Hi
Insurance can be akin to breakfast cereals these days. This is that an underwriter will produce the product i.e risk coverage, wholesale premium rates and the seller of the product (intermediary) will package it up applying branding if relevant etc and then sell it on. This is the same as kelloggs producing cornflakes under their own brand and well as producing the cornflakes for supermarket own brands. The only difference may be the packaging and the volume weight of the cornflakes inside.
For example BISL (Budget Insurance) have their own Budget brand as well as handling the Post Office, HSBC, Yes Insurance and others. BISL are an independent intermediary who basically buy Insurance wholesale from Insurance underwriters, sell the product( risk) on to companies to sell under individual brand names, contribute to packaging i.e. policy documents and then adminster all aspects, Sales, policy servicing and claims. The intermediary will calculate the retail premium rate, to take into account a large number of factors. The individual brand owners will also be paid a sum based on the number of sales/profit share The brand owner attaches demanding targets on sales and quality of service. Quite often brand owners can move their branded Insurance from one supplier to another when contracts are up for renewal. E.g. Liverpool Victoria now supply the Nationwide Car Insurance product instead of RBS Insurance.
In answer to your question, your relationship is with the company who administers your policy and handles your claims. When you arrange Insurance under FSA rules, the Insurance provider has to clearly explain their relationship with you, what service they provide and which Insurer underwrites the policy. These details are provided on the internet and phone before you buy the Insurance. Check each policy carefully as premiums can be similar but the cover can significantly differ.
Huckster