Recent independent research commissioned by the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has quantified what many business owners already know intuitively: working with a professional insurance adviser delivers measurable value that goes far beyond simply placing a policy. 

Understanding the Insurance Adviser Advantage 

The landmark research, titled “Complexity to Clarity: The Broker Advantage,” surveyed 409 Australian business decision-makers and owners to understand the tangible impact insurance advisers have on business outcomes. The 7 findings are compelling and reinforce why partnering with an experienced insurance broker makes sound business sense. 

1. Save Valuable Time with Expert Insurance Guidance

Time is one of your most valuable resources as a business owner. The research found that engaging an insurance adviser saves businesses an average of 20 hours across the insurance process. This includes time saved understanding insurance needs (3.2 hours), finding and comparing policies (4.8 hours), completing paperwork and applications (2.3 hours), managing renewals (2.5 hours), and supporting claims (7.2 hours).

That’s 20 hours you can reinvest into running and growing your business, focusing on what you do best while your adviser handles the complexity of insurance management. 

2. Build Trust and Confidence in Your Insurance Program 

Trust is the foundation of any successful advisory relationship. The research revealed that 84% of businesses trust their adviser to act in their best interests, while 88% have confidence that their insurance cover is right for their business. 

At Clear Insurance, we earn this trust through expertise, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. We take the time to understand your business, explain your options clearly, and ensure you have appropriate protection in place. 

3. Expert Claims Support When It Matters Most

When a claim occurs, having an advocate in your corner makes all the difference. The research demonstrated strong client satisfaction with claims assistance: 

• 95% of businesses view their adviser as critical to claims resolution 
• 98% report their claims have been successfully resolved 
• 95% say their adviser helped speed up the claims process 
• 91% believe their adviser’s involvement helped achieve a better outcome 

As one business owner from the survey noted: “We had a lot on our hands to deal with at that moment. It was our broker that did the job almost to its entirety. At the end we still got a perfect result.” 

Such an approach reflects our core value of care. At Clear Insurance, we stand beside you during challenging times, managing the claims process and advocating for fair outcomes so you can focus on business recovery. 

4. Comprehensive Risk Transfer Advice and Protection

Insurance advisers don’t just place policies; they help identify risks you may not have considered. The research found that 94% of businesses enhanced their risk transfer approach through additional cover or adjustments recommended by their adviser. 

Importantly, 89% of businesses felt this risk identification was helpful and valuable, with three in four taking action to either purchase additional cover or implement other risk management strategies. 

Such an approach demonstrates our commitment to competence. At Clear Insurance, we leverage our industry knowledge and experience to identify gaps in coverage and recommend solutions tailored to your specific business risks. 

5. Experience a Smoother Insurance Journey

Managing insurance doesn’t have to be stressful. The research showed 87% overall satisfaction with adviser services, with clients consistently praising advisers for “doing the heavy lifting” and making the process smooth and transparent. 

At Clear Insurance, our dedication to clarity means we explain insurance in plain language, walk you through your options, and ensure you understand what you’re covered for. No jargon, no confusion, just straightforward advice you can act on. 

6. Achieve Better Business Outcomes 

Perhaps most significantly, 91% of businesses say their insurance adviser helped them achieve better business outcomes, reinforcing the adviser’s role as a strategic partner rather than simply a transaction facilitator. 

7. Preparing for Future Business Challenges 

As businesses look toward 2035, the research reveals that client expectations are evolving. 79% of businesses believe they will need more strategic advice from their advisers in the coming decade, as they navigate: 

• Increased use of technology and automation (83% expect this to affect their business) 
• New and emerging risks (82%)
• Greater regulatory complexity (75%)
• More tailored insurance products (82%) 

Why Choose Clear Insurance as Your Insurance Adviser 

At Clear Insurance, we’re proud members of NIBA and subscribe to the NIBA Code of Conduct, demonstrating our commitment to professionalism, transparency, and ethical practice. As part of the Steadfast network (Australasia’s largest general insurance broker network), we combine local expertise with access to competitive insurance solutions and market-leading support. 

