Internet Privacy Policy
Last updated –February 6th, 2007
Merastar’s Internet Privacy Policy (“Internet Policy”) applies to Merastar Insurance Company and its affiliates (collectively described as “Merastar,” “we,” or “us”). This Internet Policy specifically applies to our online collection, use and disclosure of information collected from visitors during use of our websites, located at www.merastar.com and www.merastardirect.com (collectively, the “Site”). The Site is operated in and controlled from the United States of America. This Internet Policy should be read together with our customer privacy notice (available at http://www.merastar.com/pdf/privacy.pdf), which describes Merastar’s privacy policies and practices for individuals who apply for our financial products and services, our customers and our former customers.
Our Commitment to Customer Privacy
Merastar respects the rights that applicants and customers have regarding the disclosure of certain information about them. Our commitment to privacy is set forth in our privacy notice, Important Privacy Information and Choices  .
Our Commitment to Online Privacy
Merastar also understands the specific concerns of Internet users about what information is being collected and how it is being collected and used on Internet websites. Accordingly, we have extended our commitment above to users of our Site.
This commitment is described below and sets forth how we use and disclose personal information about you, and what steps Merastar takes to protect your privacy when it is collected by us on our Site.
Information Gathered by Merastar
Merastar gathers information about visitors to our Site to improve the caliber of online information and services offered. There are two forms of data that Merastar collects on our Site: Site Visitor Data and Personal Data. How we collect this information and what we do with it is discussed below.
Site Visitor Data
Merastar routinely gathers data on Site activity. This information, "Site Visitor Data," is collected on an aggregate or anonymous basis. Site Visitor Data may include information such as: (i) how many people visit our Site; (ii) the pages they visit and the features they use; (iii) how long they stay on our Site; and (iv) the domain name of the Internet website from which visitors are connecting. Because Site Visitor Data does not personally identify you, we may use it for any purpose, and share Site Visitor Data with third parties for any purpose. (Please note that if any Site Visitor Data is linked with Personal Data, it will be treated as Personal Data for the purposes of this Internet Policy as long as it is so linked.)
In addition, we may collect Site Visitor Data by using "pixel tags," "web beacons," "clear GIFs" or similar means (collectively "Pixel Tags") embedded in the website's content. A Pixel Tag is an invisible tag placed on certain pages of our Site and is used to track an individual user's activity on our Site.
Personal Data
Merastar collects Personal Data which is any information that can identify a specific individual, such as name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth, driver's license information, an individual's preferences, and access codes. Most of this information is collected from Site visitors when they complete any online form, application, survey, or when they request a quote for insurance.
Personal Data collected by Merastar on our Site also may be used by us for a variety of other purposes, including:
- Editorial and feedback purposes;
- Marketing and promotional purposes, such as email newsletters and promotions;
- Answering visitors' inquiries;
- Statistical analysis of users' behavior;
- Product development;
- Content improvement;
- To customize content and layout of our Site.
We also may anonymize Personal Data collected by removing identifiers or by aggregating information and such anonymous data may be used for any purpose or shared with third parties.
Disclosure of Personal Data
Merastar may share Personal Data collected from visitors to our Site with our affiliates and/or non-affiliated third parties for their marketing purposes unless the visitor has exercised his/her opt-out right (see "It's Your Choice" below).
Merastar also works with third parties who provide services and we may share Personal Data about you with third parties that provide services such as: website hosting or information technology consulting services; marketing and promotion services; newsletters; data analysis, legal or audit services; accounting services; and other administrative, back-up and security services.
We may disclose Personal Data, as permitted or required by law, and: (i) to respond to governmental inquiries or requests; (ii) to protect the rights, privacy, safety or property of Merastar; (ii) to permit us to pursue available remedies or limit damages that we may sustain; and (iv) to enforce our Internet Terms and Conditions.
In the event there is a change in the corporate structure of Merastar such as, but not limited to, merger, consolidation, sale, liquidation, or transfer of substantial assets, Merastar may, in its sole discretion, transfer, sell or assign information collected on and through this Site, including without limitation Personal Data concerning visitors, to one or more affiliated or non-affiliated third parties.
Collection of Personal Data From Children
This Site is not directed toward children. Merastar does not knowingly collect or post information from children. Merastar encourages parents and guardians to spend time online with their children and to participate with them in the various interactive activities available on the Internet.
Email
To protect against and to correct misunderstandings, Merastar may monitor electronic communications conducted with us. Further, Merastar may, from time to time, send you marketing messages by e-mail about our products and services. If you do not wish to receive these e-mailed marketing messages from Merastar please send a request to merastar@merastar.com or follow the "unsubscribe" instructions in the specific e-mail you wish to opt-out from receiving to add yourself to our "Do Not E-Mail" database. Even if you elect to stop receiving promotional e-mails from us, we may still contact you to tell you important information about the Site or Merastar.
It’s Your Choice
If you do not want us to share Personal Data about you with affiliated and/or non-affiliated third parties for their marketing purposes, refer to our privacy notice that has an attached Opt-Out Form that you may fill out and return to us to process your choice. You also may call us toll-free at (800) 637-2782. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing your choice.
Hyperlinks
This Site may contain hyperlinks or “links,” to and from other Internet sites. These sites may have different privacy practices from the ones described here. Because this Internet Policy applies solely to our Site, please remember to read the privacy statements of the other Internet sites you visit if applicable. For more information about hyperlinks, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Security Standards
Merastar works hard to ensure that our systems are secure and that they meet industry standards. Where appropriate, we employ firewalls, encryption technology, user access codes (e.g., userIDs and passwords) and other access control mechanisms to control access to systems and data. We will continue to assess new technology to evaluate its ability to provide additional protection of the Personal Data that you provide us. Unfortunately, no method of transmitting or storing data can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. As a result, although we strive to protect Personal Data, we cannot ensure the security of any information you transmit to us through or in connection with the Site. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please notify us of the problem by contacting us at merastar@merastar.com or (800) 523-3796.
In the unlikely event that we believe that the security of Personal Data relating to you that is in our possession or control may have been compromised and if we believe that notification is appropriate, to the extent we have your e-mail address, we may notify you by e-mail.
If you receive an email or other correspondence requesting that you provide any sensitive information via email or to a website that that does not seem to be affiliated with the Site, or that otherwise seems suspicious to you, please do not provide any information and report the request to us at merastar@merastar.com or (800) 523-3796.
Right to Change Internet Policy
Merastar reserves the right to change this Internet Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our Site. We recommend that visitors to our Site re-visit this Internet Policy on occasion to learn of changes to our privacy practices and policies. You can determine when this policy was last revised by referring to the "Last Updated" legend at the top of this page. By continuing to use the Site after an updated policy has been posted, you will be deemed to have agreed to such changes. If you do not agree with the terms of this Internet Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, in whole or in part, please do not continue using the Site. If you have any questions or comments about this Internet Policy, please contact us at (800) 523-3796.
Contact Us
It is important to us at Merastar to hear what visitors have to say about our Site, our services, or any other issues. If you have any questions and/or concerns, or if you wish to update or change the Personal Data you have previously provided to us, please contact us at (800) 523-3796.
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