Vulnerable customers

Do you need extra care?

As part of our commitment to looking after customers who may be experiencing vulnerability – including people affected by family violence, SCTI has internal processes and procedures in place to ensure our products and services are accessible and can cater for customers with specific needs. 

SCTI defines vulnerable customers as customers and prospective customers whose ability or circumstances require us to take extra precautions in the way that we sell and provide our services to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in any way.

Our staff are trained to identify customers who may be vulnerable so we can take extra steps to assist outside of our standard procedures. However, it is not always possible to recognise customers with additional needs. If you believe you may fit the criteria of a customer who may be vulnerable, please let us know of your specific needs.

 

Domestic and Family Violence

Family violence can happen to anyone. If you are experiencing family violence and need this to be taken into consideration when you buy a policy or make a claim, please let us know so we can put in place processes that will protect you and your family.

In line with the Family Law Act 1975, section 4AB and Family Law Legislation Amendment Act 2011, SCTI defines Family Violence as; 

  • Violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a member of the person’s family (the family member), or causes the family member to be fearful.

This also includes harm caused to children who are exposed to family violence.

If you or your family are in immediate danger Call 000. To access 24/7 counselling and support call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

In respect of family violence SCTI:

  • Trains its employees to help them recognise instances of family violence and to understand that safety is paramount for anyone affected by family violence.
  • Protects private and confidential information of customers affected by family violence.
  • Minimises the number of times a customer affected by family violence needs to disclose information about family violence.
  • Ensures that claims handling processes for claimants affected by family violence are appropriate and sensitive.
  • Support services for domestic violence

     

    Service 

    		 Phone Website Services provided

     1800RESPECT

    1800 737 732 

    www.1800respect.org.au

     

    24/7 national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. 

     

     

    Safe Steps

     

    		 1800 015 188 www.safesteps.org.au 24/7 crisis support for women and children. Provides information on family violence support services, legal rights and accommodation options. 

     

    Men's Referral Service

     

    		 1300 766 491 www.mrs.org.au Anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals service. 

     

     inTouch

     

    		 1800 755 988 www.intouch.org.au Services, programs and responses to issues of family violence in migrant and refugee communities. 

     

     switchboard

     

    		 1800 755 988 www.switchboard.org.au  Advice and counselling to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTIQ+) people in Victoria & Tasmania

Financial hardship

If you’re having difficulty meeting your financial obligations to us, we may be able to assist you with financial hardship support. Financial hardship can result from a variety of circumstances and affect everyone differently. If you are experiencing financial hardship we can support you in a number of ways including implementing payment options for your claims excess, or temporarily placing on hold any recoveries by us.

If you would like to discuss our financial hardship options, please contact our team by phone on 1800 196 484 or send an email to info@scti.com.au.

 

Customers with additional needs

We want to ensure buying a policy or making a claim is as easy as possible. If you have specific needs and would like us to consider these when buying a policy or making a claim, please let us know.

Specific needs may include, but are not limited to:

  • Deaf, hearing impaired, deafblind and speech impaired
  • Visually impaired
  • Language or literacy difficulties (including learning difficulties such as dyslexia and English not being a first language)
  • Personal circumstances that may have adversely impacted on your physical, or mental health (including family violence)

Our commitment to vulnerable customers

If we think a customer may be vulnerable whether through our identification or if you have told us, we will:

  • Immediately make a record of this
  • Provide additional opportunities for you to ask questions about the information we have provided
  • Continuously seek confirmation that you have understood the information that has been provided
  • Ask if there is anybody with you who is able to assist. If not, and we believe this will be beneficial, we will make arrangements to continue with the subject matter at another time
  • Offer you the opportunity to complete the transaction after a period of further consideration

If we can’t help you, we will try and make sure you understand what alternative options are available to you.

If you would like to register as a vulnerable customer, phone us on 1800 196 484 or email us at customercare@scti.com.au.