Our role isn’t just to find you insurance; it’s to understand your business, identify your risks, secure appropriate protection, and stand beside you when claims arise. We transform complexity into clarity, giving you the confidence to focus on what you do best. 

Experience Professional Insurance Advice for Your Business

If you’re currently managing your business insurance alone or unsure whether your current cover truly meets your needs, we’d welcome the opportunity to demonstrate the Clear Insurance difference. 

Contact Clear Insurance today for a no-obligation risk and insurance review that provides a detailed gap analysis of your risk transfer and insurance program. It’s the ideal way to receive an honest overview of your insurance program with the insights you need to make informed decisions about your next steps.  

Research Sources: 

This article references independent research commissioned by the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA): 

• “Complexity to Clarity: The Broker Advantage” research report (February 2026) 

• NIBA media release: “NIBA Unveils Sector-Defining Consumer Research” (18 February 2026) 

• Research fieldwork conducted by CoreData between September and October 2025, surveying 409 Australian business decision-makers and owners 

About NIBA: The National Insurance Brokers Association is the peak representative body for the general intermediated insurance market, representing approximately 380 member firms and over 14,000 brokers and authorised representatives across Australia. 

Is there a distinction in the services provided by an insurance broker or insurance adviser?

The straight answer is no. They are one and the same. They are both professionals and experts in helping business owners understand their business risk exposure from an insurance perspective and advise on how to transfer risk to insurance.

What Is an Insurance Broker?

An insurance broker is a professional specifically trained in the fields of risk identification and transfer to insurance. Business owners often seek the help of insurance brokers when they are unable to purchase insurance directly from insurers.

The reliance a business has on an insurance broker can depend on the company’s size and the complexity of its insurance needs.

Brokers establish relationships with clients to understand their insurance needs. They provide expert advice and negotiate premiums on behalf of clients for a fee. The fees can vary based on the level of service offered. Brokers may charge a fee only with no commission. Alternatively, they may charge a low broking fee and receive commissions from insurers for the products they recommend.

Insurance brokers seek risk transfer terms and pricing from multiple insurers and underwriting agencies. They act in the interests of their clients by presenting what they know about your company and its risks to insurers. They compare the market, advocate for your company and negotiate with the insurance market to ensure you have the most appropriate insurance solutions for your needs. 

What is an Insurance Adviser?

There is no difference in the work of an insurance adviser to that of an insurance broker. It’s another term for the same occupation. Whether they refer to themselves as an insurance broker or insurance adviser, they are experts in transferring risk to insurance.

What the term “adviser” often signals is a positioning choice: a focus on long-term relationships and strategic guidance rather than transaction-only placement. Advisers who take this approach function like your accountant or legal professional, understanding your business and helping you make informed decisions over time.

They take a holistic approach. They review all your risks against existing insurance policies, help to streamline policies, and address gaps in your insurance coverage that may leave your business vulnerable. They may recommend independent valuations to ensure accurate sums insured and explain the risk transfer strategies available to protect your business. They focus on delivering bespoke risk advice tailored to your specific business stage and circumstances.

This kind of advisory support becomes particularly valuable during significant business changes, such as expansion or contraction, new contractual arrangements, asset purchases, changes to your services or operations. While some business owners choose to purchase certain elements of insurance directly from insurers, there are components that require professional guidance. And some business owners have a heavy reliance on insurance advisers because they value their expertise for peace of mind.

Others prefer purchasing insurance directly and only consulting an adviser when complexity demands it. Neither approach is wrong; it depends entirely on your business and your preferences.

Understanding How Advisers/Brokers Are Paid

Australian insurance regulation requires transparency around adviser remuneration, especially for individual consumers. You have every right to know whether your adviser earns commission, receives fees, or both, and to understand how this might influence their recommendations.

An adviser’s payment model may affect the advice you receive, sometimes consciously and sometimes not. Commission-heavy models can subtly favour higher coverage or more policies. Fee-only removes that temptation and makes costs explicit upfront. Hybrid models work when the adviser is transparent about commission and genuinely independent in their recommendations.

