Context
The FCA has confirmed that the travel insurance directory launched by BIBA for people with serious Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMCs) meets its criteria for a Medical Cover Firm Directory.
Key points to note
- All firms offering retail travel insurance must include details of at least one of the confirmed directories on their websites, in accordance with the timing requirements in ICOBS 6A.4.3R.
- ICOBS 6A.4.3R states that a firm must include the details of a Medical Cover Firm Directory on the page of the website where travel insurance policies are marketed.
- The information provided must:
- Be prominent, clear, and accurate;
- Include the contact details of the medical cover directory firm including its telephone number and a link to its website.
- The information requirements in 3. above must be met within 30 calendar days from the date on which a firm becomes aware (or ought reasonably to have been aware) of a publicly available directory which meets the requirements of a Medical Cover Firm Directory.
- This is to help make sure consumers have access to the directories before the signposting requirement is introduced on 26 April 2021.
- The confirmed directories are as follows:
- The Money and Pensions Service https://traveldirectory.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en
- Consumer enquiries about the BIBA directory can be made to BIBA’s call centre on 0370 950 1790, which is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm.
- Firms which want to be included on the directory, whether or not they are a member of BIBA, can contact BIBA’s Find Insurance Service Manager, Kirsty Fell, at fellk@biba.org.uk or 07920 577699.
Next actions
From 26th April 2021, firms must signpost certain customers with PEMCs to a Medical Cover Firm Directory, as set out in Policy Statement PS20/3.