The steps, in order
- Write down what you have now. Each policy, its insurer and renewal date, and the problems your team handles between renewals.
- Check each firm. Look it up on the FCA register, and its principal if it is an appointed representative.
- Ask whether it advises. Ask whether it recommends a policy or arranges what you choose, and how wide a range of insurers it looks at. Types of employee benefits broker sets the options side by side.
- Ask how it is paid. Commission is usually built into the premium; ask whether any fee sits on top. See do you pay a fee for a benefits broker.
- Test the service. Walk each firm through a real situation from between renewals, and ask for sample records with client details removed.
- Get it in writing. The service scope, the people doing the work and any charges, before you appoint anyone.
Check the firm and the service
Use the FCA's guidance to check the firm, its permissions and the contact details you have been given. If the firm is an appointed representative, check its principal and the activities it can undertake. A listing is not a recommendation of that firm's service.
Compare the work between renewals
Describe a situation your People team actually faces: a joiner waiting for cover, an employee who cannot find a claim form, or an insurer query that nobody has resolved. Ask the broker to walk through who does what, how you raise the issue and what record you receive when it is closed.
Use the same questions with every firm. Ask to see a sample service calendar, renewal report and issue record with all client information removed. Write down what the broker will do, what your team must do and what the insurer decides.
Use the broker-work checklist. The 51-Week Benefits Broker Standard records Alltoogether's twelve service expectations. It is our published standard, not an external accreditation.
Check the cover and advice you need
List your existing arrangements and the questions you need answered before asking for a proposal. Ask which products and insurers the firm can advise on, where its service stops, and who handles work that needs a different specialist. Ask it to explain the proposed arrangement and any charges in writing before you agree.
The benefit guides explain the questions to take into a discussion about individual products. They do not select a policy for your organisation.
For advised, non-advised, platform, consultancy and direct side by side, see types of employee benefits broker.
How to switch employee benefits broker
If you are considering an alternative to your current consultancy, write down what you want to change in the service. Compare the proposed responsibilities, the people doing the work, the information you will receive and the cover that needs protecting during a transition.
Changing the adviser and changing the insurance are separate decisions. Ask what appointment documentation, insurer agreement and member information your circumstances require. Agree the sequence before cancelling or changing anything.
Appointing a different broker is usually a letter of appointment for each policy, sent to the insurer, and a standard employee data export. It does not by itself change your cover, your insurer, your premiums or your renewal dates. The new broker tells each insurer and takes over the servicing of each policy.
Changing insurer is a bigger question, because continuity of treatment for anyone mid-claim and the treatment of existing conditions on a new underwriting basis both need settling first. Give the new broker time to gather the claims and membership information before the next renewal.
Questions people ask
How do I choose an employee benefits broker?
Start with the work you need the broker to do. Check the firm on the FCA register, ask whether it advises and how wide a range of insurers it looks at, ask how it is paid, and walk it through a real situation from between renewals. Compare the answers against a written service scope.
How do I switch employee benefits broker?
Appointing a different broker is usually a letter of appointment for each policy and a standard employee data export. The new broker tells each insurer and takes over servicing. Agree the sequence first, and give the new broker time before the next renewal.
Does changing broker change our insurance?
Not by itself. Appointing a different broker does not change your cover, your insurer, your premiums or your renewal dates. Changing insurer is a separate decision, because continuity of treatment for anyone mid-claim and the underwriting basis need settling first.
How do employee benefits brokers get paid?
Usually by commission from the insurers, built into the premium you already pay. Some brokers add a platform or management fee on top, so ask for every charge in writing.
Speaking to Alltoogether
Alltoogether is a UK employee-benefits broker. You can use these questions with us. Our service and transition explanation sets out how we approach the work; the service scope for your arrangements is agreed before you appoint us.