Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how C & T Insurance (Homebound Child Placing Agency DBA C&T Insurance, “we,” “us,” or “our”), an independent insurance agency licensed and operating in the State of Texas, collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards information we obtain through this website (https://ct-shield-insurance.vibepreview.app and related domains), our quote request forms, and the client services we provide. We offer all-lines insurance and health-care-related insurance services, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, individual and group life insurance, health insurance, group employee benefits, long-term care (LTC), and business/commercial insurance.

By accessing this website, submitting a quote request, contacting us, or becoming a client, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy is governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Texas.

1. Information We Collect

• •Personal Identifiers: Full name, date of birth, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and Texas driver’s license or state ID number (when required by a carrier).
• •Health & Medicare Information: For Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D, individual health, and LTC coverage, we may collect health status, medical conditions, current prescriptions, physician information, and Medicare beneficiary identifier (MBI) as needed to complete applications and plan comparisons.
• •Life Insurance & Financial Information: For life and final-expense insurance, we may collect beneficiary information, coverage amount requested, tobacco/health questionnaire responses, and certain financial data required for underwriting (e.g., income for income-replacement coverage).
• •Group / Business Information: For group employee benefits and business insurance, we may collect employer name, industry code, census data (count of employees, ages, ZIP codes), EIN, and plan participation information.
• •Website & Form Data: Information you enter into our contact, quote, claim, or policy-change forms, including IP address, browser type, pages visited, and the content of messages you send us.

2. How We Use Your Information

• •To prepare insurance quotes and compare rates across multiple national carriers.
• •To submit applications and complete enrollment in Medicare, life, health, and group insurance products.
• •To service active policies, including processing claims, billing questions, and policy changes such as address or beneficiary updates.
• •To respond to your support requests, appointment confirmations, and general inquiries.
• •To send account and policy notifications, including renewal reminders and coverage updates.
• •To comply with Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), federal Medicare, and carrier reporting requirements.

3. Permitted Text & Electronic Communications

With your separate, express consent (by checking the applicable checkbox on our forms), we may send you the following categories of text (SMS) messages:

• •Non-Marketing / Account Messages: Appointment confirmations, appointment reminders, responses to general support requests, and account/policy notifications. Message frequency varies; message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for assistance, reply STOP to opt out.
• •Marketing / Promotional Messages: Special offers, discounts, and new product updates, among other marketing content. Message frequency varies; message and data rates may apply. Text HELP for assistance, reply STOP to opt out.
• •Consent Is Optional: Providing a phone number and checking a consent box is optional. You may submit a quote or contact request without consenting to text messages, and you may revoke consent at any time by replying STOP or contacting our office in writing.

4. How We Share Your Information

• •Insurance Carriers & Underwriters: We share application and health information with the carriers you select (e.g., Mutual of Omaha, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and others) for the purpose of quoting, underwriting, and issuing coverage.
• •Service Providers: We use trusted third-party platforms for customer-relationship management, form tracking, and marketing automation. These providers process data on our behalf under written agreements and are limited to using it to deliver our services.
• •As Required by Law: We may disclose information in response to a lawful request from TDI, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), the Texas Attorney General, or other governmental authorities, or as otherwise required by Texas and federal law.
• •We Do Not Sell Your Data: C & T Insurance does not sell your personal information to third parties for monetary compensation.

5. Medicare & Health Information Protections

• •We handle Medicare and health-related information consistent with applicable federal requirements, including those set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) where applicable.
• •We do not offer every Medicare plan available in Texas; the information we provide is limited to the plans and carriers we represent. For a complete list of options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
• •Authorized representatives (such as a spouse, family member, or agent you designate) may receive your information only with your written permission.

6. Data Security & Retention

• •We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
• •We retain personal and policy information for as long as needed to service your policy and as required by Texas insurance record-retention rules, then securely destroy or anonymize it.
• •Despite our safeguards, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Texas Privacy Rights

• •Access & Copies: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you and the categories of third parties to which we have disclosed it.
• •Correction: You may ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information related to your applications and policies.
• •Deletion & Opt-Out: You may request deletion of information no longer needed for active policies, and you may opt out of marketing text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message.
• •Authorized Agent: You may designate an authorized agent to make requests on your behalf by submitting written authorization to our office.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Cookies & Tracking

• •Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to remember form entries, measure traffic, and improve your experience.
• •You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may limit some website functionality.

10. Third-Party Links & Carrier Portals

Our site contains links to insurance-carrier billing portals and other third-party websites (e.g., carrier claim hotlines). This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites. We encourage you to review each site’s own privacy policy.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, Texas or federal law, or our services. The “Effective Date” above indicates the most recent revision. Continued use of our website or services after a change constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. How to Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, contact C & T Insurance at: