BIBA Response: FCA's Review of Travel Insurance Signposting

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

LONDON, England, April 12 -- The British Insurance Brokers' Association issued the following news release:

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has welcomed the FCA's Post Implementation Review of Travel Insurance Signposting which covers the requirements introduced in April 2021 to help consumers with serious pre-existing medical conditions (PEMCs) better navigate the travel insurance market. Its introduction meant that in some circumstances, consumers have to be signposted to a recognised directory of specialist firms, one of which is BIBA's online Travel Medical Directory which his part of its wider Find Insurance Service.

The review confirms that signposting services are delivering good outcomes for consumers.

BIBA which has long advocated for total signposting as a solution to help customers to find suitable insurance, believes signposting is making a positive impact. Graeme Trudgill, BIBA's Chief Executive, commented: "We have seen from the increasing enquiries to our service and from the feedback received that signposting helps consumers, and it's encouraging that the FCA's findings support this. Signposting is a win win solution, it helps by connecting consumers to specialist providers and brokers, and it helps the industry's reputation. Specialist cover is often available for people with non-standard insurance needs, but they don't know where to go. Signposting to our Travel Medical Directory, or to the wider BIBA Find Insurance Service, is a simple solution enabling firms to fulfil their regulatory obligation."

Within the review, the FCA has outlined that it will consult on the pound sterling100 additional premium trigger. David Sparkes, BIBA's Regulation Director, added: "This is a sensible step that we have called for following members' feedback that the current level is too low tiggering a larger number of cases than was intended. Reviewing the level will ensure that as many consumers with serious PEMCs as possible are signposted to specialist directories to enable them to access the best outcomes for their needs."

Since the launch of BIBA's Travel Medical Directory, which vets specialist providers, more than 184,000 enquiries have been made and those enquires continue to increase. There are a number of other voluntary signposting agreements in place with Government and the industry relating to older travellers and motorists, the Flood Insurance Directory and an agreement on protection insurance for those with a medical condition or disability. BIBA's Travel Medical Directory can be reached at https://biba.org.uk/travel-medical-directory. While not a part of the travel medical directory, if a customer would rather speak to someone than access a website, BIBA's Find Insurance Service operates a contact centre (0370 950 1790) that is able to take their call.