There was uproar in certain parts of the media last week when it was revealed that insurance comparison websites are directing customers towards insurance policies that generate greater commission for the websites. The practice was condemned as deceitful and unethical, but why?

The whole point of using an agent is surely to save us, the customers, both time and money and if those objectives are achieved then why begrudge the agent his slice of the action?

Insurance brokers, financial advisers and the like can make a small fortune from the sale of pension, life insurance and other policies. No doubt some are less than honest and will invariably seek to put the earning of commission above service to the customer, but that short sighted practice is unlikely to see them survive in business for very long.

Common sense tells us that the best defence against exploitation is to shop around and speak to as many agents as we feel necessary. The final choice is ours and ultimately, as long as the customer receives what he wants and needs does it really matter what the agent or intermediary earns from the deal?