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Last updated: June 1, 2011

Privacy Policy & Security Statement

This Privacy Policy covers the privacy and information sharing practices of InsWeb Corporation, InsWeb.com, AgentInsider.com, FreeInsuranceAdvice.com, InsuranceRates.com, BestInsuranceMatch.com and LowestPolicy.com (collectively “InsWeb”). For questions about this Privacy Policy, you may write to us at InsWeb Corporation, 11290 Pyrites Way, Suite 200, Gold River, CA 95670.

Insurance Agents. For privacy information concerning insurance agents participating in InsWeb’s AgentInsider® program, click here.

Please note that other websites you may access through InsWeb may collect personally identifiable information about you. Our Privacy Policy does not cover third party websites, and we encourage you to read the privacy policies of these third party websites prior to providing them with your personal information.

To assist you with reading through our Privacy Policy, we have provided answers to questions you may find most important,

Questions and Answers About InsWeb's Privacy Policy

What types of information does InsWeb collect?

InsWeb collects both personal information (such as name, telephone number, and e-mail address, etc.) and non-personal information (such as the number of visitors that log on to our Website, the pages they access, etc.). Included in personal information is sensitive information (such as personal health information).

How does InsWeb use my personal information?

InsWeb uses your personal information in the following ways:

  • Consumers. Personal information submitted through one of our quote forms will be used to (a) provide you with insurance quotes from our participating insurance provider(s); (b) send you surveys, InsWeb-branded marketing or promotional materials including e-mails or other information; (c) respond to your comments or requests for information; and (d) contact you about your quotes or other insurance needs. Additionally, InsWeb may send you information on products and services offered by our select business partners.

  • Prospective Employees. Personal information submitted through Jobs@InsWeb.com will be used only for recruitment and future internal consideration. It will be accessible solely by persons responsible for recruitment for InsWeb.

  • Prospective Business Partners. Personal information submitted through InsWeb’s online lead referral application will be used only by InsWeb to qualify prospective business affiliates for InsWeb’s lead referral program.

How does InsWeb use my non-personal information?

InsWeb uses site usage activities, aggregate statistical information and Web log information (such as your Web browser, operating system, pages visited, etc.) to statistically analyze site usage, improve our content and product offerings; and customize our sites’ content, layout and services.

With whom will my personal information be shared?

InsWeb may share your personal information with the following types of companies outside of InsWeb:

  • Participating Insurance Providers. InsWeb will share your personal information with our participating insurance providers only with your consent and at your direction.
  • Third-Party Fulfillment Providers. InsWeb may share your personal information with companies that perform fulfillment services on our behalf (such as data processing, research, surveys or e-mail services). These companies do not use your information for any purposes other than this.

How can I opt-out from having my information shared with third-party companies?

You may tell us not to share information about you with companies outside of InsWeb by calling our toll-free number at (866) 697-9085. Please note that your choice will not affect sharing with 1) insurance providers from whom you have requested to be contacted; 2) companies performing services on our behalf; 3) government entities in response to subpoenas or regulatory requirements; and 4) as otherwise required by law.

How do InsWeb's participating Insurance Providers use my information?

We do not control the privacy practices of the participating Insurance Providers. However, all the Insurance Providers use the information you submit for one general purpose: to provide you with an accurate insurance quote. Insurance Providers use your personally identifiable information in combination with other information you submit about your insurance needs. However, rating criteria may be different for each participating Insurance Provider and each Insurance Provider may place different emphasis on particular aspects of your information.

How can I change my information?

At any point while shopping for quotes, you can use the tabs found across the top of the page to return to previous pages. To change the information displayed, type the new data in the form and click the Continue or Submit button found on the page. You should note that you will not be able to change your information once you submit it to our participating insurance providers.

After I request quotes at InsWeb, who will contact me?

When you submit your information at the end of one of InsWeb’s quote forms, you will be contacted by InsWeb’s participating insurance providers with information regarding your quotes, coverage, or insurance needs.

What about information for promotions?

InsWeb may offer contests, sweepstakes, and promotions. If you want to enter, you may be asked to supply certain personal information or consent to participate in these promotional events. Even if you have previously opted not to receive information or mailings about InsWeb, you may still receive information about InsWeb via these promotions if you choose to register for them. Rules and guidelines for each promotion will be clearly posted, as will notification about how the information gathered may be used.

Does InsWeb store my information?

Yes. All information submitted through our quote request forms is stored on our secured computer servers. We will retain your information for as long as needed to provide you services. If you wish to request that we no longer use your information to provide you services contact us at privacy@insweb.com. We will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. For further information, see InsWeb's Security Statement.

Does InsWeb send e-mails, and can I opt out?

