Do your homework is probably the best advice. I used a mortgage broker, but i prefer that type of service. Like it is advised above not all banks pay commission and as such brokers wont use those banks very often. But that I got a very good deal and had the pleasure of using and independant person. In regards to insurance Banks insurance is nearly always over priced or can be a cut down version of a product like trauma cover where many banks only cover 10 events where a specilised insurance company covers 44. However this is not always the case. A mortgage broker often acts as an insurance broker as well or can point you in the right direction.
But the big thing is to do your home work and fit with what you like best. If your after a personal stress free relationship with a member of the community then I would go for a mortgage broker everytime.