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Cookie Policy

We recognise that your privacy is important. This policy explains exactly which cookies smart-cover.co.uk uses, why we use them, how long they last, and how you can manage or disable them - all in plain English.

In Short

Smart Cover uses cookies on smart-cover.co.uk to personalise your experience, maintain security, and improve the website. Cookies fall into six categories: necessary (always active - required for the site to function), functional, performance, analytics (including Google Analytics), advertisement, and others. Non-essential cookies require your consent under UK GDPR and PECR. You can manage your preferences via the cookie consent banner or your browser settings. Smart Cover also uses web beacons(tracking pixels) in association with cookies, including a Facebook Pixel.

1
Basics

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device - computer, smartphone, or tablet - when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, to personalise your experience, and to provide information to the website owner about how visitors use the site.

Cookies are identifiers transferred to your device through your web browser to enable the web server to recognise your browser on subsequent visits. For example, if you log in to your Smart Cover account or begin a quote, a cookie allows the website to remember your details so you don't have to re-enter them each time.

There are two main types of cookies by duration:

  • Session cookies - temporary cookies that exist only for the duration of your browsing session. They are deleted from your device when you close your browser.
  • Persistent cookies - cookies that remain on your device for a set period of time (ranging from days to years), or until you manually delete them, regardless of whether you close your browser.

Cookies can also be categorised by who sets them:

  • First-party cookies - set directly by smart-cover.co.uk (Smart-Cover Direct Limited) for core website functionality.
  • Third-party cookies - set by external services and partners integrated into the Smart Cover website, such as Google Analytics, AWIN affiliate tracking, and advertising platforms.
2
Purpose

How We Use Cookies on smart-cover.co.uk

Smart-Cover Direct Limited uses cookies on smart-cover.co.uk to help personalise your online experience and to ensure the website functions correctly. The purposes for which we use cookies include:

  • Essential functionality - maintaining your login session, keeping your quote basket intact, protecting forms from CSRF attacks, and remembering your cookie consent preferences.
  • Performance monitoring - understanding which pages are most visited, identifying technical issues, and measuring page load times to continuously improve the website.
  • Analytics and audience insights - using Google Analytics to understand how visitors navigate the site, which products attract the most interest, how long visitors stay on pages, and where traffic originates from.
  • Affiliate attribution - tracking referrals from affiliate partners via AWIN to correctly attribute commission and manage our affiliate marketing programme.
  • Advertising measurement - using the Facebook Pixel and advertising cookies to measure the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns and to serve relevant advertisements to people who have previously visited smart-cover.co.uk.
  • Security - CSRF tokens and session management cookies protect your account and form submissions from unauthorised access.
Your choice matters: Necessary cookies are placed without your consent because they are essential for the website to work. All other cookie categories are only activated when you click "Accept" or customise your preferences via the cookie settings panel on your first visit to smart-cover.co.uk.
3
Tracking Technologies

Web Beacons, Tracking Pixels & Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, smart-cover.co.uk uses web beacons (also known as web bugs, tracking pixels, or clear GIFs). A web beacon is a transparent image file - typically a 1×1 pixel GIF - embedded in web pages or emails to monitor how users interact with the content.

Web beacons may be used in association with cookies to understand how visitors interact with the pages and content on smart-cover.co.uk. They can tell us, for example, whether a page was viewed, whether an email was opened, and which links were clicked.

Smart Cover specifically uses a Facebook Pixel (Pixel ID: 1220271209419348) on smart-cover.co.uk. This pixel is a piece of JavaScript code that:

  • Tracks visits to pages on smart-cover.co.uk after interacting with a Facebook or Instagram advertisement
  • Enables Smart Cover to measure the effectiveness of Facebook advertising campaigns
  • Allows Smart Cover to show targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to people who have previously visited smart-cover.co.uk (known as retargeting or remarketing)
  • Enables Smart Cover to build "Custom Audiences" and "Lookalike Audiences" for advertising purposes
How to block web beacons: Privacy software and browser extensions can be used to block web beacons and tracking pixels. Disabling cookies associated with web beacons via your browser settings or the cookie consent panel will also prevent most tracking pixel functionality. Blocking web beacons should not prevent you from using the core features of smart-cover.co.uk.
4
Full Cookie List

Cookie Categories & Individual Cookies

Below is a full list of the cookie categories used on smart-cover.co.uk, including every individual cookie name, its duration, and what it does. Click each category to expand the full cookie table.

Necessary Cookies Always Active

Essential for the website to function - cannot be disabled

Necessary cookies are strictly required for the basic functionalities and security of smart-cover.co.uk. They enable core features such as login session management, security token validation, cookie consent recording, and affiliate tracking attribution. These cookies are placed on your device automatically - no consent is required because the website cannot function without them.

