Yes — and many people do. For example, you might keep your auto and home with a captive carrier where you've built up loyalty discounts, while using an independent agent ...
Commercial insurance is where the independent channel produces the biggest savings. Business owners often need general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, property, professional liability, and cyber coverage — and the ...
Direct writers like GEICO, Progressive Direct, and Liberty Mutual Direct are technically a third category — they sell directly to consumers without using independent or captive agents at all. They ...
Switching is straightforward and rarely costs you anything. First, request your current declarations pages from your captive agent or download them from your carrier's app. Next, share them with the ...
Can independent insurance agents access specialty markets like commercial trucking or surplus lines?
Yes — and this is one of the strongest advantages of the independent channel. Independent agencies access standard market carriers, excess and surplus lines carriers, and specialty program markets that ...
Bridgeway Insurance Agency is an independent agency. We represent more than 40 carriers across personal lines, commercial lines, life, health, and specialty markets in seven southeastern states (Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, ...
Your captive agent has no alternative carrier to offer because they can only sell that one company's policies. You'll need to shop elsewhere — typically through an independent agent who ...
No — claims are handled by the insurance carrier, not the agent, so claims service is identical whether you bought through an independent or a captive. The actual difference is ...
A strong independent agency for personal lines typically represents 10-20 carriers. For commercial lines, look for 25-40+ carrier appointments because business policies require more market depth. The more carriers an ...
Independent and captive agents earn commissions from carriers (not direct fees from clients), so the agent cost is roughly equivalent. However, because independents shop across multiple carriers, the policies they ...
