Privacy policy

What we collect

To prepare your appraisal we collect what you give us in the order process: your name, email address and phone number; your vehicle's details (year, make, model, trim, VIN, odometer reading and condition information); your purchase details; photos of the vehicle; and any documents you choose to add, such as repair quotes. A mailing address is requested but optional.

If you use the free estimator, the figures you enter are used to show your estimate. The estimator does not require an email address.

If you email yourself an estimate, ask a question, or join the partner program, we collect the contact details you provide for that purpose.

Payments

Payments are processed by Stripe. Your card details go directly to Stripe and are never stored on our servers. We receive confirmation of payment and the basic order details needed to deliver your appraisal and issue any refund under our guarantee.

How we use your information

We use your information to prepare and deliver your signed FIN 320 appraisal, to communicate with you about your order, to process payments and refunds, and to provide the optional refund-application preparation service if you choose it.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your order details for advertising.

Transactional messages about your order (for example, a link to resume an incomplete order) are part of providing the service and are not marketing consent.

Where your information is stored

Order records are stored with our database provider (Supabase). Vehicle photos and order documents are stored in a private, per-order folder on our document storage (Google Drive), accessible only to the people preparing your appraisal. Emails are sent through our email provider (Resend).

These providers may store data outside Canada. We choose providers with strong security practices, and we limit what each one receives to what it needs.

Analytics

We use Lucky Orange to understand how visitors use the site (for example, which steps of the estimator people complete) so we can improve it. Our own event tracking sends event names only — never names, emails, phone numbers, VINs, or photo contents. Lucky Orange may use cookies or similar technologies; you can block them with standard browser tools without affecting your ability to order.

How long we keep information

We keep completed order records, including the issued appraisal, for as long as needed to support you (for example, a guarantee claim or a question from your broker or the Ministry) and to meet legal and tax record-keeping obligations. Incomplete draft orders are kept briefly so you can resume, then removed.

Your rights

You can ask us what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete what we are not legally required to keep. British Columbia's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) governs how private businesses in BC handle personal information, and we take those obligations seriously.

To make any of these requests, email us at the address below. We respond to every request.

Contact

Questions about privacy, or any request about your information: info@bccartaxappraisals.com.