Should you sell for one company or go independent? It's the question every new agent faces, and the honest answer depends on what you want. Here's a clear-eyed comparison.
Captive agents
A captive agent represents a single carrier. Think of the big-brand agencies with a storefront and the company's name on the door.
Pros: a recognized brand, often a base salary or draw, office space, built-in leads early on, and structured training.
Cons: you can only sell that company's products (so you lose business that doesn't fit), commissions are typically lower, and — critically — you usually don't own your book. Leave, and the clients stay with the company.
Independent agents
An independent agent contracts with many carriers, usually through an FMO/IMO, and sells whatever fits the client.
Pros: higher commissions, the ability to shop multiple carriers (you keep clients instead of turning them away), and you own your book of business — renewals follow you.
Cons: more responsibility. You handle your own marketing and leads, and you need a good upline for contracting, tools, and training. Income is variable, especially early.
So which pays more?
Per policy, independent almost always pays more, and renewals build a recurring asset you own. But "pays more" assumes you can keep your pipeline full. A captive role can out-earn an independent who runs out of people to talk to. The independents who win are the ones who solved the lead problem.
How to decide
- Choose captive if you want maximum structure, a steadier early paycheck, and you don't mind selling one brand.
- Choose independent if you want to own your clients, earn more per sale, and sell across multiple lines — *and* you partner with an upline that supplies leads, training, and contracting so you're not doing it alone.
That last clause is the whole game. Independence fails when agents try to do everything solo; it thrives when the back office is handled. Bridgepoint gives independent agents the leads, training, and carrier access of a captive shop — without giving up ownership of a single client.