Argos Coversafe
Protect your Argos Card and save yourself the worry
Table 2: Accident and Sickness Cover - only applicable if you are less than 65 years of age
Argos Coversafe
This part of the policy applies only if you have chosen to include Accident and Sickness as part of your policy and will be stated
on your demands and needs letter.
Summary of Cover
Features and Benefits
This policy summary does not contain the full terms and
conditions of the contract. Full terms and conditions can be
found in the policy document on pages 7-15.
• you must agree to pay the monthly premium and keep to
the terms and conditions of this policy.
Who is the insurer and administrator?
You should pay particular attention to the definitions of
“self-employment” and “cease trading” in the policy
document. This is to ensure that you meet the requirements
and understand the circumstances for making an
unemployment claim and the evidence you would need
to provide.
If you are self-employed:
Pinnacle Insurance plc is the underwriter and claims
administration provider of the policy. Cardif Pinnacle is a
trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc. Pinnacle Insurance plc
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Home Retail Group Insurance Services Ltd (HIS) is the
administration provider for policy queries, amendments and
cancellations;
If you work under a fixed-term contract:
What is Argos Coversafe?
Argos Coversafe provides benefits for your Argos store card in
the event of your death, accident, sickness, unemployment,
hospitalisation, critical illness or you becoming a carer. It also
offers purchase protection insurance where you have chosen
this cover as an option.
Eligibility
To become insured under this policy, you must meet all the
following conditions at the start date:
• you must be the first named on your agreement;
• you must be at least 18 and less than 65 years of age;
• you must have been in full-time employment or
self-employed (for at least 16 hours per week) for at least
6 continuous consecutive months immediately prior to the
start date;
• you must work, live and have the right to reside
permanently in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands
or the Isle of Man; and
You should pay particular attention to the definition of
“fixed-term contract” and Section 6 (vi) of the policy document.
This is to ensure you understand the situations in which you
would be entitled to make an unemployment claim and the
criteria you would need to meet if your contract was either
terminated early or not renewed.
You must continue to meet the conditions above to remain eligible
for the levels of cover that apply to you. If your circumstances
change or you no longer meet the conditions above you should
contact Argos straight away to discuss your options.
In the event of your death during the period of
Insurance, we will pay Argos for the credit of the
account, a sum equal to the balance outstanding
at the date of your death.
2
Thereafter, you will be entitled to a monthly
benefit for each continuous consecutive period
of 30 days you remain unfit for work.
Features and Benefits
If during the period of insurance you become
unemployed for 14 continuous consecutive days
or more, you will be entitled to an amount equal
to the monthly benefit.
Thereafter, you will be entitled to a monthly
benefit for each continuous consecutive period
of 30 days you remain unemployed.
The benefits applicable to you will depend on your age, the
type of employment you are engaged in, and whether you are
permanently retired or not.
The following tables summarise the different
levels of cover provided under this policy, for full
details please refer to the relevant sections of the
policy document.
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
The maximum benefit is £15,000, regardless of the number
of policies you may have with us.
Benefits will not be payable if your claim results from:
• a self-inflicted injury; or
• drug or alcohol abuse.
Policy
Reference
Sections
2 and 3
The maximum monthly benefit is £1,000, regardless of the
number of policies you have with us.
The maximum number of monthly benefit payments for any
one claim is 7.
Benefits will not be payable if your claim results from:
• a self-inflicted injury;
• drug or alcohol abuse; or
• cosmetic surgery.
Policy
Reference
Sections
4 and 5
Table 3: Unemployment Cover - only applicable if you are less than 65 years of age
What are the main features, benefits, exclusions and
limitations of Argos Coversafe?
Table 1: Life Cover - only applicable if you are less than 65 years of age
Features and Benefits
If during the period of insurance an accident
or sickness prevents you from working for 14
continuous consecutive days or more, you will
be entitled to an amount equal to the monthly
benefit.
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
Policy
Reference
The maximum monthly benefit is £1,000, regardless of the
number of policies you have with us.
The maximum number of monthly benefit payments for any
one claim is 7.
Benefits will not be payable if your claim results from:
• any unemployment that you know about or ought
reasonably to know about, when this policy starts;
• unemployment where your work is seasonal, casual or
temporary, or where your unemployment is due to your
misconduct or is voluntary in any way e.g. you resign.
• In the case of an unemployment claim you must satisfy
the definition of unemployment set out in the “Definitions”
Section 27 of the policy (and if you were self-employed,
you must have involuntarily ceased trading).
Sections
6 and 7
Table 4: Carer Cover - only available if you are less than 65 years of age
Features and Benefits
If you become unemployed due to the need for
you to become a carer, we will pay an amount
equal to the balance outstanding at the date you
become a carer. Once a payment has been made
under this part of the policy the carer cover part
of the policy ceases.
To receive the benefit you must have been a
carer for 14 consecutive days.
Payments are made directly to Argos for the
credit of the account provided you meet the
terms and conditions of this policy;
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
The maximum benefit payable is £15,000, regardless of the
number of policies you may have with us.
We will not pay any carer benefit if:
• at the start date you knew you would become
a carer or you had reason to believe that you
might become a carer; or
• the sickness, disease, condition or injury of
the person being cared for existed prior to the
start date.
Policy
Reference
Sections
8 and 9
3
Table 5: Hospitalisation Cover - only available if you are less than 70 years of age
Features and Benefits
If during a period of insurance, you are
continuously hospitalised for at least 7
consecutive days, we will pay Argos an amount
equal to the monthly benefit.
If during a period of insurance, you are
continuously hospitalised for 14 consecutive
days or more, we will pay Argos for the credit
of the account, a sum equal to the balance
outstanding or your authorised credit limit
(whichever is lower), at the date of your
hospitalisation.
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
The maximum benefit per month is £1,000.
The maximum amount payable is £15,000, regardless of the
number of policies you may have with us.
Benefits will not be payable if your claim results from:
• a self-inflicted injury;
• drug or alcohol abuse; or
• cosmetic surgery.
Policy
Reference
Sections
10 and 11
If you suffer a critical illness (from which you
survive for a period of 28 days or more from
the date of diagnosis) during a period of
insurance, we will pay to Argos for the credit
of the agreement a sum equal to the balance
outstanding.
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
The maximum benefit payable is £15,000, regardless of the
number of policies you may have with us.
Benefits will not be payable if your claim results from:
• a self-inflicted injury; or
• drug or alcohol abuse.
Policy
Reference
Sections
12 and 13
Table 7: Purchase Protection Cover - only applicable if you are less than 70 years of age and you have chosen to
include purchase protection as part of your policy and will be stated on your demands and needs letter
Features and Benefits
We will cover you against loss, theft or damage
for insured articles purchased by you, using your
store card within 365 days from the date of
purchase during the period of insurance or the
date of delivery, whichever is the later.
Significant Exclusions or Limitations
Policy
Reference
The maximum amount in respect of a single article is £1,500,
£15,000 for each event and £50,000, in total per annum.
The following are some of the exclusions:
• loss or damage due to intentional acts by you;
• fraud, abuse, neglect or failure to follow the
manufacturer’s instructions;
• theft from an unattended motor vehicle except where all
reasonable care has been taken to conceal the item; and
• unexplained loss of an insured article.
