Privacy Policy and Insurance Information Practices Notice

1. Scope of this notice

This Privacy Policy and Insurance Information Practices Notice applies to GuardPoint Advisors, LLC (“GuardPoint,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), our website, quote and service requests, and information we handle in connection with insurance transactions.

This notice is intended to describe GuardPoint's information practices for insurance transactions involving Minnesota and Wisconsin consumers. It addresses the Minnesota Insurance Fair Information Reporting Act, Minnesota Statutes sections 72A.49 through 72A.505, and the privacy-notice framework in Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter Ins 25. It supplements any application-specific, carrier, consumer-report, or other privacy notice you may receive. A carrier's privacy practices may differ from ours, and GuardPoint may rely on an insurer's notice where applicable law permits.

2. Information we may collect

The information collected depends on the coverage or service you request and may include:

• Identity and contact information: name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, date of birth, and other identifiers needed for an insurance transaction.
• Quote and application information: household, drivers, vehicles, property, business operations, employees, insurance needs, requested limits, and current or prior coverage.
• Policy, transaction, and service information:policies, premiums, payment or billing status, requested changes, coverage documents, and communications with GuardPoint.
• Underwriting and eligibility information: driving records, claims or loss history, prior-insurance information, property characteristics, inspection information, credit-based insurance information or insurance scores, and other information allowed by law and requested by an insurer.
• Claims information: facts about a loss, parties involved, photographs, reports, and communications needed to help report or navigate a claim.
• Communications and consent records: emails, calls, text messages, contact preferences, opt-in and opt-out status, the consent language shown to you, the source of consent, and the date and time of consent.
• Website and device information: internet protocol address, browser and device type, pages requested, referring page, and security or diagnostic logs generated by hosting providers.

Please do not send Social Security numbers, driver's-license images, payment-card details, passwords, health information, or other highly sensitive information through a general website form, ordinary email, or text message. GuardPoint will provide a more appropriate method when that information is necessary.

3. Sources and investigative techniques

We may collect information directly from you and, when permitted by law and authorized when required, from sources such as:

• other household members, applicants, insureds, or authorized representatives;
• insurance carriers, prior agents, reinsurers, and insurance-support organizations;
• consumer reporting agencies and providers of motor-vehicle, claims-history, property, or credit-based insurance reports;
• public records, government agencies, licensing authorities, and property records;
• inspectors, appraisers, loss-control professionals, and other service providers; and
• website hosting, communications, fraud-prevention, and security providers.

Collection techniques may include applications and questionnaires, review of public records, verification with third parties, consumer or insurance-support reports, property inspections, and, when permitted and relevant, interviews. Information obtained from a report prepared by an insurance-support organization may be retained by that organization and disclosed to other persons as permitted by law.

4. How we use information

GuardPoint may use information to:

• respond to questions and provide requested quote or customer service;
• identify insurance options and submit information to carriers or underwriting partners at your direction;
• apply for, place, service, renew, change, or help administer coverage;
• assist with billing questions, documents, certificates, and claims reporting or guidance;
• communicate by telephone, email, or text according to your request and consent;
• document communication preferences and SMS consent;
• protect clients, detect fraud, maintain security, troubleshoot the website, and prevent misuse;
• maintain records and comply with legal, regulatory, contractual, audit, and carrier requirements; and
• establish, exercise, or defend legal rights.

5. When information may be disclosed

GuardPoint does not sell personal information. We may disclose information only as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this notice, as directed or authorized by you, or as permitted or required by law. Recipients may include:

• insurance companies, managing general agents, wholesale brokers, reinsurers, claims administrators, and other parties involved in quoting, underwriting, placing, servicing, or administering coverage;
• consumer reporting agencies and insurance-support organizations;
• vendors that provide agency-management, communications, website hosting, document, security, compliance, or other operational services under appropriate restrictions;
• auditors, professional advisers, regulators, law-enforcement agencies, courts, or other government authorities;
• persons involved in preventing or investigating fraud, material misrepresentation, unlawful activity, or threats to safety; and
• a successor or proposed successor in a lawful merger, sale, transfer, or reorganization, subject to applicable confidentiality requirements.

Applicable law permits certain disclosures without prior authorization, including disclosures required by law or legal process, to insurance regulators, and for specified fraud-prevention or audit purposes. Minnesota examples are described in Minnesota Statutes section 72A.502; Wisconsin insurance privacy requirements are addressed in Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter Ins 25. When an authorization, opt-out opportunity, or post-disclosure notice is required, GuardPoint or the responsible insurer will obtain or provide it as applicable.

6. Mobile and SMS privacy

GuardPoint uses text messaging only for conversational, quote-related, and customer-service communications. Messages may be sent personally or through automated technology. GuardPoint does not send promotional or marketing text messages under this program.

SMS consent is optional and is not a condition of purchasing insurance. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP or by contacting GuardPoint. Reply HELP for assistance. Message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. Additional details are in our SMS Terms.

7. Website forms, cookies, and technology

The general contact form prepares an email in your device's email application. The completed request is sent only if you review and send that email. If you affirmatively check the optional SMS-consent box, the website records the contact information you supplied, the applicable consent-language version, the form source, and a timestamp so GuardPoint can document your consent.

The separate quote portal and Client Center display services hosted by EZLynx / AgentInsure. Opening either portal page connects your browser to that provider, which receives technical information such as your IP address and browser details and may use cookies or similar technology to operate its service. Information you enter inside a portal is submitted directly to that service, rather than through GuardPoint's general contact form. Review the privacy notice and terms displayed within the portal. A direct link is also available if your browser cannot display the embedded service.

This website does not currently use advertising pixels or cross-site behavioral advertising. The website and its hosting, security, and communications providers may use essential technology and server logs necessary to operate, protect, and diagnose the service. If GuardPoint later adds analytics, advertising technology, or a materially different collection practice, this notice will be updated before that practice is used where required.

8. Security and retention

GuardPoint uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. No website, email system, text-messaging platform, or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.

Information is retained only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this notice, including providing and servicing insurance, documenting consent and transactions, meeting carrier and legal recordkeeping obligations, resolving disputes, preventing fraud, and enforcing agreements. Retention periods vary by record type and applicable requirements. Information is securely deleted or de-identified when no longer reasonably needed, subject to lawful retention obligations.

9. Access and correction rights

Depending on the state and the information involved, Minnesota and Wisconsin residents may have rights concerning personal information held by an insurance agent, insurer, or insurance-support organization. After proper identification and a written request, those rights may include the ability to:

• learn the nature and substance of personal information held about you;
• see and copy the information or request a copy by mail;
• learn the identity of persons to whom the information was disclosed during the preceding two years, as required by law; and
• request correction, amendment, or deletion of information you believe is inaccurate.

GuardPoint will respond within the time required by applicable law. Minnesota law generally provides 30 business days for a qualifying correction, amendment, or deletion request. If a Minnesota request is denied, you may have the right to submit a concise statement of disagreement and appeal to the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce. Wisconsin rights and notice procedures depend on the record, the transaction, and the insurer involved. These rights are subject to legal exceptions and may need to be exercised directly with the insurer or insurance-support organization that controls the record. GuardPoint will identify the appropriate recipient when reasonably possible.

To make a request, use the contact information below and include “Privacy Request” in the subject line. Do not email highly sensitive identification documents until GuardPoint provides a secure method.

10. Children, changes, and contact information

This website is intended for adults seeking insurance information and is not directed to children under 13. GuardPoint does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children through this website.

This notice may be updated to reflect changes in law, technology, or business practices. The effective date at the top shows the latest revision. Material changes will be communicated when required by law.