What Is an Independent Insurance Agent? Why It Matters for Your Wallet
Not all insurance agents are the same. Understanding the difference between captive and independent agents could