Privacy Policy | Startup Insurance

This Privacy Policy describes how ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC, and any of its affiliates or subsidiary companies (collectively, “we,” “us,” or “our”) collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you access or use StartupInsurance.ai and our related websites, applications, and services (collectively, the “Services”). StartupInsurance.ai is a marketing brand of ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC.

ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC is a licensed insurance agency. We act as an insurance agent/broker that helps individuals and businesses evaluate, obtain, and manage insurance coverage offered by insurance carriers. We are not an insurance carrier, and coverage is subject to carrier underwriting and approval.

By using the Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy applies to information we collect when you:

visit or use our Services;
request an insurance quote, request a contract check, or submit an application through us;
communicate with us (including by email, phone, chat, SMS/text, or social media);
attend events or seminars where we are present; or
otherwise interact with us in connection with our Services.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party websites, services, or platforms (including insurer websites) that may link to or be accessible from our Services. Those third parties have their own privacy policies.

For a short summary of how we handle quote applications, contract-check requests, and uploaded documents, see How we handle your information.

Interpretation and Definitions

Interpretation

Words with initial capitalization have meanings defined below. These definitions apply whether the terms appear in singular or plural.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:

Account means a unique account created for you to access parts of our Services.
Affiliate means an entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a party.
Company means ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC, One Harbor Drive, Suite 300, Sausalito, California 94965, United States.
Cookies are small files placed on your device that store information such as preferences and browsing history.
Device means any device that can access the Services (e.g., computer, smartphone, tablet).
Personal Information (or Personal Data) means information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked to an identified or identifiable individual. In the insurance context, this can include “nonpublic personal information.”
Service Provider means a third party that processes information on our behalf (e.g., hosting, security, communications, payments).
Usage Data means data collected automatically when using the Services (e.g., pages visited, time spent, device and browser information).
Website means the StartupInsurance.ai websites and related pages accessible at https://www.startupinsurance.ai and any of its subdomains, including https://quotes.startupinsurance.ai.
You means the individual accessing or using the Services, or the company or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Services.

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you use our Services (e.g., browsing our website vs. requesting an insurance quote, applying for coverage, or receiving ongoing agency services). We may collect the following categories of information:

A. Information you provide to us

Contact and account details: name, email address, phone number, mailing address, business name, and account login credentials (if applicable).
Business and professional details: job title, business description, industry, entity type, state of incorporation, year founded, employer identification number (EIN), employee information, and related business identifiers.
Insurance quote/application information: information typically required to obtain quotes or bind coverage, such as ownership and operations details, financial information (for example, revenue, assets, cash, and net income), funding and investor details, prior insurance information, loss/claims history, and other risk/underwriting information.
Documents you upload: for example, financial statements, customer contracts or insurance requirements, current policies, and certificates of insurance.
Government ID and verification details (when needed): driver’s license/state ID, Social Security number, passport number, or other identifiers as required for identity verification, fraud prevention, premium finance, or carrier underwriting (depending on the product and circumstances).
Payment and transaction details (if applicable): billing contact information, payment method information, transaction records, and related communications.
Communications: information you provide when you contact us (emails, chat messages, and support requests). We may record calls where permitted by law and/or with appropriate notice.

B. Information collected automatically (online)

When you use our Services, we may automatically collect:

Device and network data: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type, language preferences, and general location derived from IP address.
Usage data: pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, referring/exit pages, and other interaction data.
Security signals: information our hosting and security providers use to protect the Services and to tell people from automated traffic, such as the spam check on our forms.
Cookies, local storage, and similar technologies: described in Section 5.

C. Information from third parties

As an insurance agency/broker, we may receive information from third parties in connection with providing our Services, including:

Insurance carriers, underwriting platforms, wholesalers, MGAs, and other insurance intermediaries involved in quoting, underwriting, binding, servicing, and renewing coverage.
Public sources and industry databases: business registries, licensing boards, and similar sources.
Service providers and vendors supporting verification, fraud detection, compliance screening, or premium finance (as applicable).
Your employer, colleagues, or authorized representatives if they request coverage or services on your behalf.

