The travel medical insurance directory of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has been given the thumbs up by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

“This directory meets our criteria for a medical cover firm directory,” said the FCA in an update. “This means there are now two directories that meet our criteria: the Money and Pensions Service – confirmed on October 08, 2020; BIBA – confirmed on January 27, 2021.”

The development comes ahead of the April 26 implementation of the watchdog’s requirement for travel insurance providers to, under certain circumstances, signpost customers with more serious medical conditions to a travel medical firm directory that meets the criteria of the FCA.

This applies to instances when a provider declines, or otherwise does not offer, a quotation or cancels a consumer’s policy due wholly or partly to a medical condition, offers a policy with a medical condition exclusion which cannot be removed, offers a policy with a medical condition premium of at least £100, or offers a policy in respect of which the medical condition premium is not known.

Read more: FCA announces new requirements – insurance industry reacts

Happy to make the announcement was BIBA executive director Graeme Trudgill (pictured), who said in a release: “We have a simple solution for the industry that helps them to easily fulfil their new regulatory obligation and helps consumers to better find the essential specialist travel insurance that they need.

“We are delighted to have met the FCA criteria for a medical cover firm directory and to be part of the solution. We have worked closely with the FCA throughout the process and we look forward to the times when consumers can safely travel again.”

The trade body offered assurances that it will do all it can to help travellers find the coverage they need. BIBA’s travel medical directory can be accessed at biba.org.uk/travel-medical-directory.