What type of agent is a salaried employee who sells insurance products for only one insurer?

A salaried employee who is focused on selling insurance products for only one insurer is described as a captive agent. This type of agent works closely with a specific insurance company, representing its products and services exclusively. Captive agents often receive a salary and may also earn commissions based on the sales they generate. Their sole allegiance is to the insurer they work for, which allows them to have in-depth knowledge of that company’s offerings and policies.

In distinguishing this role from others, an exclusive agent is also tied to one insurer but typically operates as an independent contractor rather than as a salaried employee. General agents, on the other hand, tend to oversee or manage other agents and may represent multiple insurers. Independent agents represent various insurance companies and can offer a wide range of products to their clients, allowing for more flexibility in the options they can present.

Understanding the characteristics and roles of these different types of agents is crucial for recognizing how they operate within the insurance industry and how they might affect the consumer's options and experience when seeking insurance coverage. In this instance, the captive agent's model provides a focused avenue for selling a specific insurer's products.