Background

In January 2021 the FCA banned discretionary comission arrangements (DCA’s) in the motor finance sector.  The ban was implemented to remove the incentive for brokers to increase the interest rate that customers pay for their motor finance, with the FCA advising firms to review their practices and where harm was identified, address it.

Following the implementation of the ban, motor finance companies began receiving a significant number of complaints from customers and claims management companies acting on their behalf, leading to varying outcomes.

In January 2024, the FCA initiated a S166 review to investigate if customers were overcharged in their motor finance agreements. To prevent differing outcomes and market disruption the FCA implemented a temporary pause on the eight week deadline that firms have to respond to motor finance customer complaints.

 Pause extension and delayed guidance

The FCA have now proposed to extend the complaints pause until at least December 2025 and is not expecting to provide industry guidance until May 2025.

The FCA advise the additional time is required as:-

• They need more time to analyse the data collected from firms. The FCA believe this analysis will assist in determining the impact of DCA’s on credit costs for vehicle buyers.
• A judicial review of a DCA complaint decision made by the Financial Ombudsman Service is underway and the outcome is likely to influence the FCA’s next steps.
• They are considering implementing a redress scheme for affected consumers. This requires careful planning and consultation with industry stakeholders.

What is the FCA consulting on?

The FCA are consulting on the following eight questions

1. Do you agree with our proposal to extend the pause until 4 December 2025 to allow us to complete our diagnostic work and, if necessary, allow time for us to design, consult on and implement the most appropriate redress pathways open to us?
2. What factors, including any unforeseen consequences, should we take into account when deciding whether the pause should end early?
3. Do you agree with the requirement that firms should inform complainants of the pause when they send a written acknowledgement?
4. Do you agree with the proposal to require firms to write to those complainants who have already received a written acknowledgment to explain that the pause has been extended?
5. Do you agree with our proposal that the rules should continue to extend the time limit for referring DCA complaints to the Financial Ombudsman from 6 to 15 months (or 29^th July 2026 if later) where the firm sent its final response within the timeframe specified in the rules?
6. Do you agree with our proposal to require firms to write to complainants who have already received a final response letter if the time they have to refer a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman has been extended?
7. Do you agree with our proposal that the period of the pause should not contribute to the 3-year period that firms are required to keep records of complaints for?
8. Do you agree with our proposal that the rule requiring lenders and credit brokers to maintain and preserve any records that are or could be relevant to the handling of existing or future complaints or civil claims relating to DCAs, is kept in place for an extra 15 months?

How this impacts motor finance firms

Though May and December 2025 seem quite a way into the future, firms still have lots to consider on top of the questions raised by the FCA ,such as:-

• What is their exposure to DCA practices?
• How are they going to communicate with complainants including customers who have already complained about the pause and future updates?
• If a redress scheme is put into place, how will you complete the reviews and arrange for redress to paid, as well as complaints handled.
• How will you stay abreast of FCA developments and the Judicial review outcomes.

Each firm will likely approach these questions differently, but commonalities will include the need for additional resources and expertise. Even firms that have not sold any agreements with DCAs will still require extra resources to handle the increased volume of complaints.

If you would like to talk to us, about how we could assist you, please click here.

The post Proficient Complaints appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

The post Neil Harris appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

Robert has just achieved a new role in the Proficient side of Broker Direct. Having joined our Claims Department in 2020, his previous attitude and results supported him throughout the hiring process and he is excited to demonstrate these in his next step. We sat down with him to find out about his experience and what he does to unwind.

Tell us about your background, career-to-date and how you came to be in your position.

I started working in insurance in 2016, with a position in motor policy sales and service with Co-op Insurance. Between 2016 and 2020 I moved from policy sales and service into motor claims, working initially in customer claims and eventually in third party claims. I left in 2020 as a Senior Claims Handler to join Broker Direct in the Credit Hire Claims team. At Broker Direct, I have worked across the claims department with roles in both credit hire and personal injury. When this role within the Business Development Team and Proficient became available, I was extremely interested and applied immediately!

What are your main roles at Proficient and how does it benefit the business?

My role within the business is to facilitate a successful integration of new products and partners, as well as supporting ongoing relationships as a direct point of contact. This involves the coordination of new projects and an open channel of communications with our partners at all times to ensure that business progresses as smoothly as possible. I work primarily for the Proficient arm of the business but will have a part to play, alongside Amy and Helen, in supporting our brokers.

How did you start at Broker Direct and what has your experience been like while working here?

Working at Broker Direct has been filled with great opportunities for me, from the different positions that I have enjoyed within the claims department, through this new and exciting role with Proficient. I enjoy building positive outcomes and solutions, which has been the scope of all the roles that I have occupied at Broker Direct, and I am excited to continue to grow within the company.

What have been your biggest achievements so far at Broker Direct?

Outside of successful claims settlements and negotiations, my proudest achievement to date is attaining this new role within the company. As soon as I saw the opportunity, I knew that it would be a great fit for my skills and approach. I’m looking forward to demonstrating this in the near future and supporting further achievements for Proficient and Broker Direct.

What do you want to achieve in the short and long-term?

In the short term, I am seeking to quickly develop my knowledge and experience outside of my traditional area of expertise, which is claims. I want to grow in to my new role as a successful and productive addition to the Business Development Team. In the long term, I would like to build strong relationships with our partners and support continued positive outcomes for them and Proficient.

Do you have a message for our brokers, partners or current employees?

It will be a pleasure to meet and work with all of you. I am heavily invested in positive outcomes and will, alongside the excellent team we have at Broker Direct and Proficient, continue to work to support you in innovating and building towards success.

What are your main interests or hobbies away from work?

My main interest is cycling and the ideal weekend, for me probably consists of a long bike ride on Saturday followed by another on Sunday. I also love cooking and eating Italian food and any type of food if I’m honest, which generally necessitates my long hours on the bike! If I’m not on the bike or in the kitchen I enjoy old cinema, guitar music, and a good book.

The post Meet Our Project & Implementation Co-ordinator appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

#ComingHomeForQuizmas was a huge success, with over 13,000 entries into our giveaway. Normally we only ask questions about Christmas, but of course we couldn’t ignore the FIFA World Cup for 2022! Please find the answers we used to judge entries below and why not go and test your friends and family while you’re at it!

We hope you all enjoyed our quiz competition and stay tuned to our socials for more giveaways in the future…

