In the five years since the Financial Conduct Authority recognised the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s travel medical directory as a suitable signposting service it has helped more than 400,000 people with a medical condition explore their travel insurance options.

In 2021, the FCA introduced rules that require insurers, in certain situations, to point travel insurance customers towards a specialist provider. They have to do this if the policy they offer has an additional premium of £200 or more due to a customer’s medical condition, if the policy has an exclusion that cannot be removed or they cancel the policy because of a medical condition.

Graeme Trudgill, CEO 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.
Graeme Reynolds, director of competition and interim director of insurance at the FCA, added: “Finding travel insurance can be difficult for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Our rules help connect consumers with specialist providers by using a specialist directory to search for suitable cover. The success of BIBA’s travel medical directory over the last five years shows how important this support can be in helping people find the insurance they need.”

Earlier this year, BIBA and the Association of British Insurers launched an industry-wide total signposting commitment, covering personal lines policies across all sales channels.