We explain 10 benefits of using an insurance broker rather than the internet.
Insurance brokers have been advising their clients long before the internet became widely used, and with the convenience and speed at which online insurance quote engines can deliver results and policies, it’s not hard to see why this approach is popular.
But by going online rather than to an insurance broker you might be missing out on more than you think, and McClarrons explain where you will see the gaps:
1. Niche insurance – Online policies that seem to be precisely what you’re looking for could miss off or specifically exclude the very thing that is most important. An experienced insurance broker will be able to seek out the specialist insurers who will provide the right cover for the job. An understanding of the intricacies of the cover helps, and McClarrons operate in a number of specialist areas of which we have inside-out knowledge.
2. Independence – When you’re searching on a price comparison website your results are ordered by price. When dealing with a broker, the suitability of the cover comes first. As an independent broker, McClarrons’ single greatest priority is your protection requirements.
3. Fully managed claims – The whole point of insurance is that if you suffer a loss, you can make a claim. Dealing directly with your insurance provider can be straightforward but equally, it can be challenging and drawn out. Many insurance brokers will handle claims for you; McClarrons go one step further, having an in-house claims team who deal with clients’ claims from start to finish.
4. Point of contact – This is a crucial difference between online and face to face insurance. With an insurance broker, one person is able to really get to know your individual situation for greater continuity and to ensure your specific needs are met.
5. Flexible policies – The policies you find via a search engine don’t have the same degree of flexibility as those sourced through an insurance broker. Yes, you can add products on, but there is not much manoeuvrability in the schedule itself. With an insurance broker there can be, as they have direct contact with the providers and will know what needs to be included, and to what level.
6. Policy review – A policy review online can be as simple as telling a quote engine how much you paid on your premium previously. With McClarrons, this will mean studying your existing policy so that we can advise on which areas could do with reinforcing, if any, and where excess products are not needed.
7. Transparent fees – Policies arranged direct from insurers can have hidden fees which only come to light when you attempt to amend or cancel your schedule, or request duplicate documents. McClarrons make any fees clear before a sale so there’s no confusion. These would only apply to new business and renewals, and clients are not charged for cancelling their policy.
8. Guided advice – As far as choosing your policy goes, at McClarrons we would leave this up to you, but not before we’ve given you sound, expert advice and a selection of policy options.
9. Renewal information – An insurance brokers’ job is to consistently provide you with the right cover year on year, which is why it’s an important part of the role to consider your insurance some time before renewal. A broker will notify you of things that may need changing and if the most suitable policy is still the one you have in place.
10. Personal service – An email can be personable but nothing can replace the face to face conversation you can have with your insurance broker, to reassure you that those dealing with your insurance aren’t just expert professionals but are real people who are here to help you.
This is everything you’ll have when arranging your insurance through McClarrons, as we have nearly 30 years’ experience and an insight to risks that online comparison sites cannot offer.
If you don’t want to compromise on your insurance, speak to McClarrons.