Who won the FIFA World Cup in 1966?	England
Which player holds the national records of most caps and most goals for Argentina?	Lionel Messi
Which nation upset the odds in 2014, finishing top of their group which included Italy, Uruguay & England?	Costa Rica
The first FIFA World Cup in 1930 was hosted and won by which nation?	Uruguay
Which England goalkeeper famously made an error against the USA in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?	Robert Green
In 2018, who joined Pele as only the second teenager to score in a FIFA World Cup Final?	Kylian Mbappe
Which midfielder scored an extra time winner when Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup?	Andres Iniesta
Which Portuguese international holds the world record for most goals in international fixtures?	Cristiano Ronaldo
Who scored the winning goal for England the last time they faced Wales in major international competition?	Daniel Sturridge
Who is the record goalscorer for Denmark at the FIFA World Cup and now is manager of Blackburn Rovers?	Jon Dahl Tomasson
Which of Father Christmas’ reindeer is named after the German word for “Thunder?”	Donner
Which player’s free kick famously lobbed David Seaman to knock England out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup?	Ronaldinho
Geraldine McQueen’s “Once Upon A Christmas Song” was a 2008 UK Top 10 single performed by which comedian?	Peter Kay
Who was the youngest member of England’s 2018 World Cup squad?	Trent Alexander-Arnold
Which European Capital City holds the world’s largest Christmas market?	Vienna
Which Arsenal midfielder is the captain of Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup?	Granit Xhaka
According to a UK poll, what is the most common decoration for the top of a Christmas tree?	Star () *
Ebeneezer Scrooge is the main character in which Charles Dickens novel?	A Chistmas Carol
Which Mozambique born striker won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot in 1966 representing Portugal?	Eusebio
Which player scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final?	Mario Gotze
Starting in 1931, which building in New York City is known for its lavishly decorated Christmas tree?	Rockefeller Center
In “Home Alone,” which city are the McCallisters travelling to when they leave Kevin behind?	Paris
Which player got himself sent off in the FIFA World Cup Final of 2006 for headbutting Marco Materazzi?	Zinedine Zidane
Who is the only footballer to have won 3 FIFA World Cups?	Pele
Which monarch delivered the first Christmas Speech to the UK in 1932?	George V
Which Christmas song became the first to be sung in outer space 57 years ago on this date in 1965? (December 17th)	Jingle Bells
The famous Christmas Truce occurred during which conflict?	World War I
Which two nations will contest the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final?	Argentina & France
“Love Actually” and “Nativity!” both feature which famous British actor?	Martin Freeman
Which English actor voiced “The Grinch” in the 2018 film of the same name?	Benedict Cumberbatch
“The Frog’s Legacy” was the title of which BBC TV show’s Christmas Special in 1987?	Only Fools and Horses
What star sign would you be if you were born on Christmas Day?	Capricorn
Which Shakin’ Stevens Christmas song was released in November 1985?	Merry Christmas Everyone

Competition Terms and Conditions
*Poll Data taken from YouGov Article

The post Coming Home For Quizmas Answers appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

Helen has been with BD for almost 7 years and has made an incredible impact on our Business Development team, forging strong relationships with BD’s insurance brokers and business partners in this time. We sat down with her to find out about her time with us and what she does to unwind.

Tell us about your background, career-to-date and how you came to be in your position.

I worked with Broker Direct for over 15 years when I was the insurance partnership manager at Auto Windscreens. After 20 years there and after spending some time at Aviva, I joined Broker Direct to head up the Business Development team. I have been here for 7 years in May. Towards the end of 2021, I moved into the role of Business Development Manager for the Proficient side of the business. My role now is mainly in Proficient, the claims side of the business, but I still oversee the agency side of the Broker Direct business for Relationship Management and Development, heavily supported by Amy.

What is the main role of your department and how does it benefit the business?

We are the link really between all our broker and business partners with Broker Direct and Proficient. Clearly we have experts in all the departments throughout the business and our role in the development team is to get answers and find solutions for our partners, to make doing business with us as easy as possible. We utilise all the skills from all areas of the business to deliver new and existing propositions and products. We are on hand to support current and new brokers and partners to help navigate them through processes when dealing with Broker Direct or Proficient.

How did you start at Broker Direct and what has your experience been like while working here?

I LOVE working at Broker Direct! It’s the people that make it different and a great place to work. Without exception everyone has the customers’ best interest at heart, all pull in the same direction and look to support each other and we are always conscious of other people’s agendas and deadlines.

We have fun along the way and there is always something interesting going on in the way of quizzes, nights out, fundraising, or green issues to get involved in.

What have been your biggest achievements so far at Broker Direct?

Although I had worked with insurers and brokers previously, I was not very technically knowledgeable around insurance and insurance products. Broker Direct gave me the opportunity to complete my CII (Chartered Institute of Insurance Certificate). This was a great way to get to understand ‘the meat on the bone of insurance’. It was difficult getting back to studying, but after passing it was a real rewarding feeling to know that even at my age, I could still learn something new. Also seeing my team progress into more senior roles is great, knowing that with the right support and encouragement that they have the confidence to go one step further in their career is great to see.

What do you want to achieve in the short and long-term?

