When arranging insurance without dedicated professional advice, many people take shortcuts and fail to understand the policies they are purchasing, not knowing whether they are getting value for money. Often they are disappointed when their insurance doesn't respond in the way they believed it should.

The role of an insurance broker is to save you time, money and worry. Just like an accountant or lawyer who provides you with professional advice based on years of training and experience, a qualified broker can do the same with your insurance. Whether it’s home, car or business insurance, brokers provide advice and assistance to make sure you are properly protected.

Brokers have access to many different policies because they deal with a wide range of insurance companies and sometimes other types of underwriters as well. A broker will be aware of the benefits, exclusions and costs of competing policies on the market. They will also help arrange and place the cover and can often provide advice on how to make the most of your insurance budget.

Going direct to an insurance company may appear cheaper, but without the specialist interpretation and tailoring to your specific needs, going direct may well turn out to be an extremely expensive exercise. Using an insurance broker can even cost you less because brokers have knowledge of the insurance market and the ability to negotiate competitive premiums on your behalf. A broker’s duty is to explain your policy and any special situations you need to watch out for.