As a publicly traded company, we have a duty to protect Assurant assets, systems, records, information, interests, and brand to maintain the trust our shareholders have placed in us and keep our company strong and thriving.
Protecting Intellectual Property
Innovative ideas and solutions are a central factor in Assurant’s success. We respect and protect the copyrights, patents, trademarks, confidential information, and intellectual property of Assurant, as well as those of our clients, business partners, competitors, suppliers, and customers, consistent with contractual terms and regulatory and legal requirements.
Our Responsibilities:
- We only use our intellectual property for legitimate Assurant business purposes, never for personal gain, personal use, or nonbusiness purposes.
- We only use or share Assurant’s intellectual property with people outside Assurant when proper controls are in place.
- We ensure we have the appropriate rights and permissions before using third-party materials.
- We protect Assurant’s brand and logo and use them with the relevant policies and guidelines in mind, including the Global Intellectual Property Policy.
Q&A
What does it mean to respect the intellectual property rights of others?
Assurant won’t unlawfully use intellectual property that it doesn’t own in any of its products, services, or advertising. We will adhere to Assurant contractual and ethical obligations when working with others and materials not owned by Assurant.
Records and Information Management
We each have the responsibility to properly manage and preserve Assurant records in accordance with the Records and Information Management Policy and the Global Records Retention Schedule.
Our Responsibilities:
- Maintain the integrity and authenticity of all records.
- Keep records for the appropriate amount of time (the retention period).
- Safeguard records in such a way that they’re not damaged or destroyed and are preserved if subject to a legal hold.
- Keep records so that you can find and access them for the full retention period.
- Dispose of records promptly and in an appropriate manner once the retention period has expired.
- For additional information and guidance, please reach out to the records and information management office at rim.office@assurant.com.
Company records include:
- Customer or client information
- Sales information
- Payroll
- Contracts
- Travel and expense reports
- Project files
- Accounting and financial data
- Measurement and performance records
- Policies
- All other records maintained in the ordinary course of our business
Protecting Confidential Information
Customers, suppliers, and companies with whom we do business trust us to be good stewards of their confidential information, whether that information relates to financial, personal, or business matters. We respect and protect this data with care and diligence.
Our Responsibilities:
- We handle our confidential information with care and avoid discussions in public places or with others who don’t need to know.
- We maintain confidentiality even if we stop working for Assurant and return confidential information before leaving.
- We respect the confidentiality of our business partners, customers, suppliers, and former employers and don’t use their information without prior approval. We understand that nothing in the Code prevents us from reporting possible legal or regulatory violations to relevant government officials.
We don’t place, accept, or otherwise participate in any bet, wager, or prediction market transaction that’s based on or derives value from confidential information related to Assurant or any other company learned through your employment with Assurant (such as a client or supplier of Assurant or a company that’s negotiating a major transaction with Assurant).
Don’t disclose any confidential information of a prior employer unless it’s already been made public through no action of your own.
Before Disclosing Confidential Information:
- Be sure you're permitted to do so under applicable law, regulations, and company policies and procedures.
- Disclose it only to those who are authorized to receive it and who need to know it to do their job.
- Limit the amount of information shared to what's required to achieve the stated business purpose.
- Obtain an Assurant-approved Confidentiality Agreement, Nondisclosure Agreement, or other agreement with appropriate company-approved privacy clauses (if required) when sharing it with someone outside Assurant.
- Make sure the recipient knows that the information is confidential, and any restrictions related to its use or dissemination. If the information is received or shared in consultation with Assurant's legal representatives, seek guidance from Legal before sharing with others.
Q&A
Is it acceptable to send confidential information to a personal email address, including your own, for work purposes?
No, it’s not acceptable to send confidential company information to a personal email address (or unapproved messaging service). All company-related information must be handled through approved and secure communication channels to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the data.
Confidential information comes in what forms?
It can be written, verbal, telephonic, or electronic. Confidential information may pertain to our company itself or to the customers, suppliers, or companies with whom we do business.
How do you know what information is confidential information?
A best practice is to assume that all information about our company and its business (including information concerning past, present, and prospective customers, business partners, suppliers, directors, and employees) is confidential unless the contrary is clear.