New business is always great and if we can build our partnerships and broker portfolio, that would be brilliant. Keeping our current partners happy and making sure with the support of the business we deliver what we have set out to do. My team is also crucial to making this happen and I will continue to support them in the short and long term. Broker Direct is celebrating 25 years this year- some people have been here since it was founded – what an achievement! If we continue to do what we do with the great team around us, I have no doubt that we will still be celebrating people and continuing success in another 25 years.

Do you have a message for our brokers, partners or current employees?

We are always trying to find new and better ways of doing things – no idea is a bad idea, we need to share these and keep talking to get the good stuff in place. Sometimes we are hit with issues that we can’t resolve overnight, but I do believe we always have everyone’s best interest at heart. This is a partnership, not only Broker Direct with clients and customers but internally within the different departments within the business. We all need each other to make a success of Broker Direct. Every person no matter what job they do is important – after all what would a Bakewell tart be without the cherry on the top! All the ingredients together make a great cake, but without the cherry its just not complete. All individuals play the part and are the cherry on our Broker Direct Bakewell!

What are your main interests or hobbies away from work?

I have a cat called Dexter – he’s an old boy now and as a rescue cat, I have no idea how old he is! Based on the fact he is deaf and only has 3 teeth left I would say about 18 maybe. I also love going to the gym most days if I can. Just in the process of moving into a new house in Yorkshire, which is exciting not only because it’s a new home move, but also I will be relocating from the Wirral to do so. A whole new chapter and one I’m excited for. I remain an avid Rick Astley fan (for my sins) and for any of you doubters out there, I can reliably inform you he did do more than one song (Never Gonna Give You Up is only part of his repertoire )

Tell us something not many people will know about you.

I can still (at 56) do a back somersault on a trampoline!!

The post Meet Our UK Development Manager appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

Darren has worked at BD for 9 years and is our Head of Group Compliance. We interviewed him to find out more about his role, his time at BD and more about the man himself.

Tell us about your background, career-to-date and how you came to be in your position.

I started to work in financial services compliance in 2004 and began to specialise in general insurance compliance in 2008. I gathered industry experience as a Compliance Consultant and Broker Compliance Manager before joining Broker Direct in 2013, as Head of Group Compliance. 

What is the main role of your department and how does it benefit the business?

The main role of my department is to ensure that Broker Direct continues to meet its regulatory requirements and understands the regulatory changes and risks on the horizon.

How did you start at Broker Direct and what has your experience been like while working here?

I started at Broker Direct at the end of 2013, though it definitely doesn’t seem that long ago!  I have never worked anywhere as long as I have been at BD and don’t see myself working anywhere else!

What do you want to achieve in the short and long-term?

My goals are simple. Ensure BD remains compliant with any and all regulations now and in the future.

What are your main hobbies and interests away from work?

I like to go walking and can be regularly found lost (ish) in the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales. I also play football on a regular basis as well as boot camp.

The post Meet Our Compliance Officer appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

We’re happy to announce the appointment of our new Head Of People, Donna Smith!

Donna joins us having spent over 12 years in Human Resources and looking after over 1,000 colleagues in previous roles. We sat down with her to find out more about her career to date, her life and what she wants to achieve at Broker Direct!

We can’t wait to work with her and help our amazing employees maximise their potential.

Tell us about your background, career to date and why you wanted to become our Head Of People.

I joined the retail sector whilst studying at college, which turned into a 24-year careers with a large company. Having worked my way through an abundance of management training programs and performing in several senior management roles, I moved into the Human Resources team 12 years ago. Whilst there I assumed various roles including Personnel Manager, Group People Manager and most recently as Group People Business Partner where I looked after more than 1,000 colleagues and achieved my CIPD qualification.

The opportunity to join the team as Head Of People is really exciting! The business has a real, strong heartbeat with a team who are dedicated and passionate about what they do. There is a real team ethos to strive for excellence and this is a key motivator for me personally.