Sections
14 and 15
Policy
Reference
Contact Details
For general enquiries: Table 6: Critical Illness Cover - only applicable if you are less than 65 years of age
Features and Benefits
Table 8: General Information - Applicable to all Cover
Argos Card Services Limited, Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
For policy complaint:
The Customer Care Team, Argos Card Services Limited,
Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
You may contact Argos using TypeTalk on telephone number 18001 0844 892
0195. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded to assist with staff training
and for quality control.
For claims enquiries:
For claims complaint:
Page 1 of your
policy document
Claims Department, Cardif Pinnacle
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Tel: 0844 801 2174 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm)
You can also download a claim form and track your claim online
at: www.support.cardifpinnacle.com
Claims Department, Cardif Pinnacle, Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way,
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Tel: 0844 801 2174 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm)
Your right to cancel
If you cancel within 30 days of the start of this policy or the date you receive your policy documents, the cooling
off period, we will make a full refund of any premium you have paid, providing you do not make a claim. If you
do make a claim no refund will be payable.
If you cancel outside the initial 30 day “cooling off period”, no refund of premium will be payable.
To cancel, please contact:
Argos Card Services Limited
Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
Section 20
Our right to cancel
We may cancel your insurance cover immediately where there is evidence of dishonest or exaggerated behaviour
or where you have misrepresented or failed to disclose something at the time of application which would have
caused us to decline you for cover.
We may cancel your insurance cover by giving not less than 90 days’ written notice. We will only do this in the
circumstances set out in Section 21 of your policy document.
Section 21
Duration of Cover
Providing you pay your premium when due, this policy will continue until the date you no longer have an
agreement, you reach 70 years of age in respect of hospitalisation and purchase protection benefit, you reach
65 years of age in respect of accident, sickness, unemployment, critical illness and carer cover benefit, you
permanently retire, you die, you or we cancel the policy, the critical illness benefit is paid or you fail to pay the
monthly premium when due, whichever happens first.
You should review your circumstances regularly and consider whether this policy still meets your lifestyle needs.
Section 27
definition of
“end date”
Claims
To make sure you receive your benefits as quickly as possible you must notify us about your claim as soon as you can.
You should contact us using the contact details above to request a claim form.
For accident, sickness and unemployment claims, you can also download a claim form and track your claim online at:
www.support.cardifpinnacle.com
4
Sections 17,
18 and 19
5
Argos Coversafe
Premiums
The premium rate applicable to your cover may change during the time you have this policy. This may be
because of changes to our expected future costs. We will only change your premium rate for this reason where
there is a change to the specific factors we have set out in this policy, and that change results in our expected
future costs being higher or lower than assumed when the premium rate was set. This may include changes to
our expected future claims costs due to changes in economic conditions such as unemployment rates.
We will review your premium rate at least annually and you will be given at least 60 days’ written notice of
any alteration to the premium rates under this policy unless the change is due to legislative, tax or regulatory
requirements.
We may review your premium rate more frequently than annually if it becomes necessary due to significant
changes in any of the specific factors referred to in Section 22 except where your premium rate is changed due to
legislative, tax or regulatory requirements, the minimum period between consecutive changes will be 180 days.
As a result of the premium rate review, your monthly premium may go up, stay the same or go down, and there
is no limit to the amount of any change.
If a review results in an increase to your premium rate and you do not wish to pay the increase you can cancel
your policy with immediate effect by either telephoning or writing to Argos.
Your Policy Document
Section 22
Terms and conditions
We may vary or waive the terms and conditions of this policy. This may be to:
• vary the cover provided under this policy because of changes to our expected future costs. We will only change
your terms and conditions for this reason where there is a change to the specific factors we have set out in
Section 22 of your policy, and that change results in our expected future costs being higher or lower than
assumed when the premium was set.
This may include changes to our expected future claims costs due to changes in economic conditions such as
unemployment rates;
• improve your cover;
• comply with any applicable laws or regulations;
• reflect any changes to taxation; or
• correct any typographical or formatting errors that may occur.
Section 23
You will be given at least 60 days’ written notice of any alteration (including detailed advice about what has
changed and how it may impact you) to the terms and conditions of cover under this policy unless the change is
due to legislative, tax or regulatory requirements.
Except where the terms and conditions of cover under this policy are changed due to legislative, tax or regulatory
changes, the minimum period between consecutive changes will be 180 days.
Such changes may have the effect of increasing or reducing the cover previously provided under this policy. If you do not
wish to continue your cover you can cancel your policy with immediate effect by either telephoning or writing to Argos.
Compensation
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). If we are unable to meet our liabilities to you,
you may be entitled to compensation from the FSCS. Further information is available from their website: www.fscs.org.uk
Section 25
Complaints
For complaints regarding general administration of your policy:
Argos Card Services Limited, Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS,
Tel: 0845 640 0700
For complaints regarding claims administration of your policy:
Customer Relations Manager, Cardif Pinnacle, Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire,
WD6 2XX, Telephone: 0844 801 2174
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of any internal enquiries, you can ask the Financial Ombudsman Service
(FOS) to consider your complaint.
6
Section 26
Underwritten by Pinnacle Insurance plc
Head and Registered Office:
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
WD6 2XX, United Kingdom
Company Registered No. 1007798
Group Policy No. 02496
Date of Policy: 01/05/2012
This policy provides protection insurance for your Argos store card
in the event of your death, accident, sickness, unemployment,
hospitalisation, critical illness, you becoming a carer and
purchase protection insurance (where you have chosen this cover as
an option) providing you meet the eligibility criteria set out in
Section 1 and have paid the monthly premium when due.
This policy provides you with everything you need to know about
your cover and contains all terms and conditions of your cover
including the exclusions and limitations. Please make sure that you:
• are eligible for the insurance cover;
• know what this insurance does and does not cover;
• understand how changes in your employment may affect your
eligibility to claim; and
• understand the terms and conditions for making a claim.
This policy uses words and phrases that have specific meanings.
You will find these explained in Section 27 “Definitions”. Defined
words are shown in “bold” wherever they appear.
Contact details
For general enquiries:
Argos Card Services Limited, Thynne Street,
Bolton, BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
For policy complaint:
The Customer Care Team,
Argos Card Services Limited
Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
You may contact Argos using TypeTalk on telephone number
18001 0844 892 0195. Telephone calls may be monitored or
recorded to assist with staff training and for quality control.
For claims enquiries:
Claims Department, Cardif Pinnacle
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood,
Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Tel: 0844 801 2174 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm)
You can also download a claim form and track your claim online
at: www.support.cardifpinnacle.com
For claims complaint:
Claims Department, Cardif Pinnacle
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood,
Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Tel: 0844 801 2174
(lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm)
1. Eligibility
To become insured under this policy, you must meet all the
following conditions at the start date:
(i) you must be the first named on your agreement;
(ii) you must be at least 18 and less than 65 years of age;
(iii) you must have been in full-time employment or
self-employed (for at least 16 hours per week) for at least
6 continuous consecutive months immediately prior to the
start date;
(iv)work and live in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or
the Isle of Man. You will also be eligible for continued cover
if you worked and lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel
Islands or the Isle of Man and you are subsequently posted to
work outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the
Isle of Man as:
(a)a member of the British Armed Forces or as a civil servant
at a British Embassy or Consulate; or
(b)your employer is a United Kingdom registered company and
you are assigned to work within the European Union; and
(v) you must agree to pay the monthly premium and keep to
the terms and conditions of this policy.
