially, you may require additional support to navigate challenging circumstances. For complimentary, confidential, and independent financial advice, please consult Financial Counselling Australian at https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/ or contact the national financial counselling helpline on 1800 007 007.

We will aim to ensure that all employees and have been trained and receive ongoing training so that they:

• are aware of QIB Group of Companies policies and procedures when they are engaging with vulnerable Clients;
• identify vulnerable Clients, including those affected by Family Violence;
• deal appropriately and sensitively with vulnerable Clients; and
• apply the Family Violence & Supporting Vulnerable Clients policy and related policies and procedures relevant to their role in dealing with Clients.

Training is aimed at assisting employees to reduce the impact of vulnerability and Family Violence on Clients.