Captive Agent vs Independent Agent: Which do you need?

You probably landed on this article because - like me - you’re shopping around for insurance and wound up doing a lot of research that left you without answers and ready to go call the number on whatever insurance billboard you see first.

Where I kept getting stuck was with captive vs. independent insurance agents.
After spending hours feeling as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles, I think I’ve finally cracked the code and (hopefully) I can save you some time by helping you get straight to what you need to know to make the right decision for your insurance needs.

Grab your goggles, and let’s dive straight into the deep end of the insurance agent pool!

Part 1: The Captive Agent

A captive agent is like a person with a one-track mind; they can only sell insurance policies from one company. It's like they're stuck in a relationship with one brand, kind of like a high school sweetheart.

Just like high school sweethearts, captive agents are exactly what some people want. If you’re looking for a very specific type of insurance policy or if you have a lot of questions about the policy options, they might be the perfect fit for you. This is because they are experts in the policies of the company they represent and can provide you with highly-detailed information and knowledge that you’ll likely only get from someone whose entire job is focused on a single company’s offerings.

However, the downside of a captive agent is that they can be limiting, just like dating someone who doesn't let you hang out with your friends. They can't provide you with quotes from other insurance companies, which means you’re on your own when it comes to comparing prices and figuring out if you’re getting the best deal. Sometimes captive agents are also seen as pushy if they keep trying to get you to buy more policies from their company that you might not need.

Put another way, captive agents are like that one friend who always talks about their significant other - they’re clearly happy where they are, but that doesn’t mean you want to keep hearing about the same thing over and over whenever they talk to you.

Part 2: The Independent Agent

Ready to meet your new best friend? An independent agent is like that one person who knows all the cool spots in town and loves introducing you to new people. They work with multiple insurance companies and can provide you with quotes from different providers. They’re friends with the bouncer at every club, so you can get in wherever you want.

Clearly, the biggest advantage of an independent agent is the variety of options they provide. They can help you compare policies from different companies, find the best rates, and tailor policies to your unique needs. This variety also means independent agents are often considered more trustworthy than captive agents since hiding certain information from you can make it more likely for a captive agent to keep you around. While you should always look to verify any information you get from someone selling you something, the reality is that independent agents are often more likely to make more money by getting you the right deal no matter what company it’s with and that’s just not something captive agents can offer.

On the other hand, independent agents are sometimes seen as being a bit flaky; having someone who can get you into any club is great, but it’s not much help if they’re nowhere to be found when you show up. They usually have a lot of clients to juggle which can limit the time you get with them, and they may not always be available when you need them. Plus, because they need to know what every company offers, they may not be as knowledgeable as a captive agent about the finer details and specific policies of each company.

Independent agents are - relatively speaking - the free-spirited friends of the insurance industry. Exploring with them can be a great experience, but sometimes you need someone a little more knowledgeable and focused.

Part 3: Which one is right for you?

Alright, now that you have a better understanding of “Captive Agent vs Independent Agent”, let’s talk about how to choose the right partner in crime. It really comes down to 3 main considerations:

1. How much you already know,
2. Your budget, and
3. How “hands-on” you want/need your agent to be

If you need to get insurance for the first time, you can probably stop reading here and go find an independent agent (sorry it took this long to get you the answer you needed!) because you’ll probably benefit most from working with someone who can help you explore the full landscape of insurance companies and what they offer. On the other hand, if you know enough about insurance to be able to tell an agent what you need (rather than ask them what you should get), then you’re probably in a good place to go with a captive agent who can make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for an answer any more in-depth questions you have along the way.

Budget-wise, working with a captive agent can cost you more - their job isn’t to compare prices with other companies, it’s to earn the most money for the company that employs them by selling you the services they have available. In all fairness, most captive agents want you to see value in what you buy as much as you do (because that makes you more likely to stick with them!), but unfortunately, some people get unlucky and wind up with captive agents whose “job” appears to be selling you everything they possibly can, like boat insurance when you only asked about renter’s insurance and don’t even own a car.

Independent agents aren’t perfect either, but at least if you ask for their help with comparing prices and coverage you’re usually going to get a more objective answer because they get to help you out no matter what company you choose to go with.

If the most important thing for you is having an agent that’s more likely to always be there when you need them, whether it’s for regular policy updates or detailed questions, captive is the way to go. Being flaky is great if you’re a croissant, but it’s not great if you’re an insurance agent. It isn’t fair to say independent agents are flaky, just keep in mind that - unlike their salary-earning captive counterparts - many independent agents earn most (or all) of their money through commissions and that means they make more money by selling to more people which - stay with me here - means they have less time for you.

After all of that, there’s one thing that makes the biggest difference of all: how much time and energy you want to invest into learning the ins and outs of insurance. If you have lots of time to kill and are happy spending hours researching online followed by hours on the phone with different insurance companies to find out what’s really best for you, then isn’t really any benefit to working with an independent agent. You’re going to be better off with a dedicated captive agent who can answer your well-researched questions and give you exactly what you want when you ask for it (also, if you have that kind of time, maybe consider a career selling insurance?)

Are you an employer who needs help finding captive or independent insurance agents for your company? Hoops HR has the dream team and resources you need to grow your agency. Click the button below to get in touch with us and learn more!