Car Insurance

How to make the most of an insurance broker

Stop! Don’t simply accept your annual insurance renewal; you could be missing out on hundreds of pounds of cost savings. We have all been there, receiving our annual insurance renewal through the post, automatically signing the form and sending it back. Do you ever compare and contrast against last year’s premiums? Learn how to make the most of an insurance broker; make them work for you!

 - 8 Min Read
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How to make the most of an insurance broker

Insurance brokers: FAQs

  • Is an insurance broker the same as an insurance agent?

    While an insurance broker can be tied to one (or a small group) insurance company or independent, an insurance agent will traditionally promote the products/services of one insurance company. An insurance agent is an alternative name for a tied insurance broker.

  • What type of insurance services do insurance brokers provide?

    You will find two particular types of insurance brokers; those who specialise in one area, like travel insurance, and those who offer general insurance services. Consequently, whether you are looking for general insurance services or niche cover, there will be an insurance broker able to assist you.

  • Can I combine insurance cover to achieve reduced premiums?

    The greater the volume of insurance business, the more scope to reduce combined insurance premiums. This is something that your insurance broker will look into when investigating new policies and different types of cover. Providing this type of enhanced service is part of the “know your client” concept.

  • Who regulates insurance brokers?

    Insurance brokers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA has a raft of disciplinary powers available, from public censorship to fines and, in extreme circumstances, closure of an insurance broking business. Consumer confidence in the industry has improved significantly in recent times, in line with enhanced protection. There is also a public body that is the face of the insurance broking industry, the British Insurance Broker’ Association (BIBA).

  • Do insurance brokers assist with insurance claims?

    Most insurance brokers will assist their clients when looking to claim under a policy. They have the expertise, practical knowledge, and contacts to ensure that claims are made appropriately. This is often a means of enhancing an insurance broker’s relationship with their clients, gaining long-term trust and confidence.

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We all do it, receive our insurance renewal premiums in the post, sign the form, tick the box and send it back. Alternatively, you may look at one of the comparisons websites to find the “best offer” to buy insurance. Unfortunately, there is a common myth that insurance brokers are just an “added cost” when this is most certainly not the case. So how do you make the most of an insurance broker to get a high-value deal for your specific situation?

Car insurance tailored to your needs is only a click away. Choose a provider in the table below to visit their website and get started.

What does an insurance broker do?

The most concise description of an insurance broker is they are an intermediary link between, you the client and the insurance industry. There could be numerous deals out there for you, whether you are looking for:

This is just a selection of the different types of insurance available from providers. Whatever type of insurance you are after, there will be an insurance broker to help you.

Even though the financial sector has benefited more than most from the online era, it is impossible to list all the insurance available in the United Kingdom. Consequently, what you see on the internet may not be the best deal available for you. In this scenario, insurance brokers can offer exceptional value for money.

Tied vs independent insurance brokers

When looking at insurance brokers to approach, you will come across two very different types, tied and independent. While the obvious choice might be to approach an independent insurance broker, you should consider several factors.

Tied insurance brokers

As the term suggests, tied insurance brokers can only offer insurance products from one insurance company. However, on occasion, you may come across multi-tied insurance brokers; they can offer products from a small number of different companies. In essence, a tied insurance broker cannot scour the market for the best deal available for you. So, what are the benefits of a tied insurance broker?

At first glance, it may be challenging to recognise the benefits of a tied insurance broker. However, as they deal with one, or sometimes a small group, of insurance companies, they often have a very close relationship. Consequently, they may be in a position to negotiate and improve on terms available to the general public.

Much will depend upon the type of insurance products available and the amount of business a tied insurance broker can bring. The more business they provide to insurers, the more likely they’ll be able to negotiate significantly improved terms for you.

Independent insurance brokers

An independent insurance broker can research the best products available across the market. They have no formal ties with any single or group of insurance companies. However, they will often have closer relationships with particular companies. Consequently, they may have relatively stronger negotiating powers with those companies they deal with regularly.

One of the main benefits of an independent insurance broker is that they can scour the market for the best deal, but they can approach several parties. The UK insurance market is one of the most competitive globally, with new entrants emerging regularly. So you shouldn’t underestimate the ability to play off insurance companies against each other to negotiate the best terms and price for you.

Is it worth using an insurance broker?

There is no doubt that the online revolution has significantly impacted the UK financial services industry. This sector is now more transparent and accessible to the general public. However, there is still the option of dealing directly with insurance companies and using services like the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) as risk management to find professionals. Consequently, it may be tempting to dismiss the benefits of using insurance brokers to your detriment.

Access to a greater range of products

With the best will in the world, insurance companies can’t list all of their products on the internet. The insurance sector is often fast-moving, and companies will respond to competitors and demand for particular types of insurance. Therefore, you will have access to products that are not always in the public domain when using an insurance broker.

Ability to negotiate

There are opportunities to negotiate individual insurance policies using a tied insurance broker or an independent insurance broker. This power is not necessarily available to the general public and can lead to significant savings and policy improvements.

