Some agents are captive agents. They only place the insurance products of one company.

However, as an independent insurance agent, I can make place policies of as many insurance companies as I wish.

My relationship with the individual insurance companies is not direct. It is mediated through a broker general agent. I work with a broker general agent, and the broker general agent works with the individual insurance companies.

This may sound cumbersome, but it is really the most efficient way for insurance to be handled. The broker general agent is responsible to know the individual companies' policies, premiums, and underwriting standards, and to help to place clients with the right companies.