Youi vs Insurance Broker: Which Is Right for You?

What is the difference between Youi and an insurance broker?

Youi is a direct insurer. You deal with them exclusively, purchase their products, and lodge claims through their internal team. They have built a reputation for service quality and offer some flexibility in tailoring cover to your needs.

An insurance broker, like Tank Insurance, is independent. Brokers are not tied to any single insurer. Instead, they access a panel of insurers, compare options across the market, and advocate on your behalf during claims. The distinction is one of independence and breadth of access.

Where does Youi perform well?

Credit where it is due: Youi stands out among direct insurers for several reasons.

• Customer service: Youi consistently receives positive feedback for their responsiveness and willingness to assist.
• Customisation: Their model allows you to adjust cover levels and pay for what you actually need, rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all policy.
• Claims reputation: Compared to other direct insurers, Youi's claims handling is generally regarded as smoother and more customer focused.

For a standard home and contents policy with no unusual features, Youi can be a reasonable choice.

When does using a broker add value over Youi?

A broker's value becomes clearest when your situation moves beyond the standard.

Business insurance and occupation fit

Direct insurers, including Youi, use online portals with a set list of occupations. If your business does not fit neatly into one of their predefined categories, you may be declined or incorrectly classified. A broker can review whether a broadly named occupation actually covers your specific work, source custom occupation wordings where required, and access tailored business insurance policies that online platforms simply cannot offer.

Non-standard property

Landlords with blocks of units, non-strata titles, or properties with unusual features often find direct insurers either decline cover or offer limited options. Brokers access specialist markets that cater to these property types.

Growing or evolving businesses

As your business changes, your insurance needs change. A broker reviews your cover annually, identifies gaps, and adjusts policies to match your current operations. Direct insurers provide what you ask for; a broker advises on what you should be asking for.

Claims advocacy

When you lodge a claim with Youi, you deal with their internal claims team. That team works for the insurer. A broker works for you, advocating externally to ensure your claim is handled fairly. This external representation often results in faster resolution and better outcomes.

Non-renewal or declined cover

If Youi decides not to renew your policy, you are left to find an alternative yourself. A broker can access their full panel, negotiate with underwriters, and source cover from specialist markets that do not deal directly with the public.

Market access

Youi offers Youi products. A broker looks at the entire market. This is the core difference: with a direct insurer, you get one option. With a broker, you get the option that best fits your situation from across multiple insurers.

Why is business insurance different?

Online insurance portals, including Youi's, rely on predefined occupation lists. You select your occupation from a dropdown, and the system generates a quote based on that selection.

The problem: many businesses do not fit neatly into these categories. A broadly named occupation might cover several distinct types of work, some riskier than others. If you select the wrong category, you could end up with a policy that does not respond when you need it, or you could be declined altogether because your actual work falls outside the portal's parameters.

A broker reviews your actual operations, confirms whether a particular occupation wording covers your specific work, and where necessary, arranges custom occupation wordings with underwriters. This level of detail is simply not available through a self-service portal.

This is particularly important for professional indemnity, public liability, cyber insurance, and management liability policies where the wording directly impacts what claims are covered.

How does the claims process differ?

With Youi, you lodge your claim through their portal or call centre. From that point, you deal with internal assessors and claims handlers. Youi's claims team has a good reputation, but they still work for the insurer. Their role is to assess the claim according to the policy terms.

With a broker, you have someone who understands the policy, knows how insurers operate, and can push back if a claim is unfairly delayed or disputed. Brokers manage the paperwork, follow up on your behalf, and escalate issues when necessary. This external advocacy often results in faster resolution and fairer outcomes, particularly on complex or disputed claims.

What does Tank Insurance offer?

Tank Insurance is an Australian insurance brokerage specialising in:

• Home insurance (owner-occupied)
• Landlord insurance (investment property, including non-standard and high-risk properties)
• Non-strata insurance (for properties without a body corporate)
• Block of units insurance (for owners of entire blocks)
• Business insurance (Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Cyber, Management Liability, and more)

We provide manual policy reviews, dedicated claims support, and access to a broad panel of insurers. Our focus is on ensuring you have the right cover for your situation, not simply the cheapest premium.