The insurance industry has taken a significant step forward in improving access to cover with the launch of the Total Signposting Initiative, led by BIBA and supported by insurers, brokers, and consumer bodies. The initiative aims to ensure that customers who are unable to obtain insurance from a provider are not left without options — instead, they are signposted to organisations better equipped to help.
For mortgage brokers and non-specialist protection advisers, this initiative reinforces an important message: “declined” does not mean “uninsurable”. And it highlights why referring clients to a specialist broker such as The Insurance Surgery is not only good practice but also essential for delivering positive client outcomes.
What Is the Total Signposting Initiative?
The Total Signposting Initiative is designed to improve access to insurance for consumers who may struggle to obtain cover due to factors such as:
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Mental health history
- High-risk occupations
- Adverse financial or lifestyle factors
Under the initiative, when a provider cannot offer cover, customers should be directed to alternative routes — including specialist brokers — rather than being left at a dead end.
This approach supports greater financial resilience, reduces underinsurance, and ensures consumers are aware that specialist help exists.
Why This Matters for Mortgage Brokers and Non-Specialist Protection Brokers
Many clients assume that if they are declined by a mainstream insurer, there are no other options available. Unfortunately, without clear guidance, these clients may abandon their protection plans altogether — leaving mortgages, families, and financial futures exposed.
As a broker, this presents both a risk and an opportunity:
- Risk: Clients remain uninsured and vulnerable
- Opportunity: Provide added value by referring them to the right specialist
By aligning with the principles of Total Signposting, brokers can demonstrate professionalism, consumer focus, and compliance with best-practice standards.
Why The Insurance Surgery Is the Ideal Referral Partner
The Insurance Surgery is one of the UK’s leading specialist protection brokers, with decades of experience helping clients who are declined elsewhere.
Specialist Expertise
The Insurance Surgery works daily with clients who have:
- Complex medical histories
- Mental health disclosures
- Unusual or high-risk occupations
- Previous insurance refusals or exclusions
This expertise allows them to approach the right insurers, with the right underwriting information, the first time.
Access to Specialist Insurers
Unlike many mainstream brokers, The Insurance Surgery has strong relationships with insurers who actively underwrite non-standard risks — increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Positive Client Experience
Clients are treated with sensitivity, transparency, and care — particularly important for vulnerable customers who may already feel discouraged or anxious after a decline.
Protecting Broker Relationships
Referring to The Insurance Surgery allows mortgage and protection brokers to:
- Retain trust and credibility
- Avoid giving incorrect or overly cautious advice
- Ensure clients receive expert support without conflict
You remain the trusted adviser, while your client gets the specialist help they need.
Supporting Better Consumer Outcomes
The Total Signposting Initiative makes it clear: the industry has a responsibility to ensure consumers are not excluded unnecessarily. Referring clients to The Insurance Surgery directly supports this goal by:
- Reducing underinsurance
- Improving access to appropriate cover
- Strengthening consumer confidence in the advice process
In an environment of increasing regulatory scrutiny and consumer expectations, specialist referral is no longer optional — it is best practice.
Conclusion: Declined Doesn’t Mean the End
The launch of the Total Signposting Initiative is a reminder that there is almost always another route for clients who struggle to obtain insurance.
For mortgage brokers and non-specialist protection advisers, partnering with The Insurance Surgery ensures that no client is left without support — and no opportunity to protect their future is missed.
When standard options fall short, specialist expertise makes the difference.