What qualities do you have that you believe will make your time at Broker Direct a success?

I have an extensive HR background and have always been part of a high performing team. I have a real passion and strong legacy for unlocking high performance and capability by working closely with stakeholders to develop and coach teams, while implementing policies and procedures in line with the ACAS Code of Conduct. I am naturally curious and challenge management teams’ ways of achieving business goals.

What are Broker Direct’s biggest strengths right now?

A great team who are passionate about what they do, the people they work with and the customers they serve.

What do you want to achieve in the short and long-term at Broker Direct?

My overall goal is to help make Broker Direct a great place to work, understand the barriers to high performance and use my skills to support the team to be the best they can be.

Do you have a message for our brokers, partners and employees as you assume the role?

I have an open-door policy and am keen to meet everyone, including those working at home. So if you are around or free, please say hello!

What are your main hobbies and interests away from work?

In my spare time I love to make memories; you will rarely see me sat down in front of the TV. I am always doing something which generally involves family friends and often food with the odd gin. I have a dog who keeps me active along with my two teenage children.

Thanks for taking the time to talk, Donna. We wish you every success with us here at Broker Direct!

The post Meet Our New Head of People appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

Changes are afoot across all businesses right now and Broker Direct is no different. Iain Gray has been appointed as our new CEO and has been fully endorsed by our Board and retiring CEO, Terry Stanley.

Iain is a passionate and skilled operator, so we sat down with him to find out more about the man and his vision for the company.

Tell us about your background, career to date and why you wanted to become our CEO.

I fell into my first job after graduating because it was convenient to where I was living at the time. Initially I worked on the life and pensions side of financial services whilst my employer sponsored me to qualify as a chartered accountant. Soon after I qualified, I was approached by a direct-writer and switched over to general insurance as the Financial Controller. In 1994 I was approached by Andrew Paddick, the Director General of the Institute of Insurance Brokers who had a vision to set up Broker Direct, an insurer the brokers could call their own. I joined in 1995 and we spent the next couple of years getting the financial backing and insurer capacity to finally launch the business in 1997, from when I have been the Group Finance Director & Company Secretary.

I’ve wanted to be the CEO for some years, but of course that first required a vacancy. I have a deep understanding of the business and to coin a phrase, have significant ‘skin in the game’, so when Terry decided to retire and the Board asked me to take on the role, I readily accepted.

As one of Broker Direct’s founders, how do you think your time at the company will make your leadership a success?

We’ve taken risks and some haven’t panned out as we wished but I’ve learnt from those mistakes. I don’t intend to make the same mistakes twice, I know what makes us successful and will continue to take calculated risks in the areas that we excel.

What are Broker Direct’s biggest strengths right now?

Our people and our technology are what makes us unique and valued by our partners.

What are your short and long term visions for the company?

To have longevity, we must constantly invest in our people and our technology. In the short term that means modernising our people practices and automation, in particular those manual activities that are repetitive, predictable and mundane. In this way, we can give our staff more interesting and varied roles.

We will continue to be agile and nimble into the longer term, adapting as the market evolves.

Do you have a message for our brokers and partners as you assume the role?

We understand our role and are very good at what we do. To stay current and competitive, it is my intention to leverage our solid foundation of IT infrastructure and the expertise of our people to nurture our current relationships and attract new ones.

What are your main hobbies and interests away from work?

Down time generally involves exercise and socialising. The years have taken their toll on my joints so distance running is out, but I still play Sunday league veterans football and cycle extensively. The exercise is especially rewarding after the match or ride, at the pub with my friends.

Tell us something not many people will know about you.

In 2019, I cycled 1100 miles from Lands End to John O Groats, raising £12,000 for Breast Cancer Now in memory of my sister.

Thank you for taking the time to sit with us and we wish you every success in your new role. Congratulations!

