4 min read
Insurance Broker vs Going Direct: Which Is Right for You?
Buying direct is quick and simple. A broker takes a little more setup but brings advice, market access and an advocate at claim time. Here's how they compare so you can choose with your eyes open.
Going direct
Buying directly from an insurer (online or over the phone) is fast and convenient for simple, standard risks - a single car, a straightforward house policy. You deal with one insurer, on their wording, at their price.
The trade-offs: you're comparing the market yourself, you get no independent advice on whether the cover fits, and at claim time you're negotiating with the same company that wrote the policy.
Using a broker
A broker compares multiple insurers, advises on the cover you actually need, and often accesses broader wordings and better terms through their networks. For anything with moving parts - a business, a rental portfolio, rural operations, or higher-value assets - that advice usually pays for itself.
The biggest difference is claims. A broker manages the claim with you and advocates on your behalf, which is exactly when most people discover whether their cover was worth having.
A simple rule of thumb
If your risk is simple, standard and low-value, direct is fine. If it's a business, involves liability, is higher-value, or you'd want someone in your corner at claim time, a broker is the safer choice - and generally no more expensive.