Cookie NameDurationDescription
laravel_sessionSessionMaintains the user's session state and core website functionality. Required for login, quote management, and secure page navigation.
XSRF-TOKENSessionProvides protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. Ensures that form submissions originate from the legitimate Smart Cover website.
_aw_j_*Up to 1 yearUsed by AWIN affiliate tracking to store referral and attribution information, enabling correct commission payment to affiliate partners who refer visitors to smart-cover.co.uk.
_aw_sn_*Up to 1 yearUsed by AWIN affiliate tracking to track affiliate referrals and commission attribution across browsing sessions.
sync_eventPersistent (Local Storage)Used to synchronise CSRF token updates across browser tabs. Ensures all open forms use the latest security token and prevents invalid or duplicate form submissions. Strictly necessary for website security.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Stores the user's consent decision for cookies in the "Analytics" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Records the user's consent decision for cookies in the "Functional" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Stores the user's consent decision for cookies in the "Other" category.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Records that the user has been shown the necessary cookies notice.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Stores the user's consent decision for cookies in the "Performance" category.
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Records whether the user has viewed and responded to the cookie consent notice. Does not store any personal data.

Functional cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by Smart Cover or by third-party providers whose services are integrated into the website, such as live chat or social media sharing features. Disabling these cookies may affect some website features but will not prevent you from using the site.

No specific functional cookies are currently listed in Smart Cover's cookie inventory. This category is maintained to provide transparency should functional cookies be introduced in future updates to smart-cover.co.uk.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance metrics of smart-cover.co.uk. The data collected helps Smart Cover deliver a better, faster, and more reliable user experience. These cookies do not collect personal data that could identify you.

Performance cookies help Smart Cover identify pages with slow load times, monitor server response, and understand which devices and browsers visitors use - enabling continuous improvement of the website.

Analytics cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with smart-cover.co.uk. They provide information on metrics including the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, pages visited, and time spent on each page. Smart Cover uses Google Analytics as its primary analytics platform.

Cookie NameDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsGoogle Analytics cookie. Used to distinguish unique users by assigning a randomly generated Client ID. Enables Smart Cover to calculate visitor, session, and campaign data for site analytics reports.
_ga_*2 yearsGoogle Analytics 4 (GA4) cookie. Used to persist session state and track page views, events, and user interactions across smart-cover.co.uk. The suffix (*) corresponds to the GA4 Measurement ID.
_gid24 hoursGoogle Analytics cookie. Used to distinguish users. Stores and updates a unique value for each page visited.
_gat1 minuteGoogle Analytics cookie. Used to throttle request rate - limits data collection on high-traffic sites to prevent server overload.
Google Analytics data: Analytics cookies collect your IP address (which Google anonymises by default), your approximate geographic location, the pages you visit, how long you stay on each page, and how you arrived at smart-cover.co.uk (e.g., from a search engine, social media, or direct navigation). This data is processed by Google LLC under a Data Processing Agreement with Smart-Cover Direct Limited. Learn more about how Google uses this data at policies.google.com/privacy.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant advertisements and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to build a profile of your interests, enabling Smart Cover to serve relevant ads on third-party platforms.

Cookie / TechnologyDurationDescription
Facebook Pixel (fr)3 monthsThe Facebook Pixel (ID: 1220271209419348) sets this cookie to deliver, measure, and improve the relevance of advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. Used for retargeting visitors who have previously visited smart-cover.co.uk.
_fbp3 monthsSet by Facebook to identify browsers for delivering advertising. Used by Facebook to track visits across websites that use the Facebook Pixel.
Google Ads (DSID)2 weeksSet by Google to target advertisements to users based on their browsing behaviour across websites that use Google advertising services.
Google Ads (IDE)13 monthsSet by Google DoubleClick. Used to record user actions after viewing or clicking on an advertiser's advertisement, to measure ad effectiveness and serve targeted display advertising.
Your advertising choices: You can opt out of personalised advertising from Google at adssettings.google.com and from Facebook at facebook.com/ads/preferences. You can also use the Your Online Choices tool to manage interest-based advertising preferences across multiple platforms.

Other uncategorised cookies are those that are being analysed and have not yet been classified into a specific category. These cookies may be set by Smart Cover or third-party services and are subject to the same consent requirements as non-essential cookies. This section is updated as cookies are identified and classified.

Smart Cover reviews its cookie inventory regularly. Any new or unclassified cookies identified during routine audits will be documented in this section until they can be formally categorised. If you have questions about any specific cookie, emailenquiries@smart-cover.co.uk.
5
Your Rights

How to Manage & Control Your Cookie Preferences

You have the right to accept, decline, or customise your cookie preferences on smart-cover.co.uk at any time. You have three ways to manage your cookies:

Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit smart-cover.co.uk, a cookie consent banner appears. Click "Accept" to enable all cookies, "Cookie Settings" to choose by category, or close the banner to accept only necessary cookies.

Browser Settings

You can configure your browser to block, delete, or warn you about cookies. Note that blocking all cookies may prevent some features of smart-cover.co.uk from working correctly.

Chrome → Firefox → Safari →

Privacy Software

Browser extensions and privacy software (such as uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger, or Ghostery) can block cookies, web beacons, and tracking pixels. This will prevent most non-essential tracking on smart-cover.co.uk.

OPT-OUT

To opt out of direct marketing communications from Smart Cover, visit our dedicatedOPT-OUT page or email enquiries@smart-cover.co.uk.