When you’re evaluating an adviser, ask directly: What’s your fee structure? What do you charge for your time? If you earn commission, what’s typical? How often do different insurers pay you different rates? A good adviser answers these questions openly and can explain how their remuneration is aligned with your interests, not against them.

Clear Insurance’s Approach

Clear Insurance operates on a fee-for-service basis. We don’t earn commission. This reflects a simple principle: the best insurance outcomes come from independent advice focused on your interests.

We specialise in working with specific industries where complexity demands expertise: clubs and hospitality, allied health professionals, construction, professional services, technology companies, family offices, manufacturing, not-for-profits, property owners, and prestige insurance. We build deep expertise in the risks these businesses face, the underwriters who understand them, and the insurance structures that work best in each sector.

Because we’re paid for our advice, not our placement volume, we can recommend what’s genuinely best for your business, even if that means fewer policies, simpler structures, or lower premiums than you might expect. We stay involved over time. We don’t disappear after placement; we review your arrangements annually, stay current on market movements in your industry, and advise you when your business changes.

Choosing an Adviser

The question isn’t whether to use an adviser, it’s how to find one who understands your business and delivers genuine value. Ask your network for referrals. Personal recommendations from trusted peers tell you more than marketing ever could.

When you speak to potential advisers, ask practical questions. How do they assess your insurance needs? Do they visit your business, or work from a questionnaire? Do they have other clients in your industry? What are their fees? Do they earn commission, and if so, from which insurers? How will they service your business beyond year one? Can they provide references from businesses like yours?

Look for an adviser who demonstrates care (they ask thoughtful questions and listen; you feel supported, not sold to), clarity (they explain things plainly without jargon; you understand what they recommend and why), and competence (they know their craft, stay current on regulations, understand your industry’s specific risks, and have strong underwriter relationships).

If an adviser demonstrates these qualities, you’re good to go. If something feels off, if they’re pushy, vague about fees, or dismissive of your questions, keep looking.

Getting Started

If you’d like to talk to an experienced insurance adviser about your insurance program, we’d be happy to discuss your situation without obligation. Contact Clear Insurance on 1300 721 132 or email info@clearinsurance.com.au to arrange a confidential conversation about your business and its insurance needs.

Last updated: 8 September 2026

Here are our top seven reasons to call your risk & insurance adviser:

1. Major Business Changes

Whether recruiting, building new premises, planning new product lines, adding more revenue streams, or making ownership changes, keep your insurance adviser in the loop.

Why? You may overlook the insurance implications or risks that expose your business to underinsurance, higher premiums or, even worse, no cover!

The earlier you chat with your adviser, the better. It’ll help you decide whether to transfer the new risks to insurance, implement risk mitigation strategies or update your insurance program.

2. Budget Setting

When setting annual budgets for the business, consider how your plans may affect your insurance premiums.

Calling your insurance adviser will inform you of what’s happening in the insurance market. They can explain the impact to existing insurance premiums and the steps you can take to prepare.

Additionally, your adviser can ensure you allocate an adequate budget for any insurance adjustments you may need to protect new assets and business changes.

3. Entering New Business Contracts

Before you sign on the dotted line, talk to your insurance adviser.

Why? The contract may include clauses that result in you:

• Breaching the terms and conditions of your existing insurance policies
• Restricting the level or type of insurance available due to your business set-up, financial position or operations

Your adviser can help ensure that the contract’s insurance requirements are appropriate for all parties.

In the current economic climate, there’s a tendency to shift risk from the core business to contractors. Therefore, chatting with your insurance adviser can provide peace of mind before you sign.

4. Purchasing Assets

Call your insurance adviser before buying equipment, vehicles, or other assets.

Why? Seeking insurance advice after purchasing assets can expose your business to unwanted financial risk, not just replacement costs, which could affect your cash flow.

For example, say you buy new machinery overseas, which breaks down, and replacement parts take six months to arrive. Due to the machinery being out of action, the company may lose vital income, which the existing insurance may not cover.

