The biggest difference between an Insurance Broker and an Insurance Agent is the people/organization they represent respectively. An insurance broker represents you as the client whereas an Insurance Agent represents the company they are employed by as their client, and you become the customer.

While both agents and brokers act as intermediaries between insurance buyers and the insurance market, and can offer insurance quotes on different policies, there are two key differences between the two: Agents represent insurers, while brokers represent the client.

Money typically plays a role, as does helping people. But it's very common for agents who just focus on money to fail or decide to quit. The best insurance agents will want to help their clients. Clients can tell the difference and are more likely to stick with an agent and agency that prioritizes their best interests.

A captive agent is an insurance agent who only works for one insurance company. A captive agent is paid by that one company, usually with a combination of salary and commission, plus benefits. They may be a full-time employee or an independent contractor.