Important: If you choose to decline non-essential cookies, you may not be able to fully experience all interactive features of smart-cover.co.uk. Core functionality - including the quote tool, login, and the ability to purchase or manage a policy - will remain available, as these rely only on necessary cookies.

Smart Cover Cookie Consent Banner

This is how the Smart Cover cookie consent panel appears when you visit smart-cover.co.uk for the first time. You can accept all cookies, customise your preferences by category, or decline non-essential cookies.

Accept All Cookie Settings Reject Non-Essential
6
External Services

Third-Party Cookies & Services

Some cookies on smart-cover.co.uk are set by third-party services integrated into the website. Smart-Cover Direct Limited does not control these third-party cookies and their operation is governed by the privacy policies of the respective third parties. The main third-party cookie providers used on smart-cover.co.uk are:

  • Google LLC (Google Analytics & Google Ads) - analytics and advertising measurement. Google Privacy Policy
  • Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook Pixel) - advertising measurement and retargeting. Meta Privacy Policy
  • AWIN Ltd (Affiliate Tracking) - affiliate referral and commission attribution. AWIN Privacy Policy

Links from smart-cover.co.uk to third-party privacy policies are provided for your convenience. Smart-Cover Direct Limited is not responsible for the content or practices of third-party websites or services.

7
Legal Framework

Legal Basis Under UK GDPR & PECR

Smart Cover's use of cookies is governed by two UK laws:

Under PECR, Smart-Cover Direct Limited:

  • May place strictly necessary cookies without consent, as these are essential for the website to operate
  • Must obtain your informed, specific, and freely given consent before placing functional, performance, analytics, or advertising cookies on your device
  • Must provide clear and complete information about which cookies are used, why, and how long they last - as set out in this policy
  • Must make it as easy to withdraw consent as it was to give it

The legal basis for processing personal data collected via analytics and advertising cookies under UK GDPR is consent (Article 6(1)(a)). You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences via the consent banner or your browser settings.

Smart-Cover Direct Limited is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as a data controller under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. For further information about your data rights, visit ico.org.uk.
8
Updates

Changes to This Cookie Policy

Smart-Cover Direct Limited reserves the right to update, revise, or amend this Cookie Policy at any time as the website evolves, new cookies are introduced, or legal requirements change. The date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised.

Where changes are material - for example, the introduction of a new category of cookies or a new third-party service - we will, where reasonably practicable, bring these changes to your attention by displaying a notice on the website or by re-presenting the cookie consent banner for your renewed consent.

This Cookie Policy was last updated on 7 July 2026. Previous versions may be obtained by contacting enquiries@smart-cover.co.uk.
9
Get in Touch

Contact Us About Cookies or Privacy

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, how Smart Cover uses cookies, or how your personal data is processed, please contact us using the details below. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your data rights have been infringed.

Principal Place of Business
Smart-Cover Direct Limited
Citibase, 42–44 Clarendon Road
Watford, WD17 1JJ
Privacy / Cookie Enquiries enquiries@smart-cover.co.uk
Telephone 03333 449 559
Supervisory Authority (ICO) ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint

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Our commitment to preventing exploitation.

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OPT-OUT

Opt out of direct marketing from Smart Cover.

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Common Questions

Cookie Policy FAQs

Quick answers to the questions visitors most commonly ask about cookies on smart-cover.co.uk.

Smart Cover uses six categories of cookies: necessary (always active - laravel_session, XSRF-TOKEN, AWIN affiliate cookies, and GDPR consent cookies), functional, performance, analytics (Google Analytics - _ga, _ga_*, _gid), advertisement (Facebook Pixel, Google Ads), and others. Full details of each cookie are in Section 4 of this policy.
Yes. Smart Cover's use of cookies complies with the UK GDPR and PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations). Necessary cookies are placed without consent as they are strictly required. All other cookie categories require your informed consent, obtained via the cookie banner when you first visit smart-cover.co.uk.
You can manage cookies in three ways: (1) Use the cookie consent banner on your first visit to accept or decline non-essential cookies; (2) Change your browser settings - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all allow you to block or delete cookies; (3) Use privacy software or browser extensions to block tracking. Note that disabling cookies may affect some website features.
A web beacon is a transparent 1×1 pixel image embedded in a web page or email to monitor visitor behaviour. Smart Cover uses web beacons in association with cookies - including the Facebook Pixel (ID: 1220271209419348)for advertising measurement and retargeting. Privacy software can block web beacons. Disabling advertising cookies via the consent banner will also prevent Facebook Pixel tracking.
Cookie durations vary: session cookies (laravel_session, XSRF-TOKEN) expire when you close your browser. GDPR consent cookies (cookielawinfo-*) last 11 months. AWIN affiliate cookies last up to 1 year. Google Analytics cookies (_ga, _ga_*) last up to 2 years. Facebook Pixel cookies last 3 months. The sync_event cookie persists in local storage until manually cleared.
Yes. Smart Cover uses Google Analytics on smart-cover.co.uk. Google Analytics collects data on visitor numbers, page views, traffic sources, time on page, and approximate geographic location. This data is used to improve the website. Google Analytics cookies are non-essential and require your consent. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.