Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd , a company related to upcover Pty Ltd (“upcover”) is committed to the highest standards of compliance with applicable financial and domestic abuse laws and seeks to follow best practice where it is able. This Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy outlines our commitment to victims of financial or domestic abuse and has been endorsed by the Co-Founder & CEO of upcover and Responsible Manager of Experience Insurance Services.
The Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy is maintained and reviewed regularly by the Executive Director. The Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer will communicate the content of the Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy to staff and will ensure there is appropriate training and monitoring of compliance.
References to the Policy are references to the upcover Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy. References to “we”/”us”/”our” means upcover, our insurance partners and “you” means you as a policyholder, director, employee or other insured person or insured under a policy issued by upcover, or one of our insurance partners.
Financial abuse in the context of domestic and family violence (domestic and financial abuse) is a serious and widespread problem affecting people in communities across Australia.
At upcover, our purpose is to offer insurance products that benefit Australians. We recognise that some of our clients may be in vulnerable circumstances.
The Board and Senior Leadership Team receive regular reporting on risks relating to financial and domestic abuse and have ultimate accountability. The purpose of this Policy is to inform all our staff, stakeholders and insureds of the required approach to ensure financial and domestic abuse is not enabled and to protect the interests of victims.
The Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer is Skye Theodorou, Co-Founder & CEO upcover, and Responsible Manager of Experience Insurance Services.
The Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer is responsible for implementing effective Financial & Domestic Abuse procedures, monitoring compliance with those procedures and reporting to the Board. The upcover Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer reports to the Board at least annually and at any such time as a matter of material concern arises (including in respect of any material breach of this Policy).
The upcover Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer has appropriate level of seniority within the firm, and as our CEO or part of our leadership team, understands the relevant legislation and regulations and has the full support of the Board and Senior Leadership Team in carrying out his responsibilities. The upcover Financial & Domestic Abuse Policy Compliance Officer’s role is to act as the main point of contact within upcover, Experience Insurance Services and our insurance partners with day to day responsibility for all activity relating to financial or domestic abuse.
The Financial & Domestic Abuse Officer’s specific responsibilities include:Â
If you have any queries or concerns regarding any financial or domestic abuse issue you should contact the Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer immediately.
We believe that it is of critical importance that all our relevant members of staff receive an appropriate level of training on how to assist you in dealing with financial or domestic abuse. We will therefore ensure we provide suitable training. We are supporting our people by:
If you would like to discuss any further training requirements, please contact the Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer.
We understand that privacy and confidentiality can be critical to safety in any domestic and family violence situation and will take care to protect your personal information in line with our Privacy Policy.
Depending on your personal circumstances, we can help you:
1800RESPECT provides access to telephone or online counselling, information on safety planning, and information on how to support someone who is experiencing domestic and family violence. Call 1800 737 732.
Lifeline provides Australians experiencing a personal crisis with 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14.Â
ACT – Domestic Violence Crisis Service – 02 6280 0900 (24/7)
NSW – Domestic Violence Line – 1800 656 463 or 1800 671 442 (24/7)
NT – Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 1800 019 116 (24/7)
QLD – DV Connect Crisis Support – 1800 811 811 (24/7)
SA – Women’s Safety Services – 1800 800 098 (24/7)
TAS – Family Response and Referral Line – 1800 633 937 (24/7)
VIC – Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188 (24/7)
WA – Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 007 339 (24/7)Â
Relationships Australia provides support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners. To be connected to the nearest Relationships Australia, call 1300 364 277.
Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline. Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance. Call 1800 019 123.
The Victims Access Line provides free counselling and financial assistance for victims of crime. Call 1800 633 063 or the Aboriginal contact line on 1800 019 123.
Legal and Financial Support
National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007
Legal Aid NSW – 1300 888 259
Legal Aid QLD – 1300 651 188
Legal Aid VIC – 1300 792 387
Legal Aid WA – 1300 650 579
Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania – 1300 366 611
Legal Services Commission of SA – 1300 366 424
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission – 1800 019 343Â
Mensline Australia provides a free service offering national telephone and online support, information and referrals for men with family and relationship concerns. Call 1300 789 978.Â
Child Protection Helpline – 132 111
Kids Helpline. Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia. Call 1800 551 800.
Australian Childhood Foundation. Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse.
Call 1800 176 453 / .03 9874 3922.
Please contact us on [email protected] if you would like to speak with someone about obtaining some assistance, and request to speak with our product specialist team, our Financial & Domestic Abuse Compliance Officer or me directly.
Skye Theodorou
Co-Founder & CEO
upcover