I have access to useful, confidential information from a prior employer. Can I use it at Assurant?
No. Sharing confidential information from a former employer is unethical and can also expose you and Assurant to legal liabilities.
Information Technology and Cybersecurity
We’re responsible stewards of Assurant’s technology resources. Our information technology is critical to our operations and allows us to work more effectively to meet our business objectives. These resources belong to Assurant, and we use them responsibly and securely to protect against cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
Our Responsibilities:
- We only use Assurant-authorized hardware, software, and other IT services.
- We protect and secure the data on our laptops and other devices when traveling on business or working remotely.
- We exercise good judgment when using company-provided technology resources and prevent unauthorized access to Assurant information.
- We don’t use Assurant resources to engage in inappropriate communications or access sites that are offensive, illegal, or obscene.
- We follow the guidelines in the Acceptable Use and Information Security policies including reporting security incidents promptly.
Q&A
I received an email from an unknown sender on my Assurant email account and, while using my company-issued computer, I may have clicked on a file that was attached to the message. I don’t think the file was downloaded, and I have since deleted it. Is there anything else I should do?
Yes. Immediately report the incident to the Assurant Information Security Team as the laptop and the network may be compromised. Use the “Manage Unwanted” function in Outlook to notify the Assurant Information Security Team.
Safeguarding Our Assets
Whether it’s financial, records and information, technology, or physical property, our assets are a valuable aspect of delivering on our promises to our customers. We each have the responsibility to safeguard them against fraud, theft, loss and abuse.
Our Responsibilities:
- We honestly and accurately document and report financial transactions, consistent with internal controls, applicable laws, regulations, and accounting practices.
- We protect Assurant resources from fraud, waste, and abuse as well as report any suspect activities immediately.
- We protect company assets (e.g., Assurant-owned computer, corporate credit card) from misuse, loss, damage, cybersecurity threats, or theft.
- We’re committed to maintaining accurate company records and accounts. Review the Records and Information Management policies for additional information.
- We follow the Raising and Reporting Concerns Policy and immediately report any suspected fraud or embezzlement, or any form of dishonesty by an employee, client, customer, and/or other third party.
Artificial Intelligence
Assurant is committed to technological innovation that improves the lives of our clients, customers, employees and other stakeholders. We believe that the responsible and ethical use of AI has the potential to favorably revolutionize the way we live and work, and we’re committed to earning and maintaining the trust of all stakeholders through the use and delivery of ethical AI solutions.
Our Responsibilities:
- We’re committed to AI solutions that don’t perpetuate discrimination or biases and inequalities, and that are equitable for all individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, or other protected categories.
- We’re committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations, contractual commitments, and company policies governing intellectual property rights and the collection, use, and storage of personal data and confidential and proprietary information in our AI Solutions.
- We’re committed to providing clear explanations of how our AI systems work and disclosing their use, as required by law and as otherwise appropriate while respecting confidentiality obligations and our intellectual property and data security interests and those of third parties. We won’t tolerate any use of AI technologies for malicious purposes, misinformation, or propaganda.
- We’ll hold ourselves accountable for our actions and decisions as to our use of AI technologies, including verifying results where needed and rectification of harmful impacts or unintended consequences as appropriate. We’ll consider the insights of relevant personnel, technical disciplines, and business units in the administration of AI technologies and the oversight of the same.
Insider Trading and Regulation Fair Disclosure
We recognize that, through the course of our work, we may become aware of material, nonpublic information about Assurant or another company with whom we do business. We maintain trust with our investors and the public by complying with Assurant’s Insider Trading Policy and securities laws, including insider trading laws, which means we don’t trade in the securities of Assurant or another company if we’re aware of material, nonpublic information about Assurant or learn of such information about other companies through our employment at Assurant. We also comply with Assurant’s Regulation FD Policy, which means we don’t make any disclosure of material, nonpublic information about Assurant to any person outside of Assurant, unless such disclosure is specifically authorized.
We guard this sensitive data and don’t use it for financial or other benefit. We strictly forbid the sharing of this information. Refer to the company's Insider Trading Policy for more information.
