Does anybody know how price comparison sites make their money? Do the insurance companies they quote pay them to provide this service or is it some kind of commission basis? If the insurers pay a third party for this service, is this a "direct" sales method or not? Also, can anyone explain what "Affinity" business is? Is it just an insurer selling directly to the public to a specified group of people, eg, M&S customers? Again, is this classed as a "direct" sales method or using intermediaries? Thanks.
none of these is direct business since it involves an intermediary if you notice on price comparison sites you are directed to the insurer through their website...i.e. through them! It is also possible that you get different rates through them than if you went to the insurer's website directly It's probably a commission thing then although it could be anything. In the affinity case you approach the affinity list "owner" e.g. M&S. I don't think this can be called direct, since M&S would act as an intermediary and also receive some benefits In fact there can be affinity-broker business where affinity groups are approached through a broker!