    Communications. When you provide your contact information to InsWeb, you will periodically receive communications from us. Our communications are usually delivered via e-mail. Our customers generally find the information helpful. However, you can choose not to receive this information by:

  • Following the instructions in the e-mail message you receive,
  • Sending an e-mail to customercare@insweb.com or
  • Calling 1-866-697-9085.

    Advertising. If you would like to unsubscribe from receiving e-mail advertisements from InsWeb, you can either follow the instructions in the advertisement itself, or simply click here. Please note that it will take up to 10 days to process your request.

    Email-An-Agent Feature. InsWeb’s AgentDirectory allows you to find local agents in your area. If you utilize this feature, you have the option of sending an email directly to the listed agent using InsWeb’s email feature. If you send an email to the agent(s) using InsWeb’s email feature, your email address will be collected, stored and used for email marketing purposes consistent with this Privacy Policy.

    Email Page Feature. Portions of our website allow you to email selected InsWeb pages, These pages will be identified with an “Email Page” icon in the upper right-hand corner. If you utilize this feature, the email addresses you enter (including your own) will not be collected or stored by InsWeb or any third party.

What do sites that have links from InsWeb do with my information?

Please be aware that Websites that have links on our site may collect personal information about you. When you click on one of these links, you are being transferred to another Website. In some instances, the website you are transferred to will be co-branded with the InsWeb mark. No personal information is shared with InsWeb and InsWeb does not share personal information with the co-branded site. We encourage you to carefully read the privacy policies of these linked sites (including any co-branded versions) as their privacy policies may differ from ours. This privacy statement does not cover the information practices of websites linked to the InsWeb site.

How does InsWeb obtain testimonials?

Testimonials also exist on our web site. Before we publicly place testimonials on the site, we receive expressed written consent from the individual to place not only his/her words, but also his/her name and hometown on the web site.

What is a blog?

A weblog ("blog") is a series of text, images, media objects and data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in a web browser. InsWeb maintains a blog at http://blog.insweb.com, and you may submit content for review and possible posting on our blog. Because InsWeb uses third-party blogging software, InsWeb will not have access to your email address or other personally identifiable address. However, if you submit your real name to InsWeb for attribution to a particular blog message you authored, InsWeb may display your name in our blog. You should be aware that any information you provide in these areas may be read, collected, and used by others who access them. To request removal of your personal information from our blog or community forum, contact us at privacy@insweb.com. In some cases, we may not be able to remove your personal information, in which case we will let you know if we are unable to do so and why.

What is framing?

Framing is a term used to describe the way a web page is presented. When InsWeb presents you with a "framed" web page, you will see InsWeb's branding elements alongside the branding elements of the non-affiliated third party with which InsWeb has contracted to provide a particular insurance product, set of services and/or particular set of web pages. Although InsWeb does incorporate framing in order to provide you with more products and services, you will always be notified before leaving the InsWeb site. And while you may still see InsWeb's URL in the address line, the framed site and not InsWeb will collect all personally identifiable information you enter. We encourage you to read the privacy statement on a framed page carefully as this privacy statement may differ in substance from InsWeb's privacy statement.

How does InsWeb protect my information as it passes over the Internet?

With SSL, when you enter a request for quotes or provide personal information on one of our website properties, your information is encrypted as it travels between your computer and our computer servers. To support this technology, you need an SSL-capable browser. We recommend using a strong encryption, 128-bit browser. Netscape Navigator 4.06 or higher and Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher are 128-bit browsers. You can tell when you are visiting a secure area in our site by looking at the symbol on the bottom of your browser screen. If you are using Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, you will see either a lock or a key. When the symbol appears unbroken or the padlock is in the locked position, your session connection is taking place via a secure server.

All personal information submitted to InsWeb and AgentInsider (including personal health and credit card information) is encrypted. However, you should note that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Does InsWeb use "cookies"?

Cookies are small text files saved on your computer's hard drive and stored in memory while your browser is running. InsWeb uses cookies to help make it easier for returning users to log in and complete one of our quote forms. While our use of cookies should make your online experience easier, it is our policy not to use cookies to track, collect, or store your personally identifiable information. If you feel uncomfortable accepting cookies, you can change your browser settings to prevent cookies from being saved to your hard drive.

InsWeb contracts with certain marketing partners to display third-party banner advertisements on the InsWeb Website. These partners utilize ad-serving technology. To gauge the effectiveness of the advertisements, these companies may place a cookie on your computer when you view Web pages where these ads appear, or when you click on the ads. These third-party cookies enable the companies to recognize certain types of non-personally identifiable information, such as a visitor's IP address, browser version type, operating system, Internet service provider, and time zone. The collection of this aggregated user information helps our partners improve the effectiveness of the advertising by delivering ads that they believe will be of most interest to you, and minimize the repetition of ads you see. Although the information collected using these cookies does not directly recognize your personally identifiable information, third parties may be able to associate the cookie information with your personally identifiable information if you registered for a product or service on their site. We encourage you to carefully read the privacy policies of these third party sites as their privacy policies may differ from ours.

