The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) announced that 41,330 people with pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities have accessed specialist protection insurance through its Find Insurance Service since the industry signposting agreement launched in January 2020.
The service, which marked its five-year anniversary, helps customers secure life insurance, critical illness and income protection coverage by directing them to vetted specialists. The voluntary agreement requires providers to explain why cover isn't available and guide customers toward alternative solutions.
Underscoring how important it is to help customers access the insurance they, CEO Graeme Trudgill shared how the team has been actively involved since the onset of the agreement.
"Signposting helps customers and it has really made a difference to those looking for protection insurance who have a medical condition or disability. In fact, the wider number of people helped is likely to be much higher as these figures only represent the customers who come to BIBA for help, and not those who are signposted directly to a specialist broker or provider,” Trudgill furthered.
The agreement, renewed in 2023 for three years, now includes 39 signatories spanning industry bodies, insurers, brokers, and charities. This was established in response to findings that consumers with pre-existing conditions faced difficulties navigating the life and protection insurance market.
Zurich's market engagement head and the industry's disability and access ambassador Peter Hamilton noted how this signposting agreement is an example of industry leaders collaborating to make access to insurance easier for those with more complex medical histories.
“There's more to do – we want to grow the number of charities signposting to BIBA for example – but the number of customers visiting the site and seeking cover over the last 5 years is evidence of a very real need that the industry is well placed to meet,” Hamilton added.
In its 2025 Manifesto, BIBA advocates for broader adoption of total signposting across all insurance lines.
The organisation manages the industry's Access to Insurance Committee, overseeing agreements for travel and motor insurance for older customers, travel insurance for those with medical conditions, and flood insurance directory signposting.
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