You must continue to meet the conditions above to remain
eligible for the levels of cover that apply to you. If your
circumstances change or you no longer meet the conditions
above you should contact Argos straight away to discuss
your options.
2. Life benefits
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 65 years of age.)
We will, in the event of your death during a period of insurance,
subject to the other provisions of this policy, pay Argos for the
credit of the account, a sum equal to the balance outstanding
at the date of your death, up to a maximum of £15,000 regardless
of the number of policies you may have with us.
3. Life exclusions
No life benefit will be payable if your death results from or as a
consequence of the following:
(i) a self-inflicted injury; and
(ii)being under the influence of, or being affected by, alcohol or
drugs unless prescribed by a doctor (other than prescribed for
the treatment of drug addiction or alcohol dependency).
4. Accident and sickness benefits
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 65 years of age.)
This part of the policy applies only if you have chosen to include
Accident and Sickness as part of your policy and will be stated
on your demands and needs letter.
(i)If during the period of insurance an accident or sickness
prevents you from working for 14 continuous consecutive
days or more, you will be entitled to an amount equal to
the monthly benefit. Thereafter, you will be entitled to an
amount equal to the monthly benefit for each continuous
consecutive period of 30 days you remain unfit for work.
The monthly benefit will be paid directly to Argos for the
credit of the account provided you meet the terms and
conditions of this policy.
(ii) To receive the monthly benefit you must:
(a) b e in full-time employment or self-employment when
your accident occurs or sickness begins;
(b) be under regular care and attendance;
7
(c) be prevented from working only as a result of the accident
or sickness;
(d) not be receiving the monthly benefit for
unemployment for the same period; and
(e) give us any evidence we ask for in order to prove your
claim is valid and continues to be so.
(iii)When paying your claim we will consider the first day of
your accident or sickness to be the day a doctor certifies
that you are unfit for work.
(iv) We will continue to pay the monthly benefit until:
(a) we have paid an amount equal to the balance outstanding;
(b) we have paid 7 monthly benefit payments;
(c) you return to full-time employment or
self-employment;
(d) you fail to provide evidence of your accident
or sickness; or
(e) the end date;
which ever happens first.
(v)If you have made a claim and then find part-time work for
less than 16 hours per week you will still be able to claim
for accident and sickness benefit provided that you are in
receipt of Employment and Support Allowance.
(vi) Future Claims
(a) You may make a further accident and sickness claim:
(i)for an unrelated condition - if you have returned to
full-time employment or self-employment for at
least 1 month following the previous accident and
sickness claim, unless paragraph (b) below applies; or
(ii)
for the same or a related condition - if you
have returned to full-time employment or
self-employment for at least 3 consecutive months
following the previous accident and sickness claim,
unless paragraph (b) below applies.
However, if two periods of accident or sickness (each
resulting from the same or a related condition) are
separated by less than 3 consecutive months of full-time
employment or self-employment, we will treat them
as one continuous claim for the purposes of calculating
the maximum monthly benefits payable, but no
benefit will be payable for the time in between.
(b) If we have paid the maximum monthly benefits for a
single claim, you may only make a further accident and
sickness claim (whether resulting from a related
or unrelated condition) provided you have returned to
full-time employment or self-employment for at
least 6 consecutive months.
Statutory maternity or paternity leave can form part or all of
the 1, 3 or 6 month periods in (a) and (b) above.
(vii)Pregnancy and childbirth - we will pay benefit for any
accident or sickness resulting from any symptom(s) of, or
complication(s) of pregnancy and childbirth which a doctor
certifies prevents you from working, and which is not
excluded under any other exclusions listed in this policy.
However no benefit will be payable for normal pregnancy
and childbirth related conditions.
(viii)The maximum monthly benefit payable under this policy
is £1000, regardless of the number of policies you may have
with us.
8
5. Accident and sickness exclusions
(i) We will not pay any accident and sickness benefit if your
accident or sickness results from or as a consequence of the
following:
(a) a self-inflicted injury;
(b) being under the influence of, or being affected by, alcohol
or drugs unless prescribed by a doctor (other than
prescribed for the treatment of drug addiction or alcohol
dependency); and
(c) any elective surgical procedure or cosmetic surgery
unless directly attributable to physical injury, disease or
sickness.
(ii)No accident or sickness benefit will be payable if we make
any benefit payment for unemployment under Section 6
below in respect of the relevant day.
6. Unemployment benefit
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 65 years of age.)
Eligibility for unemployment benefit varies according to the type
of employment contract you hold and how your unemployment
comes about. It is important that you read Sections 6 and 7 as well
as the definitions of full-time employment, self-employment
and unemployment.
(i)If during the period of insurance you become
unemployed for 14 continuous consecutive days or more,
you will be entitled to an amount equal to the monthly
benefit. Thereafter, you will be entitled to an amount equal
to the monthly benefit for each continuous consecutive
period of 30 days you remain unemployed.
The monthly benefit will be paid directly to Argos for the credit of the account provided you meet the terms and conditions of this policy.
(ii) To receive the monthly benefit you must:
(a) be in full-time employment or self-employment for at
least 6 continuous consecutive months immediately prior
to you becoming unemployed;
(b) satisfy the definition of unemployed set out in Section
27 (and if you were self-employed, you must have
involuntarily ceased trading);
(c) not be receiving the monthly benefit for accident or
sickness for the same period; and
(d) give us any evidence we ask for in order to prove your
claim is valid and continues to be so.
(iii)When paying your claim, we will consider your first day of
unemployment to be the day you are first registered as
unemployed with the Department for Work and Pensions
Jobcentre Plus or equivalent government department in
Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a
European Union member state. You will not be considered to
be unemployed for days for which you receive payment in
lieu of notice.
(iv) We will continue to pay the monthly benefit until:
(a) we have paid 7 monthly benefit payments;
(b) you return to full-time employment or
self-employment;
(c) you fail to satisfy the definition of unemployed set out
in Section 27;
(d) you fail to provide us with evidence of your
unemployment; or
(e) the end date;
whichever happens first.
(v) Future Claims
(a) You may make a further unemployment claim if you
have returned to full-time employment or
self-employment for at least 3 consecutive months
following the previous unemployment claim, unless
paragraph (b) below applies.
However,
if two periods of unemployment are
separated by less than 3 consecutive months of full-time
employment or self-employment, we will treat them
as one continuous claim for the purposes of calculating the
maximum monthly benefits payable, but no benefit will
be payable for the time in between.
(b) If we have paid the maximum monthly benefits
for a single claim, you may only make a further
unemployment claim if you have returned to full-time
employment or self-employment for at least 6 months.
Statutory maternity or paternity leave can form part or all of
the 3 or 6 month period in (a) and (b) above.
