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Life insurance broker: Do I need one?
A life insurance broker can be a big help as we're talking about a product that isn't one-size-fits-all. However, you'll need to pay at least one fee for their services.
Get a quote from a life insurance brokerEnquire here
Insurance brokers are qualified professionals who can source multiple life cover quotes and relevant information on your behalf.
Life insurance is not a one-size-fits-all product and some people opt for a broker if they are seeking more personalised cover. Examples can include those with more complex medical histories, often with pre-existing conditions.
One drawback of using a broker is that they will charge a commission or broker fee for their service; or both.
Knowing how much life insurance to take out or which policy will best suit you and your family's needs can be tricky. Having someone with expertise to help you rather than finding a policy on your own could save you time and money. That's where a life insurance broker can help.
What is a life insurance broker?
A life insurance broker is essentially an intermediary between you and an insurer. Their job is to source a policy that's matched to your needs and personal circumstances, for a competitive price.
Insurance brokers are often confused with insurance agents; however, they are different. An insurance agent is someone who works for a certain insurance company, or for a number of insurance companies. So, an agent is a representative of an insurance company with a purpose of selling policies to those who need them.
How do life insurance brokers work?
An insurance broker gathers different quotes from various companies and presents them to you. They can help you gather the necessary information you need for the application process, and submit them to different insurance providers.
When the provider agrees, they will then give a binder to the broker who will then present it to you. The binder includes all the terms and conditions of the insurance contract you will enter into.
Pros and cons of life insurance brokers
Pros
You'll have more chance of finding tailored cover, and you could avoid the disappointment of being denied cover.
An experienced broker could help you with various other insurance needs.
Brokers can offer ongoing care, helping you to make sure you stay on the right deal for your needs.
Cons
You'll need to pay a fee for their service.
Using a broker on a one-off basis can be a less financially viable option.
The products they help you pick might be influenced by any deals or agreements they have with their providers or contacts.
Speak with an insurance broker today
Life insurance brokers vs going direct
Here are some things that you may want to consider when deciding whether or not you require a life insurance broker:
Cost. Finding a policy on your own, without the help of a broker, could be more cost-effective as you do not need to pay a professional fee for a service. You can save money by going online and using the services of a comparison site such as Life Insurance Finder, where you get to compare multiple policies from Australian providers. On the other hand, given the way a broker will know the ins and outs of the market, they could stop you from buying more cover than you really need.
Time. Looking around for different policies on the market can be a significant investment of your time, if you're not sure what you are looking for. This may be particularly true for first-time buyers who may not have a wealth of knowledge of life insurance at hand. With the help of an insurance broker, you can get access to information and recommendations to life insurance policies that are tailored to your situation, without costing too much of your time.
Effort. Finding a policy on your own gives you the advantage of making a decision at your own pace. On the other hand, getting some assistance from an expert can save you from being overwhelmed by a wealth of information from multiple sources, some of which might be unfamiliar. An insurance broker's expertise can be very valuable, finding various solutions that could put you at an advantage in your search for cover.
What are the key responsibilities of a broker?
Insurance brokers have a duty of care to you as the customer and their actions should therefore be focused on helping you to get suitable coverage at a competitive price.
Other key duties and responsibilities include:
Acting with integrity and honesty at all times when it comes to dealing with clients and insurers.
Avoiding conflicts of interest, and disclosing any partnerships.
Ensuring that any fees, commissions or other benefits they will receive are disclosed to the customer.
Adhering to client confidentiality regulations and data protection rules.
Complying with the Insurance (Agents & Brokers) Act 1984, the Insurance Contracts Act 1984, the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the State Fair Trading Acts.
Ensuring that the accuracy of the insurance documentation is checked.
Making sure that no non-disclosure or misrepresentation takes place.
Fees and costs explained
Given that life insurance premiums can vary a lot, it's hard to give a specific range of the fees you might expect to pay to a broker. Broadly, you might pay them 10–25% of a base premium amount. That's assuming they are charging a one-off fee for one service. You might reduce this if you use the same broker for a number of other insurances, including if you agree to an ongoing fee instead.
How to look for an experienced life insurance broker
Being able to find a good insurance broker is like finding a gem, and in order to do that you have to know where to look for it and the standards you can use in spotting a good insurance broker. There are several places and methods where you can find an insurance broker, some of which we've listed below.
Through word of mouth. You may have family and friends who have used or are using the services of an insurance broker. One of the advantages of finding an insurance broker through your circle of friends is that you can get first-hand information and an honest review about a certain broker. However, you should also try to do a little homework when checking out the broker being referred to you, as rapport between a client and a broker is very important.
At online review sites. Another easy way to find an insurance broker is by clicking your mouse and browsing through different review sites dedicated to insurance brokers. Exercise caution and discernment when using this method though, in order to sort out which review is real and which is not. You can do this by checking out the brokers within your area and set up an appointment with them in order to assess them. Examine their credentials, track record and credible customer reviews.
At the NIBA. The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) is another good place. Looking for a broker through the NIBA gives you the assurance that you are getting someone who is licensed and certified.
5 key tips for sourcing a quality insurance broker
It might be fairly straightforward to work out where to find an insurance broker, but it can still be quite a feat to find a good one. Keep in mind the following:
An insurance broker should disclose their commission
Also bear in mind that an insurance broker should not charge you a separate fee when helping you secure an insurance policy.
An insurance broker should help you in every step of the process
This includes reminding you of the necessary actions you need to take while processing your insurance application, such as getting a physical or medical examination.
An insurance broker should not force a policy on you
A good insurance broker should consider your needs and give you ample time to sort through various policies and think through your decision. They should never impose a policy on you nor hasten you to make a decision.
An insurance broker should have a wide range of insurers in their portfolio
A good insurance broker is someone who has a wide portfolio of various insurance providers. The reason for this is so they can give you more options and expose you to better policies.
An insurance broker should be licensed
Looking into the broker's credentials can help you confirm that you're dealing with someone who is accredited by the state. You should also search out past reviews with previous clients.
You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.
We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).
We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.
Why you can trust Finder's life insurance experts
You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching life insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
Frequently asked questions
It can be worth using a broker if you want someone to organise insurance on your behalf or you have more complex needs. For example, if you've been turned down for life cover in the past.
Some of the key disadvantages include being charged a commission or broker fee and the possibility the broker will be influenced by deals or agreements they have with particular insurers.
You can avoid these issues by buying directly from the insurer, but you'll be responsible for reading through policy documents and making sure your chosen cover is suitable.
An insurance agent acts on behalf of an insurance company or group of companies and an insurance broker represents you as a buyer. While the agent can provide general advice and in-depth information about one insurer's product offering, an insurance broker can take into account your personal situation to present suitable options for you across a range of insurers.
A life insurance broker works as an intermediary between a person buying life insurance and the insurance company. Life insurance brokers must act in the interests of their customers.
James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
James's expertise
James has written 258 Finder guides across topics including:
Cristal Dyer is a travel writer at Finder. She has been writing about travel for over five years and has visited over 40 countries around the world. Cristal currently travels full-time, writing about her favourite cities and food finds, and she is always on the lookout for amazing flight deals to share. See full bio
Find out what life insurance policies are on offer from MLC and receive a free quote for cover. Apply securely with the help of an insurance consultant.
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You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching life insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
