BIBA Travel Medical Directory passes 400,000 enquiries milestone

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) says its Travel Medical Directory has helped more than 400,000 consumers find specialist travel insurance since being recognised by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an approved signposting service five years ago.

The directory, designed to connect people with serious pre-existing medical conditions to specialist insurance providers, has seen demand grow steadily. Enquiries over the past year were almost four times higher than in its first year of operation.

The FCA’s signposting rules, introduced in April 2021, require insurers to direct consumers to a specialist directory if they decline cover due to a medical condition, charge an additional premium of £200 or more, apply an unremovable medical exclusion, or cancel a policy because of a medical condition.

Graeme Trudgill, Chief Executive of BIBA, said: “Reaching more than 400,000 enquiries in just five years demonstrates the real difference the Travel Medical Directory is making to consumers who may otherwise struggle to find suitable cover.

“Travel insurance plays a vital role in providing peace of mind when people travel, particularly for those with serious medical conditions. We are proud that the directory, and our specialist insurance brokers, continue to support consumers and help them access the cover they need.”

The milestone follows the launch in January of BIBA and the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) voluntary Total Signposting Commitment, which aims to make it easier for consumers unable to obtain cover from one insurer to be referred to specialist providers or BIBA’s Find Insurance Service, supporting the UK government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.