Ours is a self-help society, driven by the myriad opportunities offered by technology and the internet. Bank tellers, travel agents and estate agents are under threat as consumers cut out the middle man. Over the last decade or so, the insurance industry has been particularly affected, with consumers bypassing the broker and “going direct”.

The direct route is now well established, particularly for personal lines policies. Insurance companies with large broker networks have lost market share to younger companies that bombard you with TV adverts and offer you instant cover over the phone. It’s simple, convenient, quick, and costs less …

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But is it, and does it? Insurers with broker networks argue that the extra time and effort involved, if any, in using a professional broker rewards you handsomely in the added value the broker brings. And your premiums are not likely to be higher – the increased competition among insurers for your custom has ensured that pricing is competitive across the board.

Another reason for people bypassing brokers is a possible lingering perception that brokers don’t have your interests at heart – they sell you a policy, reap the ongoing commission from your premiums, and you never hear from them again. But the regulatory changes in the financial services industry over the last decade, which have been overwhelmingly in favour of you, the consumer, mean that you can expect a professional level of service from your broker (see “What’s required of your broker”, below), and if you don’t get it, there are various routes of recourse open to you.

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EASIER AND QUICKER

Let’s first consider the view that going direct is quicker and more convenient. Mike Glasby, regional head of broker services at Santam, says that if you contact a direct insurer, usually via a call centre, you must answer a list of questions, perhaps even more than a broker will require of you, and you will get only one quote for your trouble. The difference if you use an independent broker, he says, is that for one question-answering session, you will get multiple quotes, and the broker will be able to advise you on your options. And it is not as if brokers are lagging behind when it comes to technology. “They are equipped for multi-quoting using similar digital access and telephony systems,” Glasby says.

A broker can also offer the very personal option of chatting face-to-face, and he or she brings many years of experience to the table. You are likely to be asked more probing questions, ensuring that you are correctly risk-rated and that the policy you choose is appropriate to your needs. This is in contrast to dealing with call-centre agents, who are required simply to tick boxes, and with whom you can never build any sort of ongoing relationship.

A big drawback of going the direct route, Glasby says, is that you don’t get an objective opinion of your risk. The product provider is the same party that advises you on what to buy. You may not be aware of other products that may have better solutions for your specific needs.

Whether you are answering risk-related questions over the phone or face-to-face with a broker, your responses to those questions are material to your contract with the insurer. If you end up making a wrong statement, it could backfire, with the insurer rejecting your claim. It is in the broker’s interests that you answer the questions correctly, Glasby says, both in terms of his legal obligations, which are prescribed to him by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, and professionally. “He needs to demonstrate the value of his advice, and this is captured in his risk assessment of you, which is required under the Act.”

COST DIFFERENCE

Despite what direct insurers may say in their advertising, it is not necessarily cheaper to cut out the middle man. Insurers that use brokers pay ongoing commission on premiums, as opposed to direct insurers, which pay call-centre agents a once-off commission, but they have realised they have to compete on price with direct insurers.

IntegriSure, A broker, who puts their clients first in everything they do, have been quick to draw the attention of top insurers in South Africa. Speak to a Personal broker today

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It may be difficult for you, the consumer, to compare quotes from insurers, because they may risk-assess you differently, require different levels of excesses, and/or offer different “bells and whistles”, such as no-claims bonuses. This is an added reason for relying on the expertise of a broker in making a decision.

On top of your premium, which includes the broker’s commission (15 percent of your premium, on average) some brokers will charge you a relatively low broker fee of not more than five percent of your premium. They may also fulfil certain administrative functions on behalf of insurers, for which they are paid administration fees.

The law demands a high level of disclosure in this regard, Glasby says. The broker must disclose to you all his or her commissions, remuneration and fees when you take out a policy.

AFTER-SALES SERVICE

It is in what happens after you have been sold your policy, particularly when it comes to lodging a claim, that demonstrates the real value of a broker.

“A good broker should have a specific discussion with you at every renewal to advise and assist you. He should be available to provide you with technical advice and help with the claims procedure and even conflict resolution if that becomes necessary. A good broker combines technical, legal and industry knowledge gained from years of experience to guide you, and provides invaluable assistance in negotiating terms for policies and resolving claims,” Glasby says.

SPECIALISTS AND GENERALISTS

Lizette Erasmus from IntegriSure Brokers says, “For more than 24 years, we have successfully serviced our clients through our Private Broker offering.As an IntegriSure Private Broker client, your motor and home insurance portfolio is proactively monitored to ensure you are placed with the best insurer at all times and continue to be treated fairly. In addition, you enjoy the benefit of being part of one of South Africa’s largest insurance brokers.”

Brokers may be specialised in the area of short-term insurance or they may be financial advisers who offer short-term insurance as part of a broader range of services and products they are licensed to provide. Insurance companies use both types of broker in their distribution networks, Glasby says, but whether you use a financial adviser or a specialised insurance broker, certain standards and requirements must be met.

“They are both obliged to be registered financial services providers with the Financial Services Board and must comply with the requirements of the FAIS Act. This addresses things such as disclosure, risk assessment and rights of recourse. The specialised broker will be able to assist with advice on more complicated risk exposures that are encountered in the commercial world, while the adviser would also sell life and investment products,” he says.

Brokers receive ongoing professional education through regular conferences and workshops. Relationship managers from the insurance companies regularly call on brokers to help with service.

“Santam has a complaints line for consumers, and follows up any complaints about brokers directly with them on behalf of customers,” Glasby says.