Niche insurance policies

Some insurance companies will likely be willing to create specific policies for whatever type of insurance you are looking for. When looking at insurance premiums, everything comes down to a simple risk/reward ratio which is usually relatively easy for underwriters to calculate. But, again, these are services not ordinarily available to the general public.

How much money does an insurance broker make?

Recently we have seen a significant tightening of the regulatory framework regarding insurance policies and the broader financial sector. Historically, there has been evidence of insurance brokers favouring some insurance companies offering the highest commission rates on their products. Unfortunately, this type of arrangement was not always made public, causing a degree of scepticism amongst those looking at insurance broking services. However, the situation is very different today:

  • Brokers are obliged to publish a breakdown of their remuneration structure
  • Brokers must disclose relationships with specific insurance companies

When it comes to remuneration, there are three traditional options which include:

  • Charge to a client, no commission from insurance companies
  • Mixture of client charge/insurance company commission
  • Commission from insurance companies

Many people prefer to pay a fee for their insurance broker services to avoid any potential conflict of interest for the broker. However, the industry is now highly transparent. You will be made aware of remuneration arrangements before agreeing to a new insurance policy.

Is insurance cheaper through a broker?

Before considering an insurance broker, many people automatically look towards insurance comparison websites for new policies or renewals. However, there are several factors to consider with regards to comparison websites:

  • These websites are, in effect, insurance brokers, receiving commission from insurance companies to which they direct business.
  • In recent years some insurance companies have withdrawn their products and services from comparison websites - often reducing competition.
  • Insurance companies tend to publish generic policy terms and conditions, many of which can be improved via direct negotiation.
  • Comparison websites offer a helpful snapshot of insurance policies available but do not list all available policies.
  • Some generic policies may include terms/conditions not relevant to you, sometimes creating an avoidable cost.

There is no doubt that the internet has increased competition in the insurance sector. This has, to a certain extent, “encouraged” us to use automated online services, where historically, many of us felt more comfortable speaking to an adviser. But, contrary to popular belief, you can still take advice over the telephone from insurance companies and insurance brokers. It is still good to talk!

When it comes to the value offered by an insurance broker, much of this will depend on:

  • Business volumes - higher volumes create more scope for negotiation
  • Market contacts and relationships
  • Specialist brokers can enhance value for particular types of policies
  • Reputation - this is still very important in the financial services sector

Each of the above elements in isolation will enhance an insurance brokers ability to negotiate the best deal for you; combined, they can be a powerful tool.

Looking at the broader financial picture

Whatever type of insurance you are looking for, it is essential to look at the broader picture to secure the best value for your situation. When using a comparison website’s services, as one example, you are looking at your insurance needs in isolation. By not taking into account your more comprehensive financial picture, you may find:

  • There are areas of duplication with existing cover
  • Combining, for example, house and car insurance offers scope to reduce combined premiums
  • Generic cover available online is not tailored to your specific needs

Those operating in the financial services industry have an obligation to “know your client”. Often abbreviated to KYC, this is a fundamental obligation for your insurance broker. For example, if they were to recommend insurance cover which duplicated existing cover, this could be construed as mis-selling. Consequently, your insurance broker could leave themselves open to regulatory action and compensation payments.

Enhanced services

The key to an insurance broker’s value is their ability to enhance generic services available in the market. While discussing your specific insurance requirements, you may find that areas of reduced cover emerge. For example, as a self-employed individual, you may not have even considered critical illness insurance cover. Do you have the appropriate life insurance cover to ensure that your loved ones are provided for on your death? What about the right liability insurance for part-time work?

In the early stages of your communication with an insurance broker, they will likely bring out their trusty questionnaire. While many of us cringe at the generic questions asked, they can identify areas of undercover and excessive cover. This is all part of the KYC operation, the requirement to know a client’s circumstances so that your insurance broker can give you the best possible advice. The more information you reveal, the better the standard of advice, the less information you disclose, the less value for money. It is that simple.

The power of negotiation and contacts

When it comes down to it, the enhanced value offered by many insurance brokers relates to their power of negotiation and contacts in the marketplace. We live in a world of automation, emails and online forms, often neglecting good old-fashioned negotiation. The fast-moving world of finance has benefited more than most from the online revolution. Still, it is impossible to publish the details of every policy and every service. Insurance brokers cannot only negotiate, but they will have access to policies and services not readily available for policyholders.

Historically, remuneration has been something of a bugbear, with concerns regarding conflicts of interest. The industry, and specifically the subject of remuneration, is now more transparent than ever before. The rules and regulations are in the public domain. Consumers are protected, and brokers flouting the rules are often chastised in public. So, it is safe to say that the insurance broker industry is alive and kicking, still able to offer potentially significant savings and enhanced services.

The content on pensiontimes.co.uk is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Should you need such advice, consult a licensed financial advisor. Any references to products, offers, rates and services from third parties advertised are served by those third parties and are subject to change. We may have financial relationships with some of the companies mentioned on this website. We strive to write accurate and genuine reviews and articles, and all views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors
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