I. Introduction:

As a current customer of Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc, we would like to take this opportunity to both thank you for your business and to share with you the importance our agency places upon protecting the privacy of information we gather from you in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc is a member of the financial services industry and, as such, our agency has been and continues to be subject to federal and state privacy laws regarding the collection and exchange of your information. The following is Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc’s privacy policy regarding the customer information we collect. Contained in this privacy policy you will find (1) an explanation of the types of information Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc collects from our clients and the means used to collect such information, (2) an explanation of how Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc shares the information collected from our clients, and (3) an explanation of how Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc protects client information.

II. Information we collect and the means used to collect:

Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc collects information about our customers that is necessary to provide those services usual and customary to independent insurance agents. Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc collects this necessary information from the following sources:

• Information we receive from you on applications or other forms.  This information may include, but is not limited to, your name, your agency’s name, FEIN, address, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, and other business information.
• Information about your clients’ transactions with us; this information may include, but is not limited to, claims and payment history.
• Information we receive from a consumer-reporting agency; this information may include, but is not limited to, a driving record or insurance score report.

To collect customer information from the above-stated sources, Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc may use the following means of communication to gather information: written, in-person, telephone, facsimile, electronically, and online.

III. How we share client information with non-affiliated third parties:

We don’t share information about our customers or former customers with non-affiliated third parties other than as permitted or required by law. For example, Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc may share all of the information listed above with non-affiliated third parties for, including but not limited to, the following reasons:

• Information that is necessary to service or process the insurance needs of your clients, in a manner that is consistent with the usual and customary services provided by independent insurance agents, MGA’s, and wholesalers. Such usual and customary services or processes provided by Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc to its customers include but are not limited to underwriting, shopping the renewal, rating, placement, and providing quotes for insurance that is germane to the coverage for the customer that you place with our agency.
• Information that is necessary to protect the confidentiality or security of our customers records
• Information that is necessary to resolve customer disputes or inquiries
• Information that is required by individuals or entities who are assessing our legal compliance.
• Information that is required for Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc to comply with the law.
• To an actuarial or research organization for the purpose of conducting actuarial or research studies
• Information that is necessary to protect against or prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions, claims, or other liability

IV. How we share client information with affiliated parties:

V. Our practices regarding information confidentiality and security:

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to guard your information. These safeguards include but are not limited to the following:

• We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about our customer and former customers to those employees who need to know that information in order to assist in providing services or products to the customer.
• We will punish any employees who impermissibly share client information.
• We use a secure Internet and e-mail provider to protect the confidentiality of electronic communications.

Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc appreciates your business and in order to continue building upon that relationship we believe it is necessary, not only from a legal standpoint, but also as a sound business practice that our customers understand the care our agency uses in handling your information. Shoemaker & Besser Associates Inc will continue to monitor the effectiveness of this privacy policy.