The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has welcomed the new consultation paper from the Government Equalities Office (GEO), entitled Equality Act 2010: Ending age discrimination in services, public functions and associations.
The paper (section 1.18) outlines proposals where the Government intends to encourage action to improve access to insurance products so that if a provider is unable to provide assistance to a person because of their age, it will be obliged to refer that person to a provider who can meet their needs or a dedicated signposting service.
Signposting will greatly benefit consumers who are excluded from the highly commoditised and web based insurance offerings because they do not fit the standard risk model on age.
Currently when these consumers are refused cover they are left to continue their search alone. The signposting system will be of particular help with motor and travel insurance as these are the areas identified where some people have difficulty finding insurance protection.
BIBA has been calling for greater assistance for consumers and is delighted that signposting is being supported in the consultation paper. BIBA has an established and successful helpline and website that already assists consumers to find insurance through a BIBA broker.
Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “There is a solution through insurance brokers who can arrange insurance cover on the more complex risks. Signposting will help consumers to find the protection they need, otherwise they run the risk of travelling uninsured. BIBA will continue to work with the Government and will respond to the consultation in full in due course.”
The BIBA Find a Broker helpline and website is well established and already helps more than 1,000 people a day who have been signposted from a range of sources. It also can help consumers unable to find insurance protection on a very wide range of specialist risks.
Source : BIBA press Release