5. Cash Flow

Cutting your insurance to save dollars may be tempting when cash flow is tight. Instead, you should contact your insurance adviser to discuss your options.

For example, say you need to downsize or make changes in hard times. In that case, there may be savings you can make by reviewing your insurance cover.

Deciding to cut insurance on a whim can expose your business to further financial risk or business closure. Therefore, chat with your adviser about your options to help you make an informed decision.

For example, your adviser may help review your insurance program by:

• Determining the financial risk(s) the business cannot afford to absorb
• Presenting alternative excess options
• Exploring flexible payment options

For example, your business may have adequate financial resources to pay for broken laptops. Therefore, you may forgo the property damage cover for laptops. However, the company may need more financial resources to pay for the costs incurred to defend a claim made against the company’s Directors & Officers or cover financial losses to your business, customers or third parties. Therefore, your adviser may recommend maintaining your management liability and cyber insurance policies.

6. Reporting Incidents & Potential Claims

When incidents relate to your business, customers, staff, property or other potential claim events, promptly informing your insurance adviser is vital.

Why? It protects your business should a claim arise. That’s because your adviser can explain the insurance implications, advise on what to prepare and inform your insurer.

Some insurance policies require you to report incidents immediately. Otherwise, insurers may not pay out at claim time.

For example:

Situation

A not-for-profit terminates an employment contract due to ongoing behavioural issues. The organisation reports the dismissal to their insurance adviser as required under their Management Liability policy. In the meantime, the employee lodges an unfair dismissal claim with Fair Work.

Outcome:

By reporting the incident to the adviser, the adviser will notify the insurer and work with the insured organisation to guide them through the claims process. Should Fair Work pursue the claim, the organisation’s policy responds per the insurer’s terms and conditions, such as covering legal costs and compensation payments for a wrongful act where the organisation is found negligent.

If the organisation fails to inform their adviser and the insurer is not notified of the circumstances that may give rise to a claim within the required time frame or current policy period, the organisation may breach the policy terms and conditions. Therefore, the policy may not respond, resulting in no cover.

Calling your insurance adviser minimises the risk of breaching the terms of your insurance policy.

7. Sharing Your News

Insurance is a relationship business, and we love to hear your news. Whether it’s achieving major milestones or business struggles, we’re here to listen and help.

We work with many businesses and assist with all manner of insurance issues. As such, we may have a solution or business connection that helps to change everything.

Are you looking for a professional risk & insurance adviser?

Clear Insurance’s experienced team are here to help safeguard your business. Take advantage of our Risk and Insurance Review which provides a tailored assessment of your current and emerging business risks. Our advisers guide you through the available risk management strategies and how to use insurance as an effective risk transfer tool. Upon completion, you receive a detailed gap analysis report that you can use as a catalyst for making informed changes to your existing insurance program.

We always welcome your call. Contact the Clear Insurance team today.

About the Reserve Bank Panel

The panel was established in 1993 to discuss the issues small businesses face when securing finance to support growth and the impact the economic environment has on small business.

The panel meets annually and comprises of small business representatives from each State of Australia across a broad range of industries to help analysts understand the issues.

After attending the first meeting in July, the contributions made by the panellists, including Lisa, are considered “invaluable in improving the Bank’s understanding of the issues confronting small businesses”, said Christopher Kent in a letter to Lisa.

Lisa says, “It’s an absolute privilege to represent Queensland and the Insurance Industry on the Panel. As an insurance adviser and small business owner, I can advocate for a broad spectrum of industries and share the issues affecting businesses and our industry because of the current economic climate.”

What’s the Outcome?

High level insights from the Panel’s discussions are presented to the Reserve Bank of Australia Board and included in the upcoming Bulletin which is due for publication in September.

The Panel is due to meet again next year.

That’s why Clear Insurance is crystal clear about its industry-leading fee-for-service approach.

