What is an insurance broker?

Howden Insurance is one of the UK’s biggest insurance brokers. Put simply, an insurance broker is an intermediary between a client (that’s you) and one or multiple insurance companies. And at Howden, we go even further with branches available across the country, catering to the needs of our local communities, in-person and over the phone.

We know that insurance companies don’t always advertise all their different types of cover on their websites or comparison sites. Some insurances, such as income protection or critical illness need to be tailored to suit your individual needs. You also won’t find cover for niche areas on most comparison sites. So, if you need to cover an unusual property, a high-value antique or a high-performance car, for example, our brokers can help with those too.

We think it’s important to take advice from the experts to ensure you are effectively covered in the event of claim. Our expert brokers take the time to get to know you and fully understand your individual circumstances. They search through all available the insurance products to find the one that is just right for you – and at the right price.

What’s more, our advisors don’t earn commission. Their independence ensures they are focused on you. Our expert teams make understanding your individual needs and finding the perfect cover their priority – all delivered with a friendly and experienced approach.

Looking for an insurance broker near me? Visit out Branch Finder and find out your nearest Howden Branch is.


The Howden difference

If you need to make a claim, our brokers can help by speaking to loss adjusters and insurance claims departments to make the process as smooth as possible.

We do much more than just ‘broker a deal’. We offer, impartial, qualified expertise and advice from real people who are easy to talk to and dedicated to helping you find what you need.

We’re located in convenient sites across the UK, meaning that you can quickly and simply consult with an expert about products and claims. Our branch teams mean you can speak to the same, trusted advisors whenever you need to.


Benefits of an Insurance Broker

Multiple Options

Insurance companies don’t always advertise all their different types of cover on their websites or comparison sites. Our brokers are able to search through all available insurance products to find the one that is just right for you.

Finding the right product for you

Our brokers will understand your personal circumstances and requirements to find you the right policy. They’ll also check your existing policies to make sure you don’t double up on something you’re already covered for. They get the best prices by comparing product features and ensuring you only pay for what you really need. And as real people, they can also be more flexible on pricing than comparison sites.

Finding specialist providers

Some insurances, such as income protection or critical illness need to be tailored to your individual needs, so buying them through a comparison site could mean you buy cover that isn’t right for your needs.

You also won’t find cover for niche areas on most comparison sites, so if you need to cover an unusual property, a high-value antique or a high performance car, for example, our brokers can help.

Claims - no hassle.

If you need to make a claim, our brokers can help with speaking to loss adjusters and insurance claims departments to make the process as smooth as possible.

  • We do much more than just ‘broker a deal’. We offer, impartial, qualified expertise and advice from real people who are easy to talk to and dedicated to helping you find what you need.
  • Our high street branches are located in convenient sites, meaning that you can quickly and simply consult with an expert about products and claims.
  • We’re proud to say our people are some of the best and they stay with us for a long time, giving you continuity in your dealings with Howden.
  • We’re also proud of our long-term relationships with insurers which mean we are in a position to negotiate great prices for you.

And we are more than impartial — we are on your side. With our long-term relationships with insurers, we are in a position to negotiate the claims on your behalf.


FAQ's

Who are you regulated by?

A-Plan Holdings is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can confirm our registration on the FCA website, Financial Services Register or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768.


Do you have to be qualified to be an insurance broker?

No you don’t. However, all our advisors take the CII Certificate of General Insurance in their first year of working with us.


How is Howden different from other insurance brokers?

We’ve been offering a personal and great value to service to clients since the 1960’s. We now have over half a million policy holders — for just about every kind of insurance. We’re very proud to be rated as "Excellent on TrustPilot" with over 20,000 reviews and the fact that many of our clients choose to come back to us again and again.


How will I know I get a fair price?

We guarantee to seek out the best quotes for our clients — in terms of price and cover. We are completely independent and impartial and can, therefore, always act with our clients’ best interests at heart.


What happens if I need to make a claim?

Making a claim can be stressful so we’re here to help. We help guide you through the whole process, either by talking to a claims adviser on the phone or in your local branch and they will be able to negotiate on your behalf.