(vi)Fixed-term Contract Workers - if you work on a fixed-term
contract and your contract is not renewed you will only be
entitled to claim for unemployment cover if you meet one
of the following criteria:
(a) you have been on a contract with the same employer for at
least 12 months and had the contract renewed at least once;
(b) you have worked continuously under contract with the
same employer for at least 24 months;
(c) you were originally employed on a permanent basis but
were transferred to a fixed-term contract by the same
employer without a break in employment; or
(d) you have been with the same employer and are under
a contract which is not regularly renewable but is
individually negotiated, and which has:
(i) been in force for at least 6 months;
(ii)been renewed at least twice; and
(iiiyour contract was terminated before it was due
to naturally expire.
If this is the case, we will restrict payments to the period up to the
original contract expiry date, subject to the terms of the policy.
(vii) Temporary Work
(a) An unemployment claim may be suspended for a period
of temporary work provided:
(i) you notify us before your temporary work starts; and
(ii) your temporary work lasts for at least one week and no
longer than 12 months, whether as one contract or a
series of contracts.
Once your temporary work has ended, we will continue to pay your claim as a continuation of your earlier claim
up to a maximum of 7 monthly benefit payments in total,
subject to the terms and conditions of this policy.
(b)If you are in temporary work with the same employer for
12 months or more and you are made unemployed, we
will pay unemployment benefit as set out in Section 6 (i),
subject to the terms and conditions of this policy.
(c) If you have an unemployment claim but you do not
submit your claim because you take temporary work,
you may submit your claim once the temporary work
has ended. We will then assess your claim, subject to
the terms and conditions of this policy, as if you had
submitted it following your initial unemployment.
(viii)Multiple Employment - If you are in full-time employment
with more than one employer and you are made
unemployed from one or more of your jobs, you will be
able to claim for unemployment benefit if you are no longer
working 16 hours a week or more in total and you meet
criteria (ii) and (iii) of the definition of unemployed, subject
to the terms and conditions of this policy.
(ix)The maximum monthly benefit payable under this policy
is £1000, regardless of the number of policies you may have
with us.
7. Unemployment exclusions
We will not pay any unemployment benefit if:
(i)at the start date you knew you would become
unemployed or you had reason to believe that
you might become unemployed;
(ii)
your work was seasonal, casual or temporary other than as
set out in Section 6 (vii) above or unemployment is a regular
feature of your work;
(iii)
you finish the job you were specifically employed to do, or you
come to the expected end of a fixed-term contract unless you
satisfy one of the conditions set out in Section 6 (vi) above;
(iv) you resign or you accept voluntary unemployment;
(v)
you lose your job because of misconduct, fraud, dishonesty
or as a result of any act you carried out;
(vi) you do not actively seek re-employment; or
(vii)the unemployment results from any condition excluded
under the accident and sickness exclusions set out in
Section 5.
8. Carer cover benefit
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 65 years of age.)
(i)If you become unemployed due to the need for
you to become a carer, we will pay an amount equal to
the balance outstanding at the date you become a carer.
Once a payment has been made under this part of the policy
the carer cover part of the policy ceases.
Payments are made directly to Argos for the credit of the account
provided you meet the terms and conditions of this policy;
(ii)the maximum benefit is £15,000, regardless of the number
of policies you may have with us;
(iii) To receive the benefit you must:
(a) be in receipt of Carer’s Allowance from the Department
for Work and Pensions or such government office which
replaces it;
(b) be able to demonstrate that you have given up full-time
employment to care for your immediate family; and
(c) have been a carer for 14 consecutive days;
(iv)prior to any benefit being paid under this section
of the policy, you will have to provide a letter from the
doctor of your immediate family member to confirm the
nature and start date of the condition suffered.
This will include details of when the patient first consulted for this condition and when it was first diagnosed;
(v)
we will write to your last employers to confirm that you
did not leave your employment for reasons other than to
become a carer;
9
(vi)only one benefit is payable under the carer cover part of this
policy. Once a benefit has been paid the carer cover part of
the policy will end;
(vii)if you have received a benefit under the carer cover part
of this policy then you will not be entitled to a benefit
under the accident & sickness or unemployment benefit
elements of this policy until a period of at least 12 months has
elapsed from the date that you became a carer.
9. Carer cover exclusions
We will not pay any carer cover benefit if:
(i)at the start date you knew you would become a carer or
you had reason to believe that you might become a carer;
(ii)the sickness, disease, condition or injury of the person
being cared for existed prior to the start date (this exclusion
will not apply if, in the opinion of our Medical Officer, the
sickness, disease, condition or injury would not have normally
deteriorated or was not considered likely to deteriorate to the
extent that full-time care is required during the period of
insurance); or
(iii)
you become unemployed for any other reason other than
the need to become a carer; or
(iv)
your resignation is from employment which is of
a casual or temporary nature; or
(v)
you are currently receiving benefits under the accident,
sickness or unemployment cover part of this policy.
10. Hospitalisation benefit
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 70 years of age.)
(i)If during a period of insurance, you are continuously
hospitalised for at least 7 consecutive days, we will
pay an amount equal to the monthly benefit, up to a
maximum of £1,000 per month, directly to Argos for the
credit of the account.
(ii)If during a period of insurance, you are continuously
hospitalised for 14 consecutive days or more, we will pay
Argos for the credit of the account, a sum equal to the
balance outstanding at the date of your hospitalisation.
The maximum amount payable is £15,000, regardless of the
number of policies you may have with us.
(iii) To receive the benefit you must:
(a) be under regular care and attendance; and
(b) give us any evidence we ask for in order to prove your
claim is valid and continues to be so.
(iv)When paying your claim we will consider the first day
of hospitalisation to be the day you are admitted to a
hospital.
(v) We will continue to pay the benefit until:
(a) we have paid an amount equal to the balance
outstanding;
(b) you fail to provide evidence of your hospitalisation; or
(c) the end date;
whichever happens first.
10
11. Hospitalisation exclusions
(i)
We will not pay any hospitalisation benefit if your
hospitalisation results from or as a consequence of the
following:
(a)a self-inflicted injury;
(b) being under the influence of, or being affected by, alcohol
or drugs unless prescribed by a doctor (other than
prescribed for the treatment of drug addiction or alcohol
dependency); or
(c) any elective surgical procedure or cosmetic surgery
unless directly attributable to physical injury, disease or
sickness.
(ii)No benefit will be payable if we make any benefit payment
for accident or sickness under Section 4 in respect of the
relevant day.
12. Critical illness benefits
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 65 years of age.)
We will, in the event of your critical illness (from which you
survive for a period of 28 days or more from the date of diagnosis)
during a period of insurance and subject to the other provisions
of this policy, pay to Argos for the credit of the agreement a sum
equal to the balance outstanding.
The maximum benefit payable under the critical illness is £15,000,
regardless of the number of policies you may have with us.
13. Critical illness exclusions
No critical illness benefit will be payable if your critical illness
results from or as a consequence of any of the following:
(i) a self-inflicted injury; or
(ii)being under the influence of, or being affected by, alcohol or
drugs unless prescribed by a doctor (other than prescribed for
the treatment of drug addiction or alcohol dependency).
