Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Disaster Recovery ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website at disasterrecovery.com.au or use our disaster restoration services.

We comply with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and are committed to respecting the privacy rights of individuals.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name and contact details (phone number, email address, postal address)
• Property details and damage information
• Insurance policy information (if applicable)
• Payment and billing information
• Communications between you and our team
• Photographic documentation of property damage
• Emergency contact information

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website addresses
• Location data (suburb/city level only)

2.3 Cookies

We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us recognise you and remember your preferences. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Providing disaster restoration services
• Processing emergency service requests
• Communicating with you about our services
• Coordinating with insurance companies (with your consent)
• Scheduling appointments and service calls
• Processing payments and invoicing
• Improving our services and customer experience
• Complying with legal obligations
• Marketing our services (with your consent)
• Maintaining records for warranty and guarantee purposes

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information. We may share your information with:

• Insurance Companies: With your explicit consent, to process claims
• Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist in our operations
• Subcontractors: Specialised technicians working under our supervision
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or court order
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger or acquisition
• Emergency Services: When necessary for health and safety

All third parties are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of your personal information.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against:

• Unauthorised access or disclosure
• Loss, misuse, or alteration
• Unlawful destruction or accidental loss

Security measures include:

• SSL encryption for data transmission
• Secure storage systems with access controls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on privacy and data protection
• Confidentiality agreements with employees and contractors

6. Your Rights and Choices

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to:

• Access: Request access to your personal information
• Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out: Opt-out of marketing communications
• Portability: Request a copy of your information in a portable format
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint about our privacy practices

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 11.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services and maintain warranty records
• Comply with legal, tax, and accounting requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Support insurance claims (typically 7 years)

After the retention period, we securely destroy or anonymise your personal information.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. International Data Transfers

We store and process your information in Australia. If we need to transfer your information overseas, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place and comply with Australian privacy laws.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us:

12. Complaints

If you believe we have breached your privacy rights, please contact us immediately. We take all complaints seriously and will investigate promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a new effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

14. Consent

By using our website or services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our website or services.