Our Complaints Procedure

We aim to provide you with the highest standards of service.  However, there may be occasions when our service falls short of your expectations.  This easy to use guide is designed to help you make us aware of your views so that we can address your concerns.  To ensure your maximum protection our complaints procedure has been designed to meet the requirements of the Financial Services Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

1. WE CAN HELP

Your initial concerns should be addressed to:

The Customer Services Manager
Direct Life & Pension Services
Metro House
Northgate
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1BE

If you prefer you may telephone us on 01243 817900.  Alternatively, you may forward details of your complaint via our website at www.directlife.co.uk.

• We will send you a written acknowledgement within five working days of receiving your complaint.
• Your concerns will be fully investigated by a Senior Manager within the company and every effort will be made to issue a detailed response within four weeks of receiving your complaint.
• Should you have any concerns in the meantime please contact the member of staff whose name appears on the acknowledgement letter.

2. STILL UNHAPPY?

• After receiving our response, if you feel your complaint has not been fully addressed please let us know and we will refer the matter to a Director.
• Your letter will be acknowledged within five working days of receipt.
• A final response will be issued within eight weeks of the initial receipt of your complaint or we will explain why we are not in a position to provide you with one.  Understandably, the process will take longer than eight weeks if you are unable to reply promptly to our earlier correspondence.
• In the unlikely event that no final response is provided by us within the period detailed immediately above, you are entitled to refer your complaint to the Ombudsman. You will be provided with further details of how to do this at the appropriate time.

3. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

If you still remain dissatisfied, following our final response, you have the option to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service at:

The Financial Ombudsman Service
South Quay Plaza
183 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SR

• You should refer the matter to the Ombudsman as soon as possible after our final response, but this must be within six months of the date of our final response letter.

Please note:

You will need to complete our Complaints Procedure or have received a letter informing you that you can now approach the Financial Ombudsman Service before the Ombudsman will investigate.

There are certain types of complaint which are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.  Before you refer the matter to the Ombudsman you may wish to call them on 0845 080 1800 to discuss your complaint.  You can also visit their website on www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk  for more information