- Date : 17/03/2020
- Read: 4 mins
Understanding the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker is critical to making the right choice when buying a policy.
Knowing the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker is the key to understanding how you as an insurance policyholder can make the best use of their services for the purchase of a new insurance policy and for other financial requirements.
We help you understand what exactly insurance agents and brokers do, so you can make an informed choice while buying insurance.
Related: Income protection plans: ensure your family is always protected
Difference between an insurance agent and a broker
Who is an insurance agent?
An independent insurance agent or insurance sales agent typically sells you a variety of financial products, like property insurance, casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, etc. The insurance agent can be a person who acts as an intermediary between the insurance company and the person availing insurance.
Who is an insurance broker?
An insurance broker sells, solicits or negotiates insurance for compensation. A broker works independently, meaning they can offer you a host of insurance products and services to consider. Insurance brokers and brokerage firms have a higher responsibility for helping you choose the best financial product that fits your needs.
| Parameters | Insurance Agent | Insurance Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Whom do they represent? | An Insurance Company. You are their customer. | You, meaning you are their client |
| What do they do? | Offer you products available with the insurance company with whom they are associated. Responsible for accurate processing of forms, paperwork and premiums | Help you choose the most suitable insurance policy amongst different insurance companies and products |
| How do they work? | An insurance agent can represent a maximum of 1 life insurance, 1 general insurance and 1 health insurance company and can give you detailed insights about | They can give you information about several insurance companies and help you compare their products |
Let’s start from the basics. If you are looking to get a new insurance policy or wish to ensure that the policy you currently have best suits your interests, your go-to person is an insurance broker. Brokers are issued a broker’s license by IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) which gives them additional expertise and technical knowledge.
How can they assist you?
Brokers can be sued in case they fail to deliver what was promised. The IRDA can cancel the broker’s license if found guilty. As brokers, they are bound to offer products from multiple insurers at the same time, helping you choose the one that best suits your interests.
Related: What makes buying life insurance online click?
An insurance company hires insurance agents who can reach out to customers individually. An agent in insurance is only responsible for accurately filling and processing forms, ensuring the paperwork is in place and ensure timely premiums. An insurance agent’s primary duty is to ensure that you get the appropriate coverage as has been promised by the insurance company. Insurance agents can give you an in-depth information of the insurance company they represent and the products they have on offer. It is your obligation to make sure the insurance you have chosen covers your interests fully. In addition to insurance policies, licensed agents can also offer you mutual funds, annuities, and products that address wealth management, estate planning, and retirement.
Related: Are you aware of new amendments made to the Motor Vehicles Act?
Although insurance agents cannot be sued, they can be reported about to the IRDAI or the insurance company they represent. If found guilty, the insurance company can revoke the agent’s license.
Closing thoughts
Reliability and trust are crucial factors for you to consider when deciding which insurance policy you should invest in. The first step to trust is knowledge, and that’s where knowing the difference between an insurance agency and insurance broker can help you. But no matter what you are advised, the final decision always lies with you, so be wise. To start off with, here are 5 questions you must ask before you buy insurance.
Knowing the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance broker is the key to understanding how you as an insurance policyholder can make the best use of their services for the purchase of a new insurance policy and for other financial requirements.
We help you understand what exactly insurance agents and brokers do, so you can make an informed choice while buying insurance.
Related: Income protection plans: ensure your family is always protected
Difference between an insurance agent and a broker
Who is an insurance agent?
An independent insurance agent or insurance sales agent typically sells you a variety of financial products, like property insurance, casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, etc. The insurance agent can be a person who acts as an intermediary between the insurance company and the person availing insurance.
Who is an insurance broker?
An insurance broker sells, solicits or negotiates insurance for compensation. A broker works independently, meaning they can offer you a host of insurance products and services to consider. Insurance brokers and brokerage firms have a higher responsibility for helping you choose the best financial product that fits your needs.
| Parameters | Insurance Agent | Insurance Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Whom do they represent? | An Insurance Company. You are their customer. | You, meaning you are their client |
| What do they do? | Offer you products available with the insurance company with whom they are associated. Responsible for accurate processing of forms, paperwork and premiums | Help you choose the most suitable insurance policy amongst different insurance companies and products |
| How do they work? | An insurance agent can represent a maximum of 1 life insurance, 1 general insurance and 1 health insurance company and can give you detailed insights about | They can give you information about several insurance companies and help you compare their products |
Let’s start from the basics. If you are looking to get a new insurance policy or wish to ensure that the policy you currently have best suits your interests, your go-to person is an insurance broker. Brokers are issued a broker’s license by IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) which gives them additional expertise and technical knowledge.
How can they assist you?
Brokers can be sued in case they fail to deliver what was promised. The IRDA can cancel the broker’s license if found guilty. As brokers, they are bound to offer products from multiple insurers at the same time, helping you choose the one that best suits your interests.
Related: What makes buying life insurance online click?
An insurance company hires insurance agents who can reach out to customers individually. An agent in insurance is only responsible for accurately filling and processing forms, ensuring the paperwork is in place and ensure timely premiums. An insurance agent’s primary duty is to ensure that you get the appropriate coverage as has been promised by the insurance company. Insurance agents can give you an in-depth information of the insurance company they represent and the products they have on offer. It is your obligation to make sure the insurance you have chosen covers your interests fully. In addition to insurance policies, licensed agents can also offer you mutual funds, annuities, and products that address wealth management, estate planning, and retirement.
Related: Are you aware of new amendments made to the Motor Vehicles Act?
Although insurance agents cannot be sued, they can be reported about to the IRDAI or the insurance company they represent. If found guilty, the insurance company can revoke the agent’s license.
Closing thoughts
Reliability and trust are crucial factors for you to consider when deciding which insurance policy you should invest in. The first step to trust is knowledge, and that’s where knowing the difference between an insurance agency and insurance broker can help you. But no matter what you are advised, the final decision always lies with you, so be wise. To start off with, here are 5 questions you must ask before you buy insurance.
