Online comparison portals advertise speed and the "best price." But what happens when advice is missing and the fine print works against you? A look behind the scenes of the portal world.
The Problem with "Advice Light"
Large comparison portals are not just information sites, they are giant insurance brokers. But with one decisive difference: the transaction usually takes place without a real, individual needs assessment. You click a few boxes, choose the cheapest price, and receive a policy.
The risk: If you misunderstand a question or overlook an important option, you are liable for the consequences yourself. If no real advice took place, or you waived it during the online process, it becomes very hard to hold the portal liable for a wrongly chosen tariff.
Hidden Pre-selection
Not all insurance companies participate in comparison portals. Many high-performance providers and specialized tariffs are completely missing there. Portals primarily show companies with which they have commission agreements. This is not a neutral market overview, but a filtered list of partner companies.
Who Helps You in the Event of a Claim?
Have you ever tried to get help with a million-euro claim from an anonymous hotline? Portals are designed for volume, not for individual support. When it really matters, you often stand alone against the legal department of the insurance company.
Beware of Existential Risks!
For car insurance, an online purchase might still be justifiable. But when it comes to occupational disability or private health insurance, clicking through without a risk pre-assessment and expert advice is grossly negligent. A mistake in the health questions here leads to a total loss of protection. Learn more about Occupational Disability Insurance and Private Health Insurance (PKV).
The Broker Advantage: Personal & Liable
When I advise you, I take the time for your details. I know the critical details of the application questions and know which insurer actually pays in the event of a claim. And the most important thing: I am liable for my recommendation. That is your safety guarantee.
What the Law Requires From Every Broker, Including Portals
Large comparison portals are legally insurance brokers licensed under § 34d GewO. The same duties apply to them as to me: they have to ask about your wishes and needs, advise you and document the advice (§ 61 VVG). Their advice has to be based on a sufficient number of tariffs, and anyone offering only a limited selection has to say so clearly (§ 60 VVG). If these duties are breached, the broker is liable for damages (§ 63 VVG).
In practice, standard questions in the click process often replace real advice, and some sign-up flows ask you to waive advice. Such a waiver is only valid as a separate written declaration that explicitly warns you that you may lose claims for damages (§ 61 (2) VVG). Ticking that box quickly means giving up exactly the right that would protect you later.
When a Comparison Tool Is Fine
I am not against online comparisons in general. My own site has comparison tools, for example for liability, contents or pet insurance. For simple standard products with comparable terms they help you find a suitable tariff quickly. If a question is unclear or your situation doesn't fit the form, you call me and get a personal answer before you sign.
For policies with health questions or high sums, such as disability insurance, private health insurance, term life or business cover, a calculator is at most a starting point. Here the advice decides whether the policy holds up when you need it.
Checklist: Portal or Broker?
- Portal: Anonymous mass instead of individual analysis.
- Broker: Personal support even after the contract is signed.
- Broker: Support and "advocacy" in the event of a claim.
- Never confirm a waiver of advice in an online application without reading it.