Vulnerable Persons Policy - Customer
WhateverWheels Limited understand the importance for our customers to receive the appropriate information about the products and services that we offer to enable them to make an informed decision. Entering into a vehicle hire, finance or service agreement with its imposed terms and conditions involves a long-term financial commitment, so it is vital that our customers fully understand their obligations. There are occasions when someone who, due to their personal circumstances, may be vulnerable and therefore especially susceptible to detriment. We, therefore, need to ensure that we consider the circumstances of each individual and tailor our approach in an attempt to remove any barriers that restrict the customer from accessing our products and services and achieving a satisfactory outcome.Recognising consumer vulnerability
We realise that a customer may be vulnerable or potentially vulnerable for various reasons, these may include mental or physical infirmity, age, credulity, addiction, a recent change in circumstances, new to finance commitments or a particular financial product, learning difficulties, illiteracy and/or where English is not the customer's first language. The reason for the vulnerability could be permanent or a temporary situation. The staff at WhateverWheels Limited are trained to ask our customers questions and to actively listen to responses. A customer may reveal information that suggests that they could be vulnerable (self-identification) or we may recognise certain behaviours which could indicate that a customer is potentially vulnerable.What happens if a customer is identified as being vulnerable?
If a customer is identified as being vulnerable, this does not preclude a customer from obtaining finance for their vehicle. Due to the diversity of the factors that can contribute to the level of customer vulnerability, there will not be one approach that can be adapted to fit each circumstance. However, examples of how we may ensure that the customer receives a fair outcome could be the way that we communicate, asking more questions, taking more time to go over things, and/or make suggestions for another family member to be party to the conversations. The overriding principle in our dealings with vulnerable customers is that fair outcomes are achieved throughout the customer journey, and any barriers are removed to access our products and services.We will always deal with our customers respectfully and with integrity.
