Is there benefit to seeing a broker to get Income Protection?
Finding the right income protection policy for your needs is no easy process. With literally hundreds of policies on the Australian market with different features and benefits on offer, finding the one that will accommodate for your current and future needs and give you the right level of protection can be daunting. An insurance broker can assist people find the right policy by comparing the market for them based on their current needs. A broker will explain the different features available on the policy help the buyer through the application process step by step.
What is an Insurance Broker?
A personal insurance broker is simply someone who acts as a liaison or a mediator between the insurance company and the client. It is not to be mistaken with an insurance agent. The difference between the two is that an insurance agent works under or is contracted with an insurance company with the main responsibility of selling insurance policies for them. Moreover, an agent legally stands in for the company and the company keeps whatever contract the agent has entered into.
An income insurance broker, on the other hand, is not an affiliate of any insurance company. Although they may appear more as the retail part of insurance, they act more as the representative of the client rather than the company. They classify different kinds of insurance of policies and discuss with clients – individual or business – specific points which will and will not benefit them. In short, they help their clients make a decision by gathering data, classifying them, and provide quotations to fit a client’s particular need. Then they present the information to various insurance providers and if the company consents, the company will bind the coverage.
Purpose of an Insurance Broker
An insurance broker is like an omnipresent force that will readily help you with any insurance needs you have whether it is health, life, or income protection. Aside from representing their clients and providing quotations, an income protection broker’s job does not end there, and there are many ways a broker can help you.
For one, a broker can formulate a risk management strategy for you. The responsibility of an insurance broker becomes bigger when a client becomes more exposed to great and complicated risks, like dangerous activities. An excellent broker can suggest other risk control alternatives aside from insurance. It is easier to shop around for the right policy for you when you have a broker. Brokers can also help you understand the complexities of insurance laws and regulations, especially when trying to get you multiple levels of policies from different insurance providers rather than getting one big policy from a single provider. A good income insurance broker could help you lower premiums through deductibles and self-insured retentions. Furthermore, a broker can help you process claims and maintain records.
Importance of an Insurance Broker
An insurance broker is indispensable; however, there are still people who believe that they don’t need further assistance when it comes to getting any types of insurance. This is because of the notion that brokers are there to make money out of their mishaps and increase the premium they are paying.
However, a broker will always ensure that your needs are properly addressed and resolved. Since most insurance providers have certain limitations in their policies, what they offer may not be what you need. An insurance broker can help you scour the market and find the best deals for you. In short, you get a good policy at a competitive price.
A broker is also important when you don’t know where to put your business. Not because a premium is low means that it is the best deal for you. A broker, having sufficient experience about the market can give you priceless guidance on all the claims records of virtually any insurance provider. Then, he could also take on the responsibility of processing your claims if and when you or your business has suffered financial loss.
With a lot of financial matters at risk and at play in the world of insurance, knowledge and expertise is needed in order to get the best and suitable policy for you. An insurance broker can be the big difference between the success and failure of a policy. By getting the help of one, you will be able to sort through various complexities and choose wisely.