Broker Fees with a Difference

Clear Insurance led the way over 12 months ago with its game-changing decision to decline insurer commissions and move to a transparent fee-for-service approach.

To explain, Clear Managing Director Lisa Carter says, ‘with a transparent fee-for-service approach, clients know we place their business interests front and centre.’

To put it another way, ‘It means business leaders can have complete confidence that the risk and insurance guidance we provide suits business needs,’ continues Lisa.

Commission Disclosure is Critical

Clear Insurance wholeheartedly agrees with the comment consultant John Trowbridge made at the recent National Insurance Brokers Association convention. It was at this event that he highlighted the lack of transparency around general insurance remuneration is a problem.

Later this year, the Federal Government will complete its ‘Quality of Advice’ review to examine the quality of financial advice across the board. Firstly, it’s a welcome and critical pathway in driving a brighter future for the risk and insurance industry.

Secondly, disclosure of commissions may help build client trust and confidence in financial advice; however, not accepting commissions removes any doubt.

Transparent Broker Fees Build Confidence

You can’t beat the feeling of making confident business decisions. Especially, when your risk and insurance adviser serves your best business interests and not the insurer. It opens the doors to building long-lasting client and insurer relationships.

Above all, it enables you to work with your adviser to gain a clear understanding of your business risks and how to mitigate them without the feeling of being oversold insurance.

Looking for Broker Fees & Services
You Can Trust?

Clear Insurance provides risk and insurance advice and support services to business leaders across a broad range of industries. Including hospitality, medical and construction.

Contact us today to learn more about our fee-for-service approach to risk and insurance advice.

The announcement follows a year of challenge and opportunity for the insurance industry. Nonetheless, Insurance Business Australia selected the top 50 candidates based on their commitment to building a fair, sustainable and relevant future for the insurance industry.

To feature in the list is without doubt, an honour. Furthermore, it’s a great recognition of her work and overall contribution to the insurance industry.

You can explore the complete list of Insurance Business Australia’s Hot Listers 2022 on the Insurance Business Australia website.

About Lisa Carter

Lisa Carter is the CEO and Managing Director of Clear Insurance. Moreover, she’s a sought-after risk and insurance adviser to business leaders across Queensland. She has won multiple awards, including the coveted insurance industry oscar, the National Insurance Brokers Association Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Insurance Broker of the Year.

Lisa is taking Clear Insurance from strength to strength. It’s primarily due to her unique and innovative approach to risk and insurance advice. Over the years, Lisa has built open and transparent relationships with her clients using a fee-for-service remuneration model.

Her dedication to training and mentoring the next generation of professional risk advisers, ensures sound risk advice and service excellence continues into the future.

Lisa’s strives to shift the risk and insurance broking industry from transactional operations to a more practical and client-focused approach. An approach that ensures client needs always remain the primary focus.

Lisa Carter, Managing Director, Clear Insurance

It’s always a good time to ask for risk and insurance advice.

If you would like to chat to our team about your insurance program, you can call 12300 721 132 or complete our online enquiry form and an experienced adviser will be in touch.

You don’t need to wait until renewal time to make a change.

Lisa’s specialty is designing bespoke insurance and risk programs with a particular interest in complicated or hard-to-place accounts.

Lisa values, maintains and respects the relationships she builds with insurers, underwriters, peers and clients continually striving to secure ethical and mutually beneficial outcomes for all involved in the insurance process.

Lisa is committed to maintaining and further developing the professionalism of the insurance industry, thus making her a worthy recipient of this award.

You can read more about Lisa’s awards in Insurance Business News magazine issue 10.02.

If you’d like to discuss your insurance program or request a risk and insurance review, contact the Clear Insurance team on 1300 721 132, email info@clearinsurance.com.au or complete our online enquiry form and an adviser will be in touch.

Lisa Carter and the team at Clear Insurance were honoured to be named 2015 advisers of the year at the Insurance Advisernet national conference in Hobart last week. Clear Insurance are proud to be part of the IA family and look forward to an exciting 2016! Lisa is humbled to be the first individual female AR to win in the award’s 19 year history.