This Cookie Policy explains how Professional Insurance UK uses cookies and other technologies that store information on, or access information from, a browser or device.
It should be read with our Privacy Policy.
What cookies and similar technologies are
A cookie is a small item of data that a website asks a browser to store. Cookies may be temporary for a browsing session or may remain until an expiry date or deletion.
Other storage and access technologies can include local storage, scripts, tags, pixels, device information and similar methods. UK electronic-communications rules apply to more than conventional cookie files.
Current PIUK position
The approved PIUK content and site-publisher package does not add:
- visitor analytics or audience-profiling cookies;
- advertising or advertising-measurement cookies;
- affiliate-tracking cookies;
- social-media tracking pixels or plugins;
- visitor personalisation cookies;
- quotation, lead-generation or insurance-application tracking;
- embedded third-party video or media that loads tracking technology automatically.
Professional Insurance UK may use:
- WordPress authentication and settings cookies for authorised editors and administrators;
- a temporary WordPress test cookie when the WordPress login screen is used;
- strictly necessary hosting, network, security or fault-detection technology;
- a preference record if a cookie or privacy control is introduced.
WordPress administrative cookies are not intended to be set merely because an ordinary reader views a public article.
The final installed site must be checked against this inventory. If a plugin, host, network service or future commercial feature introduces another technology, the inventory, controls and this policy must be updated before or when that technology becomes active.
Current known WordPress cookies
| Cookie or category | Purpose | Who normally receives it | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
wordpress_test_cookie | Tests whether the browser can accept cookies on the WordPress login screen | A person visiting the login screen | Temporary/session |
wordpress_[hash] or wordpress_sec_[hash] | Authenticates an authorised WordPress user | Signed-in editors or administrators | Session or configured authentication period |
wordpress_logged_in_[hash] | Records that an authorised user is signed in | Signed-in editors or administrators | Session or configured authentication period |
wp-settings-{UID} and related settings cookies | Remembers authorised-user administration preferences | Signed-in editors or administrators | WordPress/configuration-defined |
| Hosting, delivery or security technology | Network delivery, load balancing, security, fraud prevention or fault detection where technically necessary | Depends on provider and event | Limited to the period necessary for the purpose |
| Consent or preference record | Remembers a choice made through a future on-site privacy control | Readers who use that control | The duration stated in the control and cookie inventory |
When consent is required
Under regulation 6 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003, storing information on or accessing information from a user’s equipment is prohibited unless an applicable Schedule A1 condition or exception is met.
Consent is generally required before using non-exempt technologies.
Non-exempt technologies must not be activated first and explained afterwards. The user must receive clear information and a genuine choice before they are enabled.
Technologies that may be used without consent
The current rules contain exceptions for limited purposes, including:
- transmitting a communication over a network;
- providing a service that the user has requested where the technology is strictly necessary;
- limited statistical measurement used solely to improve the service;
- adapting the appearance or functionality of the service to a user’s preference;
- emergency assistance.
The statistical and appearance exceptions have additional transparency and objection requirements. Their scope is narrow and does not permit unrelated tracking or profiling.
A technology is not “strictly necessary” merely because it benefits the website operator or generates advertising revenue. Advertising purposes require consent.
Analytics
Professional Insurance UK does not currently add visitor analytics through the approved content or publisher package.
If statistical analytics are introduced, we must first determine whether:
- the technology qualifies for the statistical-purpose exception and provides aggregate information only;
- readers receive clear information and a simple, free method of objecting;
- consent is required before the technology is activated.
Analytics used to identify, profile or track individual visitors, measure advertising or follow people between services would not fall within the limited statistical exception described by the ICO.
Advertising and affiliate technology
Professional Insurance UK may consider display advertising in the future, but advertising is not confirmed as currently live. There are currently no approved affiliate links, sponsored-content tracking, broker referrals, quote forms or lead-generation arrangements.
Any storage or access technology used for online advertising, ad measurement, frequency management, affiliation or cross-site tracking would require a fresh privacy, legal and commercial-disclosure review and, where required, prior consent.
Read our Advertising and Commercial Disclosure for the current commercial position.
Embedded and third-party content
The current approved content package does not add tracking-enabled embedded video, social-media plugins or similar third-party content.
If an embed is introduced, it should be configured so that third-party storage or access does not occur automatically where that can reasonably be avoided. A just-in-time notice or consent control may be required before the reader activates it.
A normal link to an external website does not itself mean that PIUK controls that site’s cookies. The external operator’s policy applies after you leave Professional Insurance UK.
Managing your choices
Where a PIUK cookie or privacy-preference control is available, use it to review or change your selection.
You may also delete or block cookies through your browser. Blocking strictly necessary or authentication cookies may prevent a requested function, such as an authorised WordPress login, from working correctly.
Browser controls do not remove our responsibility to obtain consent before activating a non-exempt technology.
Retention and expiry
A cookie or similar technology should remain active only for a period proportionate to its purpose.
There is no single statutory duration for every cookie. The duration should be justified, limited to what is necessary and reviewed when the technology or purpose changes.
Cookie and storage audits
We review the approved PIUK package for storage and access technologies when relevant functionality changes.
A technical review should identify:
- the technology present;
- who sets or controls it;
- its purpose;
- whether personal information is processed;
- whether an exception applies;
- whether consent or an objection control is needed;
- its duration;
- any third-party recipient;
- whether the published information remains accurate.
The ICO recommends regular reviews and describes browser-based checks and server-side code review as appropriate audit methods.
Changes to this policy
This policy must be updated if analytics, advertising, embedded media, consent management, security technology or another material site feature changes the current inventory.
The current editorial review date appears at the top of the page.
Contact
For a question about this policy or the website’s use of storage and access technologies, use our Contact Us page or email: zenithstarmediagroup@gmail.com
Do not include policy, claim, payment, identity or medical information.