Our Responsibilities:
- We follow our Insider Trading policy and laws, including applicable preclearance procedures and blackout period restrictions as applicable.
- We never buy or sell stocks, or “tip” others, based on material, nonpublic information (inside information) about Assurant or other companies learned through the course of our work with Assurant.
- We protect the confidentiality of Assurant’s nonpublic information and only share with other Assurant employees on a need-to-know basis.
We follow our Regulation FD Policy and we don’t share material, nonpublic information outside Assurant unless it’s specifically authorized.
- Any employee, officer, director, consultant, or other independent contractor of Assurant who violates insider trading laws or our Insider Trading Policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination, and may also be subject to criminal, civil, or other penalties.
Before engaging in any transaction that could be deemed insider trading, you should carefully consider how enforcement authorities and others might view the transaction. If you have any questions related to securities trading, consult with a Securities Officer identified in the company’s Insider Trading Policy before undertaking the transaction.
Q&A
How do I know whether I’m aware of material, nonpublic information about our company?
Information is material if it’s important to an investor making a decision about buying or selling Assurant’s stock. This information may include financial results, major business acquisitions or sales, major government investigations, changes in significant customers and major product launches. If you’re unsure whether you have material, nonpublic information, refrain from trading, and consult your manager or a Securities Officer identified in the company's Insider Trading Policy.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
We’re each responsible for objective and unbiased decision-making in our work on behalf of Assurant. A conflict of interest can arise when our personal interest interferes, could interfere, or appears to interfere with the interests of Assurant and may make it difficult to perform our work objectively and effectively or result in an improper personal benefit.
Disclose a Potential Conflict >
Our Responsibilities:
- We avoid actions and decisions that create, or even appear to create, a conflict of interest with Assurant.
- We never use our position at Assurant for improper personal gain.
- We don’t improperly use Assurant resources or influence because even the perception of a conflict of interest may have negative consequences.
- When potential conflicts of interest arise, we disclose them promptly through the Conflict of Interest Disclosure process. Assurant may, at its discretion, grant an exception and approve the conflict where appropriate safeguards are in place, in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy.
- We consult the Conflict of Interest Policy for additional guidance.
Potential Conflict of Interest Situations to Disclose
- Working with a relative at Assurant
- Having a relative work for an Assurant vendor or client
- Working with, or for, a competitor of Assurant
- Having outside employment that competes with Assurant
- Working or consulting outside Assurant
- Owning a substantial financial interest in an Assurant vendor or client
- Dating or having a romantic relationship with a supervisor or subordinate
- Serving on a board or trade association
See the Conflict of Interest policy for more information.
Q&A
I would like to work a secondary job some evenings and weekends. Since it’s unrelated to my work at Assurant, do I have to disclose it?
Before starting a second job, you should inform your manager to help ensure the secondary job won’t interfere with your role or the interests of Assurant. If you decide to move forward with the secondary job, you must submit a disclosure to the Assurant Ethics Office and obtain approval prior to starting. The second job must not interfere in any way with your job performance at Assurant, or be with an Assurant competitor (other restrictions may apply). For additional information and guidance, please review the Conflict of Interest Policy or contact the Ethics Office at ethics@assurant.com.
I’ve been asked to serve on the board of a local nonprofit organization. Do I need to report this?
Prior to agreeing to serve on the board of directors of an organization (other than an Assurant-owned company), discuss it with your manager. If you decide to move forward with serving on the board, seek approval by the Ethics Office, via the disclosure process, to understand expectations that may come with serving in such capacity and to determine if that service will create any actual or perceived conflict of interest or interfere with your job duties.
My team is hiring and I’ve been asked to interview the candidates. One of the candidates is related to me. Should I tell my manager or the recruiter?
Yes. You must disclose your relationship with the candidate to your manager and recuse yourself from the hiring process, which helps ensure fairness and neutrality. To help maintain and promote a professional and fair working environment, Assurant doesn’t allow immediate family members to be in a reporting line with other employees (or nonemployees, such as contingent workers or contractors), to avoid the appearance of a conflict, nepotism, or favoritism, unless approved in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy.