14. Purchase protection benefit
(This benefit is only available if you are less than 70 years of age and you
have chosen to include purchase protection as part of your policy.) You
must continue to pay your monthly premium to maintain purchase
protection benefit. If you fail to pay your monthly premium, this cover will
end (please see end date within the definitions Section 27 of this policy).
This part of the policy applies only if you have chosen to include
Purchase Protection as part of your policy and will be stated on
your demands and needs letter.
(i)
We will cover you against loss, theft or damage for the
insured articles purchased by you, using your store card
within 365 days from the date of purchase during the period
of insurance or the date of delivery, whichever is the later.
(ii)If at the date of loss or damage to any insured article, there
is any other insurance covering the same loss or damage then
you will only be covered to the extent that the direct physical
loss or damage has not been paid by such other insurance.
This cover will not extend to any policy excess.
(iii) The maximum amount payable will be:
(a) the original purchase price of the personal property as
reflected on your account statement and the appropriate
till receipt;
(b) where the account has been used as a partial payment the actual proportion of the purchase price paid for using
the account;
(c) either the cost of repair of the insured article or if the
insured article is replaced with our prior approval,
the sum debited to your account on purchase of the
replacement insured article; or
(d) £1,500 in respect of a single article, £15,000 for each
event and £50,000, in total per annum.
(iv)in the event of total loss or damage, where an insured
article is replaced with our prior approval, evidence that the
insured article has been replaced with the same item will
be required. If the insured article is no longer available for
purchase, evidence that a similar item has been purchased
will be required.
(v)If you suffer any loss to one part or to a set of personal
property and it is incapable of being used individually, and
cannot be replaced separately, then we will pay you the
maximum benefit outlined in this Section (iii) above, in respect
of any direct physical lose and/or damage to that personal
property.
(vi)When a claim is paid for loss or replacement, the insured
article automatically becomes our property.
(vii)It is a condition of the insurance that any damage caused by
malicious persons or vandals, loss or theft must be notified to
the police within 24 hours of discovery of such damage, loss
or theft.
15. Purchase protection exclusions
No benefit will be payable under this policy for any loss and/or
damage arising directly or indirectly from, or in respect of:
(i) faults or defects covered by any manufacturer’s guarantee;
(ii)the insured article being used for business purpose;
(iii)theft from an unattended motor vehicle except where all
reasonable care has been taken to conceal the item (e.g. in
the boot or locked in a glove compartment and where the
vehicle security system has been activated);
(iv)jewellery and watches stolen from baggage unless it is carried
by hand and under the personal supervision of you or a
member of your family;
(v)fraud, abuse, neglect or failure to follow the manufacturer’s
instructions;
(vi)loss or damage to any insured article as a result of
intentional acts by you;
(vii)damage caused by normal wear and tear to the insured
article;
(viii)damage in the normal course of play and consumable
sporting items such as balls and racquet strings;
(ix) the unexplained loss of an insured article;
(x)loss of use of the insured article or any loss over and above
the cost of the insured article;
(xi)loss or damage caused by the failure of any electrical or
computer equipment, software, micro-controller, microchip,
accessories or associated equipment to correctly recognise and
process any calendar date or time;
(xii)theft or damage while the insured article is in the care,
custody or control of anyone other than you or a member of
your family;
(xiii)theft or damage to the insured article prior to the delivery
and acceptance in perfect condition by you or someone
authorised by you; and
(xiv)theft of any item from any property, land, premises or vehicle
unless entry or exit to the property, premises or vehicle was
gained by the use of force, resulting in physical damage to the
property, premises or vehicle.
16. Transfer of benefit claims
You can transfer between an accident and sickness claim and
an unemployment claim (or vice versa) without interruption (i.e.
no additional wait period will be applied), subject to a maximum
of 7 monthly benefits being paid in total. All other terms of this
policy will still apply and both claims must be valid.
17. Claims
(i)
You (or your legal representative in the event of your death)
must send us a claim form with full details of the facts on
which the claim is based, as soon as possible after the date
you last worked, the date your critical illness occurs or the
date of your death in respect of a life claim and in all cases
within 90 days of that date.
(ii)
We will need proof of your claim and the circumstances
leading to your claim. This proof could be (amongst other
things) a doctor’s certificate, a letter from your current or
previous employer, or confirmation from the Department for
Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus or such government office,
which replaces it.
(iii)In the case of your death, we will require an original or
certified copy of your death certificate as well as reasonable
notice before your interment or cremation or the holding of
an inquest or enquiry into your death.
(iv)If you are self-employed we may contact your accountant,
bank or tax office for proof that you have ceased trading.
(v)During the period of a claim, we will need proof that you
are still unable to work due to accident, sickness,
unemployment or hospitalisation. You must pay any
costs of getting the proof we ask for. However, if you are
claiming for accident, sickness or hospitalisation, we may
require medical evidence in addition to your doctor’s initial
report or we may ask you to go for a medical examination
with a doctor appointed by us. We will pay the costs of this
additional medical evidence. We will not pay you any benefit
if you fail to go for a medical examination and you do not
have a reasonable explanation.
In the event that you become a carer, to enable us to assess
your entitlement to benefit, additional information will be
required from your employer and you agree to us requesting
and obtaining such information. If you are self-employed,
you will need to provide such evidence that your business
has ceased trading. You will also be asked to provide at
your expense written confirmation from your immediate
family member’s doctor the details surrounding their
medical condition.
(vi)
We have a regulatory obligation to prevent fraud. Insurers
share information with each other to prevent fraudulent claims
via a register of claims. A list of participants is available on
request. In the event of a claim, any information you have supplied relevant to this insurance and on the claim form,
together with other information relating to the claim, will be
provided to the register of claims.
(vii)Any claim under the purchase protection insurance cover
detailed in Section 14 must be notified to us within 45 days
of the actual physical loss and/or damage. (Any claim for loss
will need to be validated by a copy of the police report, sales
invoice and card receipt. Any claim for damage will need to
be validated by an estimate for repair, sales invoice and
card receipt.)
18. How to make a claim
(i)A claim form can be obtained from us at the address below.
The form contains notes on how to fill in the form and what
to do.
(ii)All the relevant sections must be completed to avoid delay
in receiving any benefits.
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(iii)Send the claim form and any other necessary documents to
us at the following address:
Claims Department, Cardif Pinnacle, Pinnacle House,
A1 Barnet Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Telephone: 0870 720 0742
www.support.cardifpinnacle.com
(accident, sickness and unemployment claims)
19. Claims Support Programme
If you have an unemployment claim, we will provide you with a
Job Finder Guide and access to our Claims Support website
(www.support.cardifpinnacle.com) each subject to availability,
which may help you in your job search. You may also be offered
access to a CV writing service, a CD ROM, employment workshops
and telephone support service.
If you have an accident and sickness claim, we will provide
you with our Claimant Health Guide and access to our Claims
Support website (www.support.cardifpinnacle.com) each subject to
availability, which may assist you with health updates and general
information on your condition.
20. Your right to cancel
(i) Within the “cooling off period” – if you decide you do not
want the cover and wish to cancel your policy, you can do
so within 30 days of the start date or the date you receive
these policy documents, whichever is the later (the “cooling
off period”). You will receive a full refund of any monthly
premium you have paid provided no claim has been made
under the terms of this policy. If you have made a claim, no
refund of monthly premium will be payable.
