How to Find Cheaper Insurance

Insurance Broker, Company, or Price Comparison Website; What's Best?

Oct 8, 2009

Everyone wants cheaper car insurance, and to save money on their home insurance. So where is the best place to go to get a good deal? Here are some hints and tips.

For cheaper car or home insurance, is it better to go directly to the insurance company, to use an insurance broker, or to compare insurance using one of the ever increasing number of online price comparison websites? Here is a brief guide to the advantages and disadvantages of all three methods.

Price Comparison Websites for Insurance

The number of these websites is continually growing. The prospective customer can select the type of insurance they want, and what exactly they would like covered. The site will then give them a selection of quotes, from which the customer can choose the one they would like. Sometimes very good deals can be obtained this way, and many people have obtained cheaper home insurance or a reduction on their car insurance by using this method. However, some of the sites are not that user-friendly for people who are not experts in either insurance or internet use. Also, some insurance companies, often the cheaper ones, cannot be found on these sites. And some people prefer a more personal approach.

Going Directly to an Insurance Company

Some people prefer to telephone an insurance company to discuss their needs, and perhaps to obtain advice. Also, some insurance companies cannot be found through price comparison websites. Direct Line is a popular UK insurance company which has some very cheap insurance rates, but is not available through comparison websites. Obtaining insurance in this way is not necessarily more expensive than any other, and does offer a personal approach. However, it is sensible to phone several companies, get a few insurance quotes, and compare the insurance offered before choosing which to use.

Using an Insurance Broker

Insurance brokers will do the comparing for the customer, and offer a personal service too. They do not charge a fee to the customer, but make their money from the insurance companies. Many people have obtained cheaper insurance this way. And the author of this article knows of people who have found cheaper car insurance through a broker than by using price comparison websites.

Probably the best thing to do is to use all three methods when looking for cheaper insurance. It is also quite acceptable to take a note of any quotes from a price comparison website or a company, then ask an insurance broker if they can match the quote given. In many instances they will be able to do so. Haggling is quite acceptable when it comes to trying to obtain cheaper insurance!

The copyright of the article How to Find Cheaper Insurance in Insurance is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish How to Find Cheaper Insurance in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.