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Manifesto; means to publish a declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of the issuer that promotes a new idea with prescriptive notions for carrying out changes the author believes should be made that is often political or artistic in nature.
BIBA's 2020 Manifesto is of course ‘artistic in nature’ but what is more eye-catching for members is what is inside. There are 37 commitments and 29 calls for action in the biggest ever declaration of intentions made on behalf of our members. Over nine chapters: Access, Ethical and sustainable trading policy, Brexit, Broking challenges, Tax, Regulation, Innovation, Skills, and Transport.
The theme is ‘Access’. Whether it is access to European clients after Brexit, access to markets for insurance risks that are difficult to place (such as professional indemnity insurance for construction trades and professions), access to insurance challenges for vulnerable customers, or those with medical conditions or disabilities, there seem to be more issues around access than ever before.
There are a lot of new campaigning issues which members have asked us to work on this year. These include open insurance, easier to understand policy wordings, household terrorism cover, a new sustainability toolkit, green repair, parametric insurance, micromobility, taxation, adjustable policies, skills, and more running alongside our commitments on mental wellbeing, diversity & inclusion.
We will of course be pushing the major topics of IPT and we also reveal new research from London Economics on the cost of regulation. This shows that one in every four full time equivalent staff in a small brokerage are employed to attend to regulatory requirements. What an enormous burden that is on small firms and we will do our best to encourage the four ministers quoted in our Manifesto to act on their comments and look to ease the burden of regulation with a system that is more proportionate.
We always enjoy our pre-Manifesto interactions with members, the feedback from which forms the Manifesto. In 2019 members gave us many examples where more guidance would be useful, so that is right at the centre of our priorities for 2020. Look out for guides on lenders’ interest letters, product recall insurance, declinatures, claims history waivers, trade credit insurance, succession planning, business interruption insurance and cyber insurance for SMEs.
It is always a privilege to launch the Manifesto in the Houses of Parliament and I am grateful to the City Minister John Glen MP for his supportive address. I am also grateful for the 32 supporting voices inside, including the CBI, FCA, ABI, CII, Ageas, Allianz, Aviva, AXA, The AA, Zurich, BIPAR, Lloyd’s of London and the FCO.
At the launch members were able to meet the relevant stakeholders including Ministers, MPs, journalists, civil servants and other trade bodies. The new BIBA chair Jonathan Evans, our CEO Steve White and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance, Craig Tracey MP also made keynote speeches heralding the launch.
It was particularly gratifying to have support from John Glen MP the ‘Insurance Minister’. He is quoted in this year’s Manifesto, saying: “Insurance brokers make a significant contribution to our economy, supporting the UK’s reputation as a global insurance leader. Brokers help people find the insurance they need, managing everything from terrorism insurance for businesses to travel insurance for individual consumers with serious medical conditions. BIBA’s action on financial inclusion is helping vulnerable consumers access the insurance they need, and I urge them continue this important work.”
The Manifesto sets our agenda for the many meetings with Government officials, regulators, media, insurers and other stakeholders in order to progress the work we will be doing for you.
Take a look at https://bibamanifesto.co.uk/ and perhaps think about joining a regional or national BIBA board or committee to help us shape the future and improve access to insurance.