The post Meet Our New CEO appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

If you’re reading this then you’ve probably just booked your post-COVID getaway. You could be jetting off to seek the sun, slalom down the slopes, or even to see family overseas. But whatever your destination, the threat of COVID still looms and could massively disrupt your plans. It’s important to know that no matter what happens, your holiday can be protected with the right COVID travel insurance.

BDTravel is designed to make it easy and simple to purchase the travel insurance you need, without the hassle of endless forms and confusing jargon. We have been working with our partners at SunWorld to offer a flexible, competitive travel insurance policy to ensure you stay safe and protected. We have a vast network of expert and friendly insurance brokers who can provide you with our extensive COVID Travel Insurance policy written by AXA! Call our support team on 01204600345 and they will be able to find you a broker in your local area.

Travel insurance is purchased by holiday makers for a variety of reasons. It can protect you from trip cancellations and medical emergencies, or in the event of lost luggage and stolen possessions. Travel insurance can also protect against financial loss in the event of cutting your trip short. But of course, COVID Travel Insurance is a priority for most right now and we offer protection against a wide range of factors relating to COVID-19 and the Coronavirus.

Why Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Most people’s travels go off without a hitch. But there’s always the chance that an emergency can strike while you’re on holiday. A serious illness, natural disaster, or any form of accident could leave you stranded thousands of miles from home, without a way to pay for your ticket home. Even if travelling in the UK, unexpected problems can occur such as flooded accommodation or an accident that stops you from completing your planned activities. That’s where travel insurance comes in. It covers medical emergencies, accidents, and more while you’re travelling.

It’s important to buy a travel insurance policy well in advance of your trip, just like you would with your plane ticket. The earlier you buy a policy, the more protection you have, leaving you free to get excited and relax, knowing you are protected against anything that could come your way.

Without adequate travel insurance, you will be left footing the bill to deal with any problems that arise on you holiday and mostly these aren’t cheap. SunWorld estimate that medical expenses and a flight home after suffering a fractured arm in Spain are between £6000 and £8000, a fractured hip is £15,000 in medical expenses alone, and suffering the same incident in the United States of America could range between a staggering £60,000 and £80,000! So stay safe and stay insured.

What Does COVID Travel Insurance Cover?

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. That’s why it’s important to do your homework and make sure that you’re buying travel insurance that fits your specific needs. The first thing to consider is whether you need to purchase an annual policy or travel insurance coverage that you can buy for each trip separately. If you’re planning to travel frequently when the borders open, an annual policy would be the most affordable option. There is also an option for long-stay policies if you are planning to stay away for up to 365 nights. But if you’re only planning one getaway, then a single-trip policy makes sense for you.

With respect to COVID-19, BDTravel offers a wide range of protection against Coronavirus related circumstances as standard. These include:

• If you fall ill with COVID-19 (or other Pandemic illness) abroad and need medical treatment.

• If you fall ill with COVID-19 (or other Pandemic illness) at home and cannot travel

• You or a member of your household must self-isolate at home and cannot travel due to COVID-19.

• You are denied boarding at the airport due to detected symptoms of COVID-19 (or other pandemic illness).

• You are made redundant, cannot cover the cost of your holiday and have to cancel the trip.

• You are due to stay with family and the family member you are due to stay with must self-isolate due to pandemic illness. You then wish to cancel the trip as you no longer have anywhere to stay.

• If during travel, restrictions are imposed asking people to return to their country of residence due to COVID-19 (or a Pandemic illness).

• Your accommodation provider closes due to outbreak of COVID-19 (or other Pandemic illness).

What Does COVID Travel Insurance Not Cover?

There are some circumstances where regrettably, your travel insurance will not provide you with cover. These are usually because the trip has been booked against official Government advice. Examples of where your travel insurance won’t protect you are:

• If you book a trip whilst in lockdown and then need to cancel because restrictions still apply (lockdowns, tiers, etc.).

• At the time of booking, entry restrictions apply at your chosen destination and you are unable to travel, as the restrictions are still in place.

