Pensions - Articles - BIBA supports introduction of new signposting system

 The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has given its support to the Government's signposting proposals, which it believes will maximise the likelihood of older customers finding insurance, in its response to a Government Equalities Office consultation paper.

  

 The consultation outlines the Government's intention to end age discrimination in the provision of goods and services and to encourage action to improve access to insurance products. It outlines signposting, a system where individuals receive helpful guidance that directs them to a suitable insurance provider if they are refused insurance based on their age, as an initiative to achieve this.

  

 Insurance is widely available from insurance brokers for all ages and improving access to financial services particularly for young and older drivers, and older travellers seeking insurance is important and signposting is the most effective way to achieve this.

  

 The signpost system would be either an organisation who the seller knows can help the customer, or to a ‘catch all' dedicated signposting centre like BIBA's Find a Broker service.

 Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Head of Corporate Affairs, said: "Many customers experience difficulty obtaining insurance because they do not know where to find it if they have been rejected from a particular provider such as their bank or a comparison site, because not all providers cover all age groups."
 
 "BIBA already operates a successful, established signposting service via our Find a Broker call centre and website, helping more than 1,000 people every working day access cover. This system matches the principles discussed by the HM Treasury Signposting Steering Committee".

 Approximately 34% of all the enquiries received by BIBA's Find a Broker service are age related.