Does InsWeb use Web beacons?

Some pages on our Site, as well as pages where our banner ads appear, and certain emails we send, may contain electronic images known as Web beacons, or single-pixel GIFs. These Web beacons collect certain types of non-personally identifiable information, such as a visitor's cookie number, time and date of a page view, and a description of the page where the Web beacon is placed. Our partners use Web beacons to compile aggregated statistics that help us improve the effectiveness of our advertising and make our Site easier to use. The information collected using these Web beacons does not identify individual users of our Site.

Does InsWeb log my movements?

InsWeb logs both consumer movements through our site and consumer search requests. This data is used to analyze trends, gather demographic information for aggregate use, and help administer the site. We do not use these technologies to capture or share your individual email address or any personally identifying information about you.

Each time you visit our site, we may detect the type of operating system, Internet browser, and email client you use (program for accessing emails). This allows us to notify you of potential problems with our applications and certain operating system Internet browser combinations. Determining the email client in use lets us send communications that are compatible with your system.

Does InsWeb collect information from children under the age of 13?

InsWeb does not knowingly solicit data from children, and we do not knowingly market to children.

Questions and Answers about the Privacy Policy of InsWeb's AgentInsider® Program

While this Privacy Policy shall apply to information submitted by insurance agents through InsWeb’s AgentInsider® program (located at www.agentinsider.com), the following shall also apply:

I’m an Insurance Agent. How does InsWeb use my personal information submitted through the AgentInsider® Program?

Information submitted by insurance agents through InsWeb’s AgentInsider® Program will be used by InsWeb to qualify and register insurance agents for participation in the AgentInsider® Program.

With whom will my personal information be shared?

If you’re a captive insurance agent participating in the AgentInsider® program, InsWeb may share your personal information with your parent company. If you’re an independent agent participating in the AgentInsider® program, InsWeb may share your personal information with our participating insurance providers. For all agents participating in the AgentInsider® program, InsWeb will verify your insurance license through the NIPR Producer Database and/or through applicable state insurance department databases.

Electronic Signatures

InsWeb may provide notices or statements electronically ("Electronic Record"). Consumer may request a paper copy of the Electronic Record by writing to InsWeb at the following address: InsWeb Corporation Attention: Legal Department, 11290 Pyrites Way, Suite 200, Gold River, CA 95670. All electronic communications that meet the requirements set forth herein will be deemed to be valid and authentic, and consumer agrees that such electronic communications will be given the same legal affect as written and signed paper communications. Furthermore, consumer acknowledges and agrees that consumer will not contest the validity of the original or copies, absent proof of altered data, or tampering.

Changes to Our Privacy Statement

InsWeb may make significant changes to its privacy statement affecting the use of the personal information collected. InsWeb shall inform you of any such changes by posting a notice on its websites prior to the changes taking effect. You should periodically check this posted privacy statement for any changes. You will be able to opt out of this information usage by sending a message to the following email: privacy@insweb.com.

If InsWeb Corporation is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of its assets, you will be notified via email and/or a prominent notice on our Web site of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information, as well as any choices you may have regarding your personal information.

InsWeb Security

InsWeb's online data entry forms use the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. With SSL, your personal information is encrypted as it travels between your computer and our servers. Encryption makes it exceedingly difficult for others to view your information.

As part of our security measures, InsWeb uses state-of-the-art Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology, developed by RSA Data Security, Inc.

For more information about encryption, we encourage you to check out the Frequently Asked Questions offered by RSA Laboratories. RSA Laboratories is the research and consulting division of RSA Data Security, Inc. Through its research program, publications, seminars and standards development, RSA Laboratories provides state-of-the-art cryptographic expertise for the benefit of RSA Data Security and its licensees.

InsWeb Certifications

Verisign

InsWeb maintains a security certificate from Verisign. You can view the InsWeb security certificate from your browser, anytime you are in a secure transaction. Refer to your browser software Help feature for more information on how to do this.

Online Privacy Alliance

The Online Privacy Alliance is a diverse group of corporations and associations who have come together to introduce and promote business-wide actions that create an environment of trust and foster the protection of individuals' privacy online.

As members of the Online Privacy Alliance:

  • We endorse its mission.
  • We commit ourselves to implement online privacy policies consistent with the Alliance's guidelines.
  • We commit ourselves to participate in effective and appropriate self-regulatory enforcement activities and mechanisms.
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