Will Any Travel Insurance Cover COVID?

The short answer is no! But if you purchase travel insurance from a reputable provider, like us, you can be sure that we will pay out on all the COVID-related circumstances listed above. As different policies offer different levels of cover, you should make sure your travelling party all take out the same travel insurance, otherwise you could be protected for different circumstances. This means that if COVID does affect your trip, you will be covered while your friends or family might lose out!

Do I Need Travel Insurance If I’m Holidaying In The UK?

Even if you’re planning a staycation, travel insurance is a must for those who want to stay protected. Disruption to your planned accommodation, or unexpected medical emergencies can still occur, so it’s always better to stay on the safe side. BDTravel will cover trips in the United Kingdom in the same way as foreign trips, provided you have pre-booked accommodation, or transport away from your permanent home for a minimum of 2 nights. At a time when staycations will be much more popular, it’s important to know that BDTravel will cover you just the same whether you’re overseas, or holidaying in the UK!

Can I Get Travel Insurance With A Pre-Existing Medical Condition?

As we said before, not all travel insurance policies cover the same risks. But we are proud to say that BDTravel has one of the widest acceptance criteria for pre-existing medical conditions, covering thousands of confirmed diagnoses. There are also no extra fees to pay if you are diagnosed with a condition part-way through your policy. So provided you’re clear about your health circumstances at the time of purchase, you can be assured that the price you’re offered is the price you’ll pay!

What Else Does BDTravel Cover?

Aside from our extensive cover relating to COVID-19 and Coronavirus related incidents, BDTravel also covers all the events you would expect from a good travel insurance policy as standard. Citizens Advice have a list of things that your travel insurance should include, and BDTravel covers all of these and more. These include:

• Holiday cancellations or cutting your trip short.

• Medical expenses if you have an accident or fall ill abroad.

• Cover for getting you home if you are injured or sick.

• Protection if your possessions are lost or damaged on holiday.

• Cover against your luggage being lost or delayed.

Does BDTravel Cover Trip Cancellations?

Provided your tour operator or transport provider aren’t liable for the costs, we will pay out on a range of factors for why you may decide to cancel your trip. These include:

• If you can’t travel due to an accident, illness or death of yourself or travelling companion(s).

• Your travel company becomes insolvent and can no longer facilitate your trip e.g. Thomas Cook.

• Theft of your passport within 72 hours prior to your departure.

• Plus much more!

What Happens If I Miss My Flight Or It’s Delayed?

If your flight to an EU nation is delayed for over 3 hours, you can claim money back from your flight company. BDTravel also begins to pay out after 5 hours of delays as a result of one of our covered scenarios. If you miss your flight completely due to factors beyond your control, then BDTravel will pay your additional transport costs, either to or from the UK, up to a value of £1000. Even if holidaying in the UK, BDTravel will pay out if your pre-booked transport fails to get you to your destination.

Does BDTravel Cover Medical Expenses Abroad?

BDTravel covers the cost of medical emergencies, ranging from £5 million up to £15 million when you’re abroad! This includes when you have expenses incurred from unforeseen injuries due to accidents or illness. BDTravel will pay for:

• Emergency surgery.

• Emergency dental work.

• Hospital bed costs.

• Transport to and from hospital.

• The cost of getting you home (accompanied by a doctor if necessary).

• And a lot more!

What Happens If My Belongings Are Lost Or Stolen?

On standard policies, BDTravel will pay out if your luggage is lost, damaged or stolen whilst on your trip. This also includes pay outs for valuables. Remember that if your luggage is lost in the airport, or doesn’t make it on your flight, then it is your flight provider who is liable for refunding your costs. However, BDTravel will cover the costs of essential items to keep you going if your baggage is delayed for over 12 hours.

Whilst on your trip, BDTravel will also refund cash and personal money up to a value of £300 if lost or stolen and will also cover your transport costs for you to retrieve a replacement passport if yours goes missing or is stolen!