(ii)
Outside the “cooling off period” – if you cancel outside
the initial 30 day cooling off period, no refund of monthly
premium will be payable.
(iii)If we change your premium rate and/or vary or waive
the terms and conditions and you do not wish to continue
your cover you should contact Argos to cancel your policy
without notice and without penalty.
(iv) All cancellation requests should be made to:
Argos Card Services Limited,
Thynne Street, Bolton,
BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
21. Our right to cancel
(i) We may cancel your insurance cover immediately:
(a) where there is evidence of your dishonest or exaggerated
behaviour (or dishonest or exaggerated behaviour by
someone acting on your behalf) in relation to the cover
provided under this policy;
(b) where you have failed to make disclosure of a material
fact which, if disclosed at the time of application, would
have caused us to decline you for cover;
(c) where you have misrepresented a material fact which, if
correctly represented at the time of application, would have
caused us to decline you for cover;
(d) where, as part of your application, we asked you to
provide us with evidence of your previous insurance
cover on request, and you do not provide it to us within a
reasonable time after we requested you to do so;
(e) where necessary to comply with any applicable laws or
regulations;
12
( f) you fail to pay your monthly premium when due; or
(g) when you reach age 70.
(ii)
We may cancel your insurance cover by giving not less than
90 days’ notice:
(a) in the unlikely event that for any of the reasons listed in
Section 22 we expect to experience unsustainable losses
for the particular country or market sector that applies to
your policy; or
(b) if we decide for reasons of strategy or cost that it is no
longer viable for us to continue to provide cover within
the particular country or market sector that applies to your
policy.
(iii)Except in cases of dishonest or exaggerated behaviour,
misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact
(including not providing us with the evidence we may
request as set out in Section 21 (i) (d)) any decision to cancel
cover will not be made at an individual level and will not be
based on whether you have made a claim.
(iv)Except in cases of dishonest or exaggerated behaviour,
misrepresentation or failure to disclose a material fact
(including not providing us with the evidence we may
request as set out in Section 21 (i) (d)) cancellation of your
policy will not affect your entitlement to claim for any event
occurring before the date of cancellation.
(v) In the event that the relationship between Argos and us
terminates, your insurance cover may terminate on the
monthly renewal date of your policy, which will be notified
to you by Argos on not less than 60 days’ notice.
22. Premiums
(i)Each monthly premium covers you for one month. Your
monthly premium will be calculated using the premium rate.
(ii)This policy has a reviewable premium rate, which means
that the premium rate applicable to your policy may
change subject to us giving you 60 days’ notice. We will only
consider changes to the premium rate, arising from one or
more of the following:
(a) changes due to new information arising from our own
experience suggesting that future claims experience is
likely to be better or worse than previously assumed. This
information includes changes to the number of claims we
expect to pay, changes to the average expected duration of
our claims payments or changes to the average expected
amount paid per claim;
(b) changes due to new information arising from external
sources such as general industry, population or reinsurer
experience suggesting that our future claims experience is
likely to be better or worse than previously assumed. This
includes industry or general population unemployment
experience;
(c) relevant changes to our previous assumptions in relation to:
(i) expenses related to providing the insurance;
(ii) policy lapse rates which means the average time
policies are held;
(iii) interest rates;
(iv) tax rates; or
(v) the cost of any legal or regulatory requirements.
(iii) Any changes to your premium rate we make will not:
(a) be made as a result of any reason other than changes
in the assumptions mentioned above;
(b) be based on whether you have made a claim; or
(c) be made to recover any previous losses.
(iv)
We will review your premium rate at least annually and
you will be given at least 60 days’ written notice, at your last
known address, of any alteration to the premium rate under
this policy unless the change is due to legislative, tax or
regulatory requirements. If your premium is changed due to
legislative, tax or regulatory requirements, then HIS may not
be able to give you 60 days’ notice.
(v)
We may review your premium rate more frequently than
annually if it becomes necessary due to significant changes in
any of the assumptions referred to above. Except where your
premium rate is changed due to legislative, tax or regulatory
requirements, the minimum period between consecutive
premium rate changes will be 180 days.
(vi)As a result of the premium rate review, the corresponding
monthly premium may go up, stay the same or go down,
and there is no limit to the amount of any change.
(vii)If we change your premium rate and you do not wish
to continue your cover you should contact Argos to cancel
your policy.
(viii)If, during a claim, you cancel your policy or fail to pay the
monthly premium when due, we will continue to pay the
monthly benefit provided that the claim was made prior
to the date on which you cancelled or first failed to pay the
monthly premium when due. You will not, however, be
covered for any new claim made on or after that date.
(ix)The policy premium will be automatically added to your
Argos store card. This will be treated as a purchase
transaction. This means that where interest is due on the
transaction it will be charged at the standard rate of interest
charged under your credit agreement.
(x)When collecting and refunding premiums, HIS does so on
our behalf.
23. Terms and Conditions
(i)
We may vary or waive the terms and conditions of this policy
to reflect changes in the assumptions set out in Section 22 (ii)
above which is used to design and price your cover. Such
changes may have the effect of increasing or reducing the
cover previously provided under this policy.
(ii)When changing your terms and conditions we will only
consider any future impact of changes in one or more
assumptions due to the reasons set out in Section 22 (ii) above.
(iii)In addition, we may also vary or waive your terms and
conditions to:
(a) improve your cover;
(b) comply with any applicable laws or regulations;
(c) reflect any changes to taxation;
(d) correct any typographical or formatting errors that may occur.
(iv)
You will be given at least 60 days’ written notice to your last
known address of any alteration to the terms and conditions
of cover under this policy unless the change is due to
legislative, tax or regulatory requirements. If your cover is
changed due to legislative, tax or regulatory changes, then
HIS may not be able to give you 60 days’ notice.
(v)Except where the terms and conditions of cover under this
policy are changed due to legislative, tax or regulatory
changes, the minimum period between consecutive changes
will be 180 days.
(vi)Any changes to your terms and conditions we make will not:
(a) be made as a result of any reason other than changes in
the assumptions mentioned in Section 22 (ii) or for the
reasons set out in Section 23 (iii) above;
(b) be based on whether you have made a claim; or
(c) be made to recover any previous losses.
(vii)If we vary or waive your terms and conditions and you do
not wish to continue your cover you should contact Argos
to cancel your policy.
24. Invalid monthly benefit payments
If we make any payments as a result of your dishonest or
exaggerated behaviour (or the dishonest or exaggerated behaviour
of someone acting on your behalf) you will no longer be entitled
to any benefits under this policy and we may demand that any
payments made by us are paid back. We may take legal action
against you for the return of such monies and we may demand
that you reimburse us for any investigation costs incurred.
25. General conditions
(i)The monthly benefit cannot be paid to anyone else or in
any way other than as described in this policy.
(ii)When your cover under this policy ends it will not have
a surrender or cash value.
(iii)The rights given under this policy cannot be transferred
to anyone else.
