Insurance Broker vs Agent: What’s the Real Difference?

When shopping for insurance or considering a career in the industry, you may hear the terms insurance broker and insurance agent used interchangeably. However, these two roles serve distinct purposes—especially in how they represent clients, access carriers, and operate day-to-day. If you’re trying to understand the true comparison of insurance broker vs agent, this breakdown will help you get clear.

What Is an Insurance Agent?

An insurance agent typically works on behalf of a single insurance company—or a group of companies if they are an independent agent. Their job is to sell policies from those specific carriers and serve as the customer’s point of contact. At North Star Insurance Advisors, our agents specialize in final expense policies, working directly with seniors over the phone across the U.S.

What Is an Insurance Broker?

On the other hand, an insurance broker represents the customer—not the insurance company. Brokers shop across multiple carriers to find the best policy for their client’s needs. They offer more variety, but often have longer quoting processes and may charge service fees.

Key Differences Between Insurance Brokers and Agents

1. Representation

Agents represent the carrier. They are contracted to sell specific products.
Brokers represent the customer. They work independently to recommend the best fit from any number of insurers.

2. Access to Products

Agents offer a curated product list from contracted carriers—often leading to faster quoting and approval. Brokers typically have broader access, but the buying process can take longer.

3. Licensing and Compliance

Both agents and brokers are licensed by state departments of insurance. However, brokers often need additional licensing to represent multiple carriers or lines of insurance.

4. Sales Process

Agents like those at North Star can complete the entire process in one call—using our phone-based telesales system. Brokers, by contrast, may need multiple meetings to present and compare policies.

Which Career Path Is Right for You?

If you enjoy focused selling, clear direction, and high close rates, becoming an insurance agent may be your ideal fit. In contrast, if you want to explore multiple markets and manage long-term client relationships, a broker path might appeal more.

Why Agents Choose North Star

At North Star Insurance Advisors, we equip agents with everything they need to succeed:

Daily leads
Full phone-based telesales model
Live training, mentorship, and support
Recurring commissions and leadership growth paths

Start Your Journey in Insurance Sales

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