What If I Plan On Getting Active On Holiday?

BDTravel offers 3 levels of cover, depending on the activities you plan on doing. Most regular resort activities like, banana boating, beach games, and tennis are covered on our lowest and cheapest level, provided they are done to an amateur level and are not the main purpose of your trip.

Does BDTravel Cover Skiing Holidays Or Golf Breaks?

If you plan on hitting the slopes or the course on your holiday, BDTravel has you covered. Winter sports and golf cover can easily be added to our policies if you request them. This will give you peace of mind, knowing your equipment is safe if it’s stolen, lost, or damaged accidentally.  We will also cover the cost of hiring new equipment so you can continue with your activities! If you’re injured and can’t continue with your plans, then BDTravel will also reimburse you the costs of your lost experiences. This includes if your ski resort is closed due to an abnormal level of snow, be it too low or high, or if your green fees are unused.

Does BDTravel Cover Me If I’m Going On A Cruise?

For all you sea lovers, cruises are covered as standard with the option to extend cover, just like our golf and skiing holidays. Again, you will need to mention this to your broker when you take out the policy. Our cruise cover includes:

• Up to £2500 of protection for your baggage.

• £500 for your valuables.

• Missed port cover.

• Missed pre-paid shore trip cover.

• Pay outs in the case of cabin confinement.

Are There Any Additional Benefits To A BDTravel Policy?

As well as the standard protection, including our protection against COVID, BDTravel also has a range of additional benefits to our customers, which most other policies don’t offer. These include:

• A pay out if you miss any connecting transport on your journey e.g. flights or ferries.

• No additional fees for covering your technology and mobile phones.

• Treatment abroad in private medical facilities, including cruises.

• No increased excess if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

• No increase to your premium, or change in cover if you are diagnosed with a health condition after your purchase.

• No maximum age limit for single-trip policies.

• Single trip coverage up to a maximum of 92 days.

How Much Is COVID Travel Insurance?

Like all travel insurance policies, how much you pay for your COVID Travel Insurance depends on when you buy it and the kinds of risks you’re taking. In most cases however, it’s relatively affordable. The cost of travel insurance also varies depending on your age, destination, and the length of your trip. This can make it difficult with other products to find a suitable policy every time you travel. However, BDTravel has no age limit on single-trip policies and variable length availability on long-stay policies.

Where To Buy COVID Travel Insurance?

You’re about to travel and you need COVID Travel Insurance to protect against potential pitfalls. But most comparison websites filter by price, not by cover! This means you could be left out of pocket when you find your cheaper policy doesn’t protect against COVID-related cancellations; or pay an extortionate excess fee when trying to make a claim.

You can buy BDTravel through one of our friendly and expert insurance brokers. They understand that everyone’s travel plans are different, and they can use their specialist customer service to find you the most comprehensive cover at the best possible price. To find your local broker, contact our Support Team on 01204600345 and they can provide you with a broker in your area. Alternatively you can visit our contact page to see the other ways of getting in touch.

How Do I Claim On Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance will definitely be a worthwhile investment, but before you sign up, find out how to best use it and how to file a claim. We pride ourselves on our claims service and believe that behind every claim lies a vulnerable customer, so we treat every claim with the utmost respect to find you a resolution that you are completely satisfied with. Our claims service is also dual tiered to ensure you get the best possible treatment in the unfortunate event of making a claim. If you are in a situation where you have to make a claim, then you can call AXA’s dedicated Non-Emergency claims number on 03458505193.

The post The Best Way To Protect Yourself On Holiday? COVID Travel Insurance! appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.

We hope you all enjoyed our BDQuizmas competition! We’re hard at work preparing the draw for the winner and will announce our winner in due course. Please find the answers we used to judge entries below:

Competition Terms and Conditions

The post BDQuizmas Answers appeared first on Broker Direct Plc.