We treat information received from you or from third parties in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

2. How We Use the Information We Collect

We use information to operate our Services, provide insurance agency/brokerage services, and comply with legal obligations. This includes:

A. Providing insurance agency/brokerage services

providing quotes, evaluating options, and assisting with selecting coverage;
reviewing contracts and insurance requirements you send us;
submitting quote requests and applications to insurance carriers and intermediaries on your behalf;
placing/binding coverage when authorized;
servicing policies, endorsements, certificates of insurance, renewals, and related support; and
assisting with claims reporting and communications (as applicable).

B. Communicating with you

responding to requests and providing customer support;
sending transactional and administrative communications (e.g., quote status, policy documents, renewal reminders);
sending marketing messages where permitted by law (you may opt out as described below).

C. Compliance, risk management, and security

verifying identity and preventing fraud;
conducting compliance screening (e.g., sanctions, anti-fraud, and other checks as required);
protecting the security and integrity of our Services, including scanning uploaded documents for malware; and
enforcing our agreements and policies.

D. Improving and operating our business

analyzing and improving our Services, user experience, and offerings;
conducting internal research and development; and
creating aggregated or de-identified analytics, where permitted.

We do not sell personal information as “leads.” We disclose information only as necessary to provide our Services, comply with law, and run our business, including:

A. Insurance market participants (to obtain quotes and provide coverage)

We may disclose information with:

insurance carriers/insurers;
underwriting platforms and insurance intermediaries (e.g., wholesalers, MGAs, program administrators);
reinsurers (typically through the carrier ecosystem);
premium finance companies (if you choose or require financing); and
claims administrators or adjusters (as applicable).

These disclosures are made to quote, underwrite, bind, administer, service, or renew insurance coverage, or to assist with claims.

B. Service providers and vendors

We may share information with Service Providers that help us operate our business (e.g., website hosting, security, cloud storage, customer support systems, communications tools, and payment processors). Service Providers are contractually restricted from using personal information for purposes other than providing services to us or on our behalf.

SMS / Text Messaging Opt‑In Data

Text messaging originator opt‑in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties for their own marketing or promotional purposes. We may share your mobile number and messaging data with our service providers solely to deliver and administer text messages (e.g., messaging platform providers), and as required by law.

C. Affiliates

We may share information with our Affiliates for everyday business purposes (such as servicing accounts, operations, and compliance), consistent with applicable law.

D. Legal and regulatory disclosures

We may disclose information:

to comply with applicable laws, regulations, subpoenas, court orders, or lawful governmental requests;
to respond to regulatory inquiries (including state insurance regulators);
to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Company, our customers, users, or the public; or
to investigate, prevent, or address fraud, security incidents, or technical issues.

E. Business transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of assets, information may be disclosed as part of that transaction, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections.

We may share information when you request us to share it or otherwise consent.

A. Marketing preferences

You can opt out of marketing emails by using the “unsubscribe” link in the email. If you receive marketing texts, you can typically opt out by replying STOP (or by following the instructions provided in the message). You may still receive transactional/service messages related to quotes, policies, renewals, and other service communications.

B. Cookies and similar technologies

You can manage cookies and local storage through your browser settings. Blocking cookies or local storage may impact site functionality, such as the spam check on our forms or saving an unfinished application.

C. Limiting certain disclosures

Depending on your relationship with us and applicable law (including insurance and financial privacy laws), you may have the right to limit certain disclosures of “nonpublic personal information” to nonaffiliated third parties outside of permitted exceptions. If you have questions about available opt-out rights, contact us at hello@contractornerd.com.

D. SMS / Text Messaging

If you provide your mobile number and opt in to receive text messages from us, we may send you transactional and service-related texts (for example, quote updates, policy servicing messages, reminders, and customer support). If you separately opt in to marketing texts (where permitted), we may also send marketing messages.

Opt out: Reply STOP to cancel.
Help: Reply HELP for help.
Message frequency: Varies.
Message & data rates: May apply.
Consent: Your consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services.

We do not share SMS opt-in consent with third parties for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

5. Tracking Technologies and Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies, such as scripts and local storage, to operate our Services, keep them secure, and remember your progress.

