I sort advice from someone I've known for a long time and do consider a friend. This was after having been given mortgage advice by the Estate Agent resident IFA. My friend did indeed come up with several better mortgages than the estate agents IFA.

But I have spent some time looking at the deals listed on Money Supermarket.com and some of those are even better.

So if I can find better mortgage deals myself then I have to assume that I can also find better Life Insurance?

By better I don't just mean cheaper....

Hi

I am an ex IFA, retired after 20 years. I think there are advantages to using an IFA but a lot depends on your circumstances and the type and complexity of the advice you need. If you want a simple level term life insurance policy then the internet may be cheaper. But if you want a personal bespoke service to your long term financial needs then an IFA is the way to go. I had very good long term relationships with my clients, a number I still count as good friends. Personally I prefer to deal with local businesses - I think globalisation has gone too far!! From my experience IFA's are usually as competitive as the internet and often more so but more often they are able to offer something extra, their personal service or a bit of knowledge about subtle product differences. As you say, you won't have to pay for an IFA as they generally receive commission from the insurer / mortgage company. When choosing one I would always try and go for a personal recommendation from a friend, colleague or relative.

10 years ago it was very handy to be able to have someone examine the market looking for the best Mortgage and Life insurance for you.

Since the age of the internet, is that service still of any benefit? Are there Mortgage deals that only an IFA would be able to get for me? Can they provide Life Insurance for less than someone I might find on the internet?

I'm happy to concede that having someone complete all the applications and manage the transaction for you is very helpful. But apart from that, what other benefits do I gain from using an IFA rather than the Internet?

I also know that I do not pay for the services of an IFA, so I guess if I find a deal online and want someone to do all the paperwork for me, I could just tell the IFA the mortgage deal I want. Presumably he will get paid by the Mortgage provider and I get the same deal I would have got had I applied for it myself directly????

Or am I missing something???????