Independent agents commonly work with multiple insurers, while captive agents generally represent one insurer or group. Actual authority, product availability, and business arrangements depend on each organization’s agreements.
What to understand first
Compare onboarding, lead sources, service support, technology, training, carrier appointments, renewal rights, and how customer relationships are handled. Ask what decisions you can make independently and what support is available for complex cases.
Questions and trade-offs to consider
Neither model is universally better. Carrier access may be limited in practice, and compensation or ownership terms can affect long-term flexibility. Review written agreements carefully.
A practical next step
Speak with agents from both models and use the same questions for each conversation. Choose based on the work style, support, and customer needs you want to serve.
Take the next step
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