Information Notice

    Information about our finance and insurance services

    1. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

    The FCA is the independent watchdog that regulates financial services. Use this information to decide if our services are right for you.

    2. Whose products do we offer?

    Hippo Vehicle Solutions Ltd is a Credit Broker, not a Lender, and can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and products to assist with your vehicle purchase. We are not an independent financial advisor and do not make recommendations. However, we will provide you with information on products that may suit your requirements based on the information you disclose to assist you in making an informed decision on your purchase.

    We offer a varied range of funding options, from hire products (such as personal contract hire and business contract hire) to finance products (such as hire purchase and personal contract purchase).

    For our finance product offering, the rate that you pay will depend on your credit score. Prior to proceeding, we will discuss this rate with you, and a full written example will be on your finance agreement should you go ahead. Our approach is to introduce you to our panel of lenders who will look to make you an offer of finance based on your circumstances. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we will inform you in writing. Please ask for a list of our funding partners. The rates available range from 12.9% and 49.9%. and are categorised as follows:

    • If you qualify for a prime rate via your credit score, your APR may vary between 12.9% and 13.9% APR, depending on the funder.
    • If you qualify for an acceptance with Alphera Motor Finance specifically and you choose a vehicle with an advance in excess of £30,000, you may qualify for a rate of 9.9% APR. Balances under £30,000 will attract a rate of 12.9% with the same lender. This rate is only available to customers who qualify via their credit score and vehicle value. If the balance to finance is close to this amount you should consider the amount of deposit you add to your deal, as it could be that paying less deposit could save money on interest charges. We will always show you all the options available to you and present any quotations with different deposit amounts to allow you to make an informed choice.
    • If you qualify for near-prime acceptance, rates start at 13.9% APR and are dependent on your credit score.
    • Customers with impaired credit can obtain credit with our subprime panel. The rate at which you will be accepted will be dependent on your credit score.

    Occasionally, we may need to use the services of a credit broker - we will advise you if this is applicable.

    3. Which service will we provide you with?

    We will provide you with information to assist with your funding decision on the following:

    • Credit agreements –hire purchase, lease purchase, finance lease, personal contract purchase, contract purchase, conditional sale, business contract hire and personal contract hire.
    • Non-regulated products: paint protection, Hippo Protect and comprehensive mechanical breakdown.

    4.  What will you have to pay us for our services?

    Our Information Notice will outline any fees that are owed to us in relation to the preparation, arrangement, or services provided through us prior to signing your agreement. Lenders typically pay us a commission for introducing you to them. Different lenders may pay different commissions for such introductions.

    • Finance products (for example, hire purchase, personal contract purchase or conditional sale) are usually calculated by reference to the vehicle model, product or amount you borrow. Any such amounts lenders pay us will not affect the amounts you pay under your finance agreement, all of which are set by the lender concerned.
    • The commission we receive for hire products (for example, personal contract hire, business contract hire, etc.) may be pre-set but can vary and may impact the amount payable by you.
    • We receive a commission as a proportion of the premium paid from our insurance provider if you decide to enter an agreement with them.

    Should you wish to understand the potential amount or the likely amount of commission payable by the lender, owner or third party in relation to the finance you are taking out, then this will be provided willingly and in line with the company’s commission disclosure policy. You can request this information either:

    • In writing: Hippo Motor Group, Trident Park, Trident Way, Blackburn, BB1 3NU
    • Via phone: 01254 919000
    • Via email – [email protected]

    The lender may charge its own fees, including, but not limited to, documentation fees, option-to-purchase fees, excess mileage charges and administration fees. This information will always be detailed in the quote that we provide to you.

    5.  Who regulates us?

    Hippo Vehicle Solutions Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for Consumer Credit activities, our Firm Reference Number (FRN) is 658076. Hippo Vehicle Solutions Ltd is a Credit Broker not a Lender. Our FCA permitted business is arranging finance products. You can check this on the FCA Register by visiting www.fca.org.uk

    6.  Additional support

    Please contact us if you would like to discuss how we could provide additional support during the process. For example, we have a multitude of different communication methods available to us and are more than happy to discuss this in more detail. We are also open to assisting you in other ways where we can. If you would like to know more, please contact us using the information below:

    7.  What to do if you have a complaint

    If you wish to register a complaint, please contact us:

    If you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service: www.financialombudsman.org.uk

    8.  Are we covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?

    We are covered by the FSCS. If we cannot meet our obligations, you may be entitled to compensation from the scheme. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. General insurance advising and arranging is covered for 90% of the claim with no upper limit. Compulsory forms of insurance (e.g. motor insurance) are covered for 100% of the claim with no upper limit.

    Please note - finance products are not covered by this scheme.