The British Insurance Brokers Association has launched a voluntary signposting agreement to help people with disabilities or medical conditions access protection insurance. The announcement was made as the association unveiled its 2020 manifesto, titled 'Access'.

The 26 signatories to the agreement comprise both regulated insurance providers and supporting bodies. The latter will encourage support of the ethos of the agreement and promote its benefits, while the providers will signpost customers that they cannot help because of their medical condition or disability towards a firm that can help.

BIBA executive director, Graeme Trudgill said: “BIBA is ideally positioned to help those with medical conditions find their way to a specialist provider to help them access the cover they need, and we committed in our manifesto to launch a signposting agreement.

“This is the culmination of a year of discussion and collaboration across different stakeholders; all with a strong desire to help those most in need,” he added. “The fact that we have been able to launch this signposting system today will make a difference to thousands of people that may previously have thought protection insurance was out of their reach”.

Insurance disability champion, Johnny Timpson said: “This is absolutely the right thing to do and will not only make a positive impact on many lives but will raise levels of trust in the insurance sector.

“Now the work has started to educate those in the sector and its customers on the existence of the agreement and to get as many firms as possible on-board,” he added.

Managing director of Cura Financial Services and chair of the Protection Distributors Group, Alan Knowles concluded: “Specialised firms have the experience and expertise as well as the appetite to find solutions for those people who, because of a medical condition or disability can find obtaining suitable protection insurance a challenge. The launch of this agreement is great for customers and the insurance industry alike.”

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