Which type of agents is typically tied to a single insurance company and cannot solicit for others?

• A. Career agents
• B. Independent agents
• C. Field agents
• D. General agents

Answer: (A)

A career (captive) agent is defined by exclusivity in representation. This type of agent signs with one insurer and is contracted to sell that company’s products only, which means they cannot solicit or place business with other insurers. That single-company tie is the hallmark of the career agent model, including the training, commissions, and support that come from that insurer.

Independent agents, by contrast, represent multiple carriers and can solicit for several insurers, so they aren’t tied to a single company. Field agents and general agents describe organizational roles rather than the exclusivity of representation, but the key concept asked about is the restricted, single-company affiliation that characterizes career agents.