Gifts, Entertainment, and Hospitality
We’re committed to winning business on the quality of our products and service. Business courtesies, which include anything of value, such as gifts, meals, or entertainment, can strengthen working relationships with our business partners. But gifts, meals, or trips that are extravagant or lack transparency or a legitimate purpose may be viewed as bribes or as simply inappropriate and erode trust and harm our business.
Our Responsibilities:
- We don’t give or ask for business courtesies to influence the other person or organization to do something in return.
- We limit giving or receiving business courtesies to what is reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances and avoid frequent gifts to or from the same person or organization.
- We obtain approval and follow the Gifts, Entertainment, and Hospitality Disclosure process as required.
- We don’t offer, promise, make, or authorize the giving or receiving of anything of value to/from a government official (including employees of state owned/controlled companies) that’s inconsistent with our Code and Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy and only after prior written regional Compliance approval.
- If we make charitable donations on behalf of Assurant, we do so in accordance with Assurant policy to support legitimate charitable causes. Requests for donations to be funded by the Assurant Foundation should be submitted here.
- See the Assurant Cares portal on Connect for additional information on employee volunteering, donations, and matching gifts. The Assurant Foundation matches employee donations to charities. Click here for specific guidelines.
- Prohibited or unwanted business courtesies may be donated to the Assurant Foundation by contacting assurantcares@assurant.com.
- Gifts given or received must be disclosed and approved prior to giving or accepting, per the Gifts, Entertainment, and Hospitality policy.
- Subject to local restrictions, it’s permissible to give and receive retail, food establishment, or similar reputable business gift cards (including e-gift cards or gift certificates) valued at $25 or less per recipient. Under no circumstance may we accept or offer gifts of cash or cash equivalents such as general-purpose gift cards (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, American Express) from or to anyone who does or may seek to do business with Assurant.
Gift Policy:
In your capacity as an employee, officer, or director, you may accept a non-cash gift, including a meal or entertainment, that:
- Is reasonable in value
- Is a part of the normal business process
- Is lawful
- Is given or accepted infrequently
- Cannot be construed as a bride or payoff, or as an attempt to influence you
- Reflects good taste and judgment
Please see the Anti-Bribery and Corruption and Gifts, Entertainment, and Hospitality policies for additional information. Please contact assurantcares@assurant.com for information on how to donate a gift to the Assurant Foundation.
Social Media and Communicating Externally
Social media is an integral part of our lives and a valuable tool to connect with others internally (Connect, Engage, etc.) or externally (Facebook, X, etc.) and should be used in accordance with the Social Media Policy and the Media and External Communication Policy. Further, our communications externally influence how Assurant is perceived in the markets and regions where we operate and by the consumers and communities we serve. We provide clear and accurate information and are careful not to disclose confidential information.
Our Responsibilities:
- We embrace the open exchange of ideas, discussion, learning, and collaboration, and do it respectfully and in line with Assurant values and policies.
- We’re each responsible and accountable for how we engage with social media.
- We don’t speak for Assurant on social media unless authorized to do so, and we clearly state when we’re sharing our personal views.
- We never disclose Assurant's confidential or proprietary information, and we comply with our Social Media policy for employees.
- We communicate with regulators in an open, transparent, and proactive way.
- We comply with the Media and External Communications Policy, referring media contacts to the Assurant Communications team, and investor and analyst contacts to Investor Relations.
- Assurant employees, officers, and directors who engage in social media on behalf of the company in an official capacity are required to also comply with the Assurant Social Media Guidelines, Assurant Brand Guidelines and additional processes and practices.
If you’re unsure of how these policies may apply to your social media activities contact the Social Business team: social@assurant.com
Q&A
I enjoy using social media like X and Facebook to communicate about Assurant and my job. Does Assurant have rules regarding this?
A general rule to remember when using social media is to think about the impact of statements that you make. Keep in mind that these transmissions are permanent and easily transferrable, and can affect our company’s reputation and relationships with coworkers and customers. When using social media, don’t make comments on behalf of Assurant without proper authorization. Also, you must not disclose Assurant’s confidential or proprietary information about our business, suppliers, or customers.