The British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s has formed a multi-sector Access to Insurance Committee to drive progress in this important area. The AIC's main aim is to help consumers access different types of insurance where they face challenges due to age, medical conditions or disability or because of prevailing conditions.

Chaired by Caroline Barr, formerly a member of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, the independent statutory body set up to represent the interests of consumers, the AIC also includes BIBA executive-director, Graeme Trudgill, Johnny Timpson and representatives from insurers, brokers, charities, and other stakeholders.

The last 24 months have seen a real focus on helping consumers access suitable insurance protection, and is the theme of BIBA's own 2020 manifesto. It's not a new theme for the association, though. BIBA has championed access, and in particular, signposting, since 2012.

“The group we formed as part of the signposting workstream in the Access to Insurance Steering Group led by Johnny Timpson was highly productive and, as its work completed, we agreed we should harness the determination and ambition of the group to drive forward wider access to insurance," Trudgill said. "BIBA was delighted to be able to facilitate this.”

Barr added: “We have a fabulous opportunity to re-present insurance as a force for good, by collaborating to help consumers. Signposting means that firms can point a customer to assistance even where they themselves cannot find cover for them. What we need is more awareness of signposting and more collaboration. This can be a game-changer for many facing difficulty and is why I was delighted to be asked to chair AIC.”

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