(iv)A person who is not a party to the contract of insurance set
out in this policy shall have no rights under the Contracts
(Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Act”) to enforce any
term of this policy provided that this shall not affect any right
or remedy of any person which exists or is available otherwise
than pursuant to the Act.
(v)
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation
Scheme (FSCS). If we are unable to meet our liabilities to you,
you may be entitled to compensation from the FSCS. Further
information is available from their website: www.fscs.org.uk
(vi)This policy is governed by English law. The parties to this
policy agree to irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the
courts of England and Wales unless you live in Scotland,
Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man,
in which case you will be entitled to commence legal
proceedings in your local courts.
(vii)
We will use the English language in all documents and
communications relating to this policy.
(viii)To improve the quality of our service, we will be monitoring
and recording some telephone calls.
26. Enquiries and complaints
Step 1
(a)Administration Complaints - Argos handles complaints
regarding general administration on our behalf.
If you are unhappy with the general administration of the
policy or have cause for complaint you should contact Argos
by telephone or in writing by letter or email to:
Customer Care Team
Argos Card Services Limited,
Thynne Street, Bolton BL11 1AS
Tel: 0845 640 0700
The Argos Customer Services Team will tell you what Argos
will do to resolve your concerns and how long it will take.
13
If Argos is unable to resolve your complaint to your
satisfaction you may refer it to the Financial Ombudsman
Service (FOS) to consider using the address below.
(b)Claims Complaints - If you have a complaint about a claim
you have made please contact:
Customer Relations Manager,
Cardif Pinnacle*
Pinnacle House, A1 Barnet Way
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 2XX
Telephone: 0844 801 2174
Step 2
Should you remain dissatisfied with the outcome of any internal
enquiries you have the right to refer your complaint to:
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall,
London E14 9SR
This procedure will not prejudice your right to take legal
proceedings. However, please note that there are some instances
when the FOS cannot consider complaints.
A leaflet detailing our full complaints/appeals process is available
from us on request.
* Cardif Pinnacle is a trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc.
Pinnacle Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority.
27. Definitions
The following words and phrases will have the following meanings
where they appear in bold type.
“accident” means a bodily injury which prevents you from doing
your normal occupation (or any job which you are reasonably
able to do, given your experience, education or training) and for
which you are receiving treatment from a doctor. If you are
self-employed, you must not be receiving any form of payment
or be helping, managing or carrying on any part of the running of
the business whilst you are claiming;
“account” means the account maintained by Argos under the
agreement;
“agreement” means a credit agreement including all payment
plans such as Buy Now Pay Later between you and Argos in
relation to which we have agreed to provide insurance cover under
this policy;
“Argos” means Argos Card Services Limited which is an appointed
representative of Home Retail Group Insurance Services Ltd (HIS);
“balance outstanding” means the amount outstanding on the
account at the statement date or your authorised credit limit
(whichever is lower) immediately preceding the date your accident
occurs, the commencement of your sickness, unemployment,
hospitalisation, critical illness, death or the date you become a
carer, subject to a maximum of £15,000;
“cancer” means any malignant tumour positively diagnosed with
histological confirmation and characterised by the uncontrolled
growth of malignant cells and invasion of tissue. The term
malignant tumour includes leukaemia, lymphoma and sarcoma.
The following are not covered:
(i)all cancers which are histologically classified as any of the
following:
• pre-malignant;
• non-invasive;
• cancer in situ;
• having either borderline malignancy; or
• having low malignant potential.
14
(ii)all tumours of the prostate unless histologically classified as
having a Gleason score greater than 6 or having progressed
to at least clinical TNM classification T2N0M0.
(iii)chronic lymphocytic leukaemia unless histologically classified
as having progressed to at least Binet Stage A.
(iv)any skin cancer other than malignant melanoma that has been
histologically classified as having caused invasion beyond the
epidermis (outer layer of skin).
“carer” means you becoming unemployed solely due to the
need to care for a member of your immediate family;
“ceased trading” means where you have involuntarily ceased
trading as a result of your business having insufficient assets to
meet its debts and liabilities and:
(i)final closing accounts for your business have been prepared
and submitted to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); or
(ii)
your business has been placed in the hands of an insolvency
practitioner; or
(iii)
your business is a partnership which has been or is being
dissolved and final closing accounts have been prepared or
are being prepared and submitted to HMRC;
“condition” means any sickness, disease or injury (or symptoms
of any of these) whether or not it results in a diagnosis;
“consultant” means a medical specialist registered under the
Medical Act 1983 (as amended) who is a member of a Royal
College (for example, the Royal College of Surgeons) and is
recognised by that Royal College to be a consultant. It does not
include you, your spouse, civil partner, a relative or someone
who lives with you;
“coronary artery bypass surgery” means the undergoing of
surgery to divide the breastbone (median sternotomy) on the advice
of a consultant cardiologist to correct narrowing or blockage of one
or more coronary arteries with by-pass grafts. The following are not
covered: Non-surgical procedures such as balloon angioplasty or
laser treatments;
“critical illness” means one or more of the conditions listed
namely heart attack, cancer, stroke, major organ transplant,
coronary artery bypass surgery and kidney failure;
“doctor” means a fully qualified medical practitioner registered
with the General Medical Council and working in the United
Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. The doctor who
confirms your accident or sickness when you are making a
claim, cannot be you, your spouse, civil partner, a relative, close
friend or someone who lives with you;
“elective surgical procedure” means a procedure undertaken
solely at your request which is not medically necessary to sustain
or maintain your quality of life;
“end date” means the date when your insurance ends which will
be the earliest of the following:
(i) the date your agreement ends;
(ii)in respect of accident, sickness, unemployment, critical
illness and carer cover benefits – the earlier of the date you
reach 65 years of age or permanently retire;
(iii)the date you reach 70 years of age in respect of
hospitalisation and purchase protection benefits;
(iv) the date you die;
(v) the date you fail to pay the monthly premium when due;
(vi)If you or we cancel your insurance as set out under the
terms of this policy insurance cover will (subject to our
rights in Section 21 (i)) continue until the end of the relevant
month for which the monthly premium has been paid and
accepted by us; or
(vii)the date of diagnosis of a critical illness where as a result a
benefit has been paid.
“full-time employment” means working for at least 16 hours a
week under a contract of employment that does not have a fixed
or implied end date. You must be receiving a salary or wages and
paying Class 1 National Insurance contributions;
“heart attack” means the death of a portion of the heart muscle,
due to inadequate blood supply, that has resulted in all of the
following evidence of acute myocardial infarction:
(i)typical clinical symptoms (for example, characteristic chest pain);
(ii) new characteristic electrocardiographic changes; and
(iii)the characteristic rise of cardiac enzymes or Troponins
recorded at the following levels or higher;
• Troponin T > 1.0 ng/ml;
• AccuTnI > 0.5 ng/ml or equivalent threshold with other
Troponin I methods.
The evidence must show a definite acute myocardial infarction.
