Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide and improve our free Service, including:

• Personal Information you provide: Name, email address, phone number, ZIP code/location, account login details (if you create an account).
• Vehicle and Claim-Related Information: Make/model/year/mileage/trim/VIN (if provided), accident details, photos/documents you upload, insurer offer details, policy information.
• Automatically Collected Data: IP address, device type, browser, usage data (pages visited, time spent), cookies/analytics (e.g., Google Analytics).
• Other: Communications with support.

We do not require you to provide sensitive personal information (e.g., SSN, financial details beyond what's necessary for claim guidance), but if you voluntarily submit it, it may be collected.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide the free Service (e.g., generate valuation estimates, templates, comps from public listings).
• Improve tools and user experience.
• Communicate with you (e.g., updates, support).
• Aggregate and anonymize data for analysis, research, and monetization (see Section 4).

3. How We Share Your Information

To keep the Service completely free, we monetize by selling personal information to third parties (e.g., auto industry partners, data analysts, or other businesses for market research, benchmarking, lead generation, or similar purposes). This may include identifiable data such as your name, contact details, location, vehicle/claim specifics, and usage patterns.

We also share data with:

• Service providers (e.g., hosting, analytics) under strict contracts.
• In response to legal requirements, business transfers, or to protect rights/safety.

4. Our Data Monetization Practices – Sale of Personal Information

We sell categories of personal information (as defined under laws like CCPA/CPRA) to third parties. This revenue model funds our free access, equivalent to what consumers might pay hundreds for professional advocacy or appraisal services. Sales may include:

• Identifiers (e.g., name, email, phone).
• Location data (e.g., ZIP code).
• Vehicle/claim-related data.
• Internet/electronic activity.

We comply with applicable laws when selling data. We do not sell sensitive personal information beyond what's necessary or permitted.

5. Your Privacy Rights (Including CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident (or in states with similar laws), you have rights including:

• Right to know what personal information we collect/use/sell/share.
• Right to access, correct, or delete your data.
• Right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information.
• Right to limit use/disclosure of sensitive personal information (if applicable).
• Right not to be discriminated against for exercising rights.

To exercise rights (including opt-out from sales):

• Use our prominent "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the website footer.
• Submit a verifiable request via email to privacy@autoequityexperts.com or our online form.
• We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals automatically where feasible.

We respond to requests within 45 days (extendable). Opt-outs are honored promptly (up to 15 business days under CCPA).

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures (e.g., encryption, access controls) to protect your information, but no system is 100% secure. You use the Service at your own risk.

7. Data Retention

We retain data as long as needed for the Service, legal obligations, or aggregated analysis (typically 3–7 years for identifiable data; indefinitely for fully anonymized aggregates).

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13 (or 16 in some contexts). We do not knowingly collect data from children. If we learn of such collection, we delete it.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy. Changes will be posted here with the updated date. Continued use constitutes acceptance.

10. Contact Us

Questions? Contact: privacy@autoequityexperts.com or AutoEquity Experts, 5359 Middleton Road, San Diego, CA 92109.