Distribution channels
Though few statistics exist on the precise market shares of the main distribution channels for insurance (namely direct sales by insurance companies, sales through agents and sales through brokers), the information available shows a great deal of variation across Members States in market shares of various insurance distribution channels.
There is wide variation across countries in the number of intermediary firms present. The number of intermediary firms does not appear to be systematically related to the size and income level of the various countries. This is because, in some countries, there has been a longer tradition for intermediaries to provide services to customers than in other countries.
Within the insurance intermediary channel, the agents channel is the largest in countries such as France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain while in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK, brokers are by far the largest non-life distribution channel.
Insurance intermediaries in Europe (London Economics report) ►