The following are not covered: Other acute coronary syndromes
including but not limited to angina;
“HIS” means Home Retail Group Insurance Services Ltd (HIS),
Avebury, 489-499 Avebury Boulevard, Saxon Gate West, Milton
Keynes MK9 2NW who is our administration provider for queries,
amendments and cancellations;
“hospital” means a lawfully operated establishment which
has accommodation for residential patients with organised
facilities for diagnosis and surgery which provides 24 hours a day
nursing services by registered nurses and will not be, other than
incidentally, an institution for the care of mental or nervous illness
or convalescence;
“hospitalised/hospitalisation” means being admitted to hospital;
“immediate family” means your spouse, civil partner, partner of
the same or opposite sex whom you currently live with and have
lived with for a continuous period of at least 1 year, parent or child
or step child who you currently live with and have lived with for at
least 1 year, or from birth if they are aged below one;
“insured article” means any article purchased by you during the
period of insurance using your credit agreement. Gift vouchers
or telephone vouchers or other Argos vouchers are excluded.
“kidney failure” means end stage renal failure presenting as
chronic and irreversible failure of both kidneys to function, as a
result of which either regular renal dialysis or renal transplant is
initiated;
“major organ transplant” means the undergoing as a recipient
of a transplant of bone marrow or of a complete heart, kidney,
liver, lung, or pancreas, or inclusion on an official United Kingdom
waiting list for such a procedure. The following is not covered:
Transplant of any other organs, parts of organs, tissues or cells;
“monthly benefit” means 15% of the balance outstanding,
subject to maximum of £1,000;
“monthly premium” means the monthly sum payable by you
each month for insurance cover under this policy;
“normal pregnancy” means symptoms which normally
accompany pregnancy which are of a minor and/or temporary
nature (such as morning sickness and dizzy spells) and which do
not represent a significant medical hazard to mother or baby;
“partner” means a spouse, civil partner, partner of the same or
opposite sex whom you currently live;
“permanently retire” means you have no intention of returning
to full-time employment or self-employment or of obtaining
any further work;
“period of insurance” means the period after the start date
and before the end date for which you have paid the monthly
premium;
“policy” means the terms and conditions set out in this document;
“premium rate” means a cost per £100 of the outstanding
balance at the statement date on your Argos store card
agreement in the applicable month.
“regular care and attendance” means that you are under the
regular care and attendance of your doctor for your accident
or sickness;
“self-employed/self-employment” means you are working for
at least 16 hours a week and paying Class II National Insurance
contributions and are:
(i)helping with, managing or carrying on a business in the
United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man and
liable to pay tax under Schedule D Case I, II, IV and V of the
Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988;
(ii) a partner or in a partnership; or
(iii)a person who exercises direct or indirect control over
a company;
“sickness” means an illness or sickness which prevents you
from doing your normal occupation (or any job which you are
reasonably able to do, given your experience, education or
training) and for which you are receiving treatment from a doctor.
If you are self-employed, you must not be receiving any form
of payment or be helping, managing or carrying on any part of the
running of the business whilst you are claiming;
“start date” means the date you are accepted for this insurance cover;
“statement date” means the day each month that Argos
calculates a balance on the account for the purpose of calculating
interest and the monthly payment due under the agreement;
“stroke” means the death of brain tissue due to inadequate blood
supply or haemorrhage within the skull resulting in permanent
neurological deficit with persisting clinical symptoms. The following
are not covered:
(i) transient ischaemic attack; and
(ii) traumatic injury to brain tissue or blood vessels;
“unemployed/unemployment” means:
(i)being entirely without gainful employment (which includes the
assisting, managing and/or the carrying on of any part of the
day to day running of a business); and
(ii)being available for, and actively seeking work and registered
with the:
(a) Department for Work and Pensions; or
(b) Department for Social Development in Northern Ireland; or
(c) States Insurance Authorities in the Channel Islands or a
European Union member state; or
(d) Department of Social Care in the Isle of Man; and
(iii)
you must have signed a Jobseeker’s agreement within
the United Kingdom, or equivalent agreement in Northern
Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a European
Union member state. Failure to comply with any condition
of this policy may result in the suspension or the stopping of
monthly benefit;
“we, our, us” means Pinnacle Insurance plc who is the underwriter
and claims administration provider of this policy. Cardif Pinnacle is a
trading style of Pinnacle Insurance plc;
“you, your” means the principal cardholder in the agreement
who has been accepted for insurance cover under this policy.
The singular will include the plural and vice versa. Within this
policy, headings are only included to help you and do not form
part of the insurance contract.
15
About our Insurance Services
Home Retail Group Card Services Ltd,
Royal Avenue, Widnes WA88 1AL
Whose products do we offer?
For Argos Coversafe insurance we are contracted to offer only the
products of Pinnacle Insurance plc.
Which service will we provide you?
We will always aim to ensure that you have sufficient information
to make an informed decision. For internet applications you will not
receive advice on whether this product is suitable for your needs.
If you apply over the telephone we will assess your demands and
needs and make a recommendation based on them.
What will you have to pay us for our services?
There will be no fee for our services.
Who regulates us?
Home Retail Group Card Services Ltd is an appointed representative
of Home Retail Group Insurance Services Ltd (HIS), Avebury,
489-499 Avebury Boulevard, Saxon Gate West, Milton Keynes
MK9 2NW, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial
Services Authority (FSA). FSA Register number for Home Retail
Group Insurance Services is 314050.
Home Retail Group Card Services and HIS are part of the same group
of companies Home Retail Group Insurance Services permitted
business is arranging and administering general insurance contracts.
You can check this on the FSA’s Register by visiting www.fsa.gov.uk/
register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234.
AC0206/CSB-E/14577/0512
What to do if you have a complaint?
We do hope that you will be happy with the service that we
provide in relation to this insurance. However, if for any reason
you are unhappy we would like to hear from you, please contact
our Customer Service Department on 0845 640 0700 or at the
address at the top of the page. If you cannot settle your complaint
with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Services
Ombudsman Service.
Are we covered by the Financial Services Compensation
Scheme (FSCS)?
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme
(FSCS). You may be entitled to compensation from the FSCS if we
cannot meet our obligations to you. The amount of compensation
depends on the type of insurance business. Most types of insurance
business are covered for 90% of the claim, without any upper limit.
Further information about compensation arrangements is available
from the FSCS, telephone number 020 7741 4100.
Premiums and Payments
HIS holds all premiums, refunds and benefits payable under and in
connection with purchase and payment protection insurance as an
agent on behalf of Pinnacle Insurance plc.
Change of Insurer
In the event that our relationship with Pinnacle Insurance plc
terminates, we may change the insurance company underwriting
your cover. We shall provide you with 60 days’ notice of any such
change and inform you of any material effect on your policy cover.
You consent to any replacement insurer sending you an offer of
insurance directly for such new cover. You can opt out of/reject
this offer by contacting us, otherwise you consent to your cover
automatically transferring to the replacement insurer.
Additional benefits of Coversafe
You may choose to take one additional Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)
plan in each calendar year that you continue to hold Argos
Coversafe. To take up this benefit you must phone 0845 640 0700
within 60 days of making any purchase in Argos to request that the
purchase is moved to a 12 month BNPL plan, quoting Coversafe
BNPL deal. To take up this benefit your Argos account must be up
to date at the time of making this request. You may only take one
additional BNPL deal in any one calendar year. You may continue
to take one 12 month BNPL per calendar year until the end date of
this policy.