What StartupInsurance.ai uses today:

Hosting and security (Cloudflare): our Services are hosted and protected by Cloudflare. Its security features, including the spam check on our forms (Cloudflare Turnstile), may set cookies and process device and network signals to tell people from automated traffic.
Saved progress on the quote application: your unfinished answers are saved in your browser on your device for up to 7 days so you can finish later. Files and your signature are not saved this way. Submitting the application or choosing Start over clears the saved answers.

We do not currently use analytics, advertising, session replay, or heatmap tools on StartupInsurance.ai. If we add them, we will update this Privacy Policy before we do.

Most browsers let you remove or reject cookies and similar technologies through your browser settings. Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect site functionality or certain features of the Services.

Do Not Track and Opt-Out Preference Signals

Some browsers offer “Do Not Track” signals. Our Services may not respond to “Do Not Track” signals. Where required by law, we honor opt-out preference signals (for example, browser-based signals) as requests to opt out of certain data uses such as sale/sharing for targeted advertising.

6. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

provide the Services and manage our relationship with you;
maintain records required for insurance transactions and regulatory compliance;
resolve disputes and enforce agreements; and
maintain business records and security logs.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information and whether you are a visitor, prospect, applicant, or customer. We may retain information longer where required by law or to establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.

7. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. For example, uploaded documents are stored privately and stay locked until a malware scan finishes. However, no system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee that information will never be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed due to a breach of safeguards.

8. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use AI (including generative AI) to support customer service, detect fraud, improve operations, and enhance user experience. We do not use AI to make final underwriting decisions for insurance carriers. When we use AI tools, we take steps designed to protect personal information and use appropriate controls and vendor safeguards.

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites (including insurer and partner sites). We do not control and are not responsible for those third parties’ privacy practices.

If you interact with us through social media, any information you provide is governed by the social media platform’s privacy policy and your settings.

10. Children’s Privacy

The Services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, please contact us at hello@contractornerd.com and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

11. U.S. Privacy Rights (Including California)

Certain U.S. state privacy laws provide residents with rights regarding their personal information. If you would like to exercise your rights, contact us using the information in Section 12.

California residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have the right to:

Know/Access: request information about the personal information we collected, used, disclosed, and (if applicable) sold/shared.
Delete: request deletion of certain personal information, subject to exceptions.
Correct: request correction of inaccurate personal information.
Opt out of sale/sharing: opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information (as those terms are defined by California law), if applicable.
Limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information: where applicable and as provided by law.
Non-discrimination: you will not be discriminated against for exercising your rights.

Submitting a request

You can submit a privacy request by emailing hello@contractornerd.com.

We will verify your identity before completing certain requests. Authorized agents may submit requests on your behalf where permitted by law.

Response timing

We generally respond within 45 days of receiving a verifiable request, and we may extend this period where permitted by law.

Notice of sale/sharing

We do not sell personal information as “leads.” If we engage in online advertising that may be considered “sharing” under applicable law, you may opt out by emailing hello@contractornerd.com and/or by using supported opt-out preference signals where required.

Shine the Light

We do not disclose personal information to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes without consent. Therefore, California’s “Shine the Light” law (California Civil Code § 1798.83) generally does not apply.

Other states

If you reside in another state with privacy rights (such as Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah, and others), you may have similar rights to access, delete, correct, and opt out of targeted advertising or certain disclosures. Contact us to submit a request.

Insurance Information Practices Notice

Certain states adopt insurance-specific privacy laws and may require an Insurance Information Practices Notice describing additional rights for insurance transactions. Where required, we provide or make available a separate notice upon request at hello@contractornerd.com.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or would like to exercise privacy rights, contact us:

Email: hello@contractornerd.com
Phone: 888.898.6378
Mail: ContractorNerd Insurance Services, LLC, Attn.: Legal Department, One Harbor Drive, Suite 300, Sausalito, California 94965, United States

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be effective when posted. If we make material changes, we will provide notice as required by applicable law. Your continued use of the Services after the effective date of an updated Privacy Policy means you accept the updated Privacy Policy.