Privacy Policy
Last updated: 27 August 2025
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 27 August 2025
Who We Are
Merit Financial Services Limited (“us”, “we”, or “our”) operates the meritprotection.co.uk website (the “Service”).
Registered address: 60 Portland Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9AB
Data protection contact: Malcolm Steevens advice@meritfinancialservices.co.uk
Purpose of this Policy
This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal data when you use our website or services, in accordance with UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Data Controller
For the purposes of the UK GDPR, we are the data controller.
What Personal Data We Collect
We may collect, use, store and transfer different kinds of personal data about you, such as:
- Name
- Email address
- Contact details
- IP address
- Usage and technical data (browser type, pages visited, etc.)
How We Collect Your Data
- Direct interactions: When you fill in forms or communicate with us.
- Automated technologies: Such as cookies, server logs, and analytics.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data only where:
- Necessary to provide our services to you (performance of a contract);
- You have given consent;
- Necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g. site analytics, improving our services), unless overridden by your rights;
- Required to comply with a legal obligation.
How We Use Your Data
Your personal data is used for:
- Providing and maintaining our service
- Managing your account
- Communicating with you
- Improving our website and its services
- Producing policy quotes
Disclosure of Your Data
We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers as needed to operate the Service, under strict contractual obligations for data security and confidentiality.
We do not sell your data.
International Transfers
If personal data is processed outside the UK, we ensure appropriate safeguards (standard contractual clauses or equivalent) are in place.
Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy and to comply with legal obligations.
Your Data Protection Rights
You have the right to:
- Access your personal data
- Have inaccurate data corrected
- Request erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
- Object to or restrict processing
- Data portability
- Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at advice@meritfinancialservices.co.uk
Automated Decision Making
We do not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling.
Children’s Privacy
Our Service is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Security
We use technical and organisational measures to protect your data, but no method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure.
Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve site functionality and analytics. You may set your browser to refuse cookies, but some site features may not function properly. For more details, see our Cookie Policy.
Links to Other Sites
Our Service may include links to websites not operated by us. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.
Use of PreQuo by iPipeline
We use PreQuo a service provided by iPipeline, as our main third-party tool to help deliver personalised protection advice and site engagement. When you use PreQuo features (such as quote forms or risk assessments), information you provide (like name, contact details, or risk data) will be shared with iPipeline for processing, lead generation, and analytics in support of these services.
What is shared:
Information you enter into PreQuo features on our website.
- Purpose: To generate personalised protection reports, facilitate quotes, and improve our service.
- Legal basis: Performance of a contract, your consent (when you use PreQuo features), and our legitimate interests.
Read more about PreQuo here.
Read iPipeline’s privacy notice here.
iPipeline may process your data outside of the UK, with safeguards in place as required by law.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy. Changes will be posted on this page.
Regulatory Jurisdiction
The guidance and/or advice contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime, and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Contact Us
For any other questions , please contact us at advice@meritfinancialservices.co.uk
Complaints
If you wish to register a complaint, please contact us at advice@meritfinancialservices.co.uk
A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 023 4 567.
You may also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk if you believe your data has not been handled correctly.