What is the DPA (Data Protection Act 1998)?

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Could you end up paying more for insurance than someone else the same age?: Yes you might, because your age is only one of many aspects the insurance company takes into account when determining your premium.
If your insurer asks for a higher premium because you are Rated, is it worth applying to another insurance company?: We do not think so. Why? Read on.
Is a medical absolutely necessary?: No. Most people do not require a medical. Normally an insurer will only ask for a medical if you have existing health issues that cannot be resolved by a report from your GP or if you have applied for an especially high sum of insurance.
What causes delays and can delays be reduced?: The most common cause of delay is enquiries about your health.
Can A Claim Be Made If The Policy Is Lost?: Yes. Simply contact the Insurance Company and they’ll send a “Lost Policy Claim Form”.

The DPA came into force on 1 March 2000, and was created to protect the privacy of the customer. It is the principal legislation in the UK governing the way in which personal information is handled, and all credit card companies work within its boundaries.

When you make your application you will be asked to provide information which may be personal so that the credit card company can process your application, maintain your account and provide you with relevant marketing information. The credit card company will agree not to use any personal information which you provide unless you say that they can do so. You can opt out from receiving marketing communications.

The DPA works in two ways. As credit card customer it gives you the right to see a copy of your personal information held by your credit card issuer on payment of a fee. You can challenge it if appropriate and claim compensation in certain circumstances as set out in the Data Protection Act.

Secondly, the DPA imposes certain obligations on those who record and use personal information i.e. your credit card company. They must be open about how the information is used and must comply with the eight data protection principles.

These data protection principles say that personal information must be:

fairly and lawfully processed
processed for limited purposes
adequate, relevant and not excessive
accurate
not kept for longer than is necessary
processed in line with your rights
secure
not transferred to countries without adequate protection

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