Why working with an independent broker beats going direct

When you buy insurance directly from an insurer, you get one company’s products, one company’s prices and one company’s view of your risk. When you work with an independent broker, you get access to the wider market — and a professional whose job is to represent your interests rather than the insurer’s.

Advice that starts with you, not a product

An insurer’s sales team is there to sell that insurer’s policies. A broker starts from the other end: understanding your circumstances, identifying the risks you actually face and only then looking for the cover that addresses them. That often uncovers gaps you didn’t know you had — and occasionally reveals that you are paying for cover you don’t need.

More choice, better terms

Symmetric works with a panel of reputable, licensed insurers. Because we place business with several of them, we can compare premiums, excesses, exclusions and service standards side by side. For larger or more complex risks, we can approach multiple insurers at once and negotiate terms that a single insurer may not have offered on its own.

An advocate when it matters most

The true test of any insurance policy is the claim. When you deal directly with an insurer, you are negotiating with the party that pays the claim. When you work with a broker, you have an experienced professional on your side who knows the policy wording, understands the claims process and will push for a fair and timely settlement on your behalf.

Does it cost more?

In most cases, no. Brokers are typically remunerated through commission paid by the insurer, which is already built into the premium. That means you usually pay the same — or less, given the comparison and negotiation involved — while gaining independent advice and ongoing support throughout the life of your policy.

Regulated and accountable

Insurance brokers in Zambia must be licensed by the Pensions and Insurance Authority. Symmetric Insurance Solutions holds Insurance Broker’s Licence No. 2023/IB/25, which means we operate to the regulator’s standards of conduct, professionalism and financial discipline.