terms and conditions

LEATHER CARE COVER INSURANCE POLICY

In consideration of the payment of premium and acceptance by the Underwriter, the Underwriter shall indemnify You during the Period of Cover for the cost of professional cleaning of the Leather Product(s) subject to the terms and conditions of this policy.

This policy contains all contractual terms and conditions of Your cover, the benefits and exclusions and the claims procedure. Please read it carefully so that You know what is and is not covered.

1. DEFINITIONS

The words which appear in this policy with a capital letter have the following meanings:

"Commencement Date" means the date that the Leather Product(s) were delivered to You.

"Leather Product(s)" means the new leather furniture purchased from the retailer for private domestic use and itemised overleaf.

"Period of Cover" means a period of 5 years from the Commencement Date.

"DFS" means DFS Trading Limited, Redhouse Interchange, Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN6 7NA.

"Underwriter" means Inter Partner Assistance SA, The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PR.

"You/Your" means the person who has purchased the Leather Product(s) and this 5 year stain cover insurance.

2. LIMIT OF INDEMNITY

The Underwriter’s maximum liability to You during the Period of Cover shall not exceed the original purchase price of the Leather Product(s).

3. EXCLUSIONS

This cover does not include:

• Stains resulting from dyes (including indelible ink and turmeric e.g. curry), acids, caustic solutions, adhesives, paints or burns;
• Damage caused prior to or during delivery;
• Leather Product(s) used for commercial or rental purposes;
• Leather Product(s) that has/have been mishandled, abused or neglected;
• General everyday soiling resulting from normal use;
• Stains not attended to promptly in accordance with Clause 4 “What to do in the event of a spill” and not reported at the earliest possible convenience after the incident of staining occurs;
• Any accidental stains to the Leather Product(s) occurring outside the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man;
• Unidentifiable stains;
• Cleaning of the Leather Product(s) which has not been undertaken by DFS or cleaned in accordance with the recommended methods of cleaning.
• The cost of replacing any undamaged item or parts of items of the Leather Product(s) which form part of a set, suite or has a uniform nature, colour or design if the damaged Leather Product(s) is repaired or replaced; or
• Leather which has been ripped or torn or has been subject to vandalism or alteration by a customer or third party.
• Causes of damage beyond our control such as fire, flood, wind or lightning.
• Stains on cushion interiors. The policy covers the leather only.
• Loss of use of the Leather Product(s) or any other consequential loss.

4. WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A SPILL

• You should act immediately. Blot liquid spills or remove solids with a clean white cloth/paper towel, work towards the centre of the spill. Do not rub – this will damage the Leather Product(s).
• Should a spill result in a stain, follow the claims procedure in Clause 5. below.

5. CLAIMS PROCEDURE

In the event of a possible claim under this cover please follow the claims procedure set out below. Contact the DFS store from where you purchased the product as soon as possible with the following information:

• Your name, address and postcode;
• contact telephone numbers;
• Customer Reference Number (shown overleaf);
• details of the Leather Product;
• a summary of the problem and how it occurred.

NOTES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS REGARDING CLAIMS PROCEDURE

• All possible incidents that may give rise to a claim under the terms and conditions of the policy must be notified at the earliest possible convenience to DFS as soon as the incident of staining occurs.
• In order to claim, You will be required to complete a claim form.
• DFS may inspect the Leather Product to help assess Your claim.
• In the event the Leather Product(s) is cleaned the Underwriter cannot guarantee an exact colour match with the remainder of the upholstery. The authorised agent will use reasonable endeavours to clean the stain by way of spot cleaning the stained area and blending with the remainder of the upholstery. The Underwriter will not be liable if DFS has used reasonable endeavours as set out in this Clause.

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS

• You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the care of the Leather product(s) and take all reasonable precautions to avoid damage.
• This policy shall be governed by English law. The parties to this policy agree to irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales unless You live in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, in which case You will be entitled to commence legal proceedings in Your local courts.
• You must take all reasonable care to prevent accidents and damage to the Leather Product(s) and keep the Leather Product(s) in a good state of repair and condition.
• The Underwriter’s liability to You under this cover shall immediately cease:
  • In the event of fraud or misrepresentation by You or Your agent;
  • Once the limit of indemnity in Clause 2 has been reached;
  • On the expiry of the Period of Cover;
  • If a claim has already been made for the Leather Product(s) under any other cover/insurance; or
  • If any of the Leather Product(s) is replaced. in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy or at the discretion of DFS.
• You will be liable for any costs falling outside this cover.
• When this policy ends it will not have a cash or surrender value.
• The premium paid for this cover is non-refundable.
• It shall be a condition precedent to the Underwriter’s liability that You comply with each of the terms and conditions set out in this policy.
• You may cancel this policy by advising the retailer from whom the Leather Product was purchased within 30 days of the Commencement Date and receive a full refund of any premium paid, providing no claims have been made. Thereafter You may cancel this policy at any time however, You will not be entitled to a refund of the premium.
• The Underwriter is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the “FSCS”). You may be entitled to compensation from the FSCS if the Underwriters cannot meet their obligations. The amount of compensation depends on the type of business. Most types of insurance business are covered for 100% of the first £2,000 of a valid claim and 90% of the remaining amount of the loss. Further information about compensation arrangements is available from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme on 020 7892 7300.

7. ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS

Any queries or complaints you have regarding this cover should in the first instance be addressed to: DFS Trading Limited, Redhouse Interchange, Adwick-le-Street, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN6 7NA. If You are still not satisfied, any queries or complaints You may have regarding this cover should be addressed to: General Manager, Inter Partner Assistance SA, The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PR.

Please quote Your Customer Reference Number (shown overleaf) so that Your enquiry can be dealt with quickly.

Should the matter still not be resolved to Your satisfaction, You will have the right to refer Your complaint to: The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS),South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR. This procedure will not prejudice Your right to take legal proceedings.

However, please note that there are some instances when the FOS cannot consider complaints. The 5 year Leather Care Cover is underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance SA, an insurance company registered in the UK who is authorised by the Commission Bancaire, Finance et des Assurances (CBFA) in Belgium and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK. Registered number FC008998. The UK branch of Inter Partner Assistance SA is also a member of the Association of British Insurers, 51 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HQ.

This document is evidence of the terms and conditions of the 5 year Leather Care Cover policy underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance SA. Registered Office: The Quadrangle, 106-118 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1PR, United Kingdom. Registered Number: FC008998.