Insurance brokerage services are useful for companies that do not have the desire, resources or know-how to handle insurance matters themselves. Brokerage services are particularly useful if your company owns expensive equipment, machines, production facilities or other special assets, employs a large number of employees, enters into subcontracts or operates in international markets. An insurance broker may also be necessary if the company's industry or business requires challenging insurance or if the operation, industry or contracts involve a lot of different liability issues and liability insurance needs. For sole proprietors, start-ups or small companies, however, brokerage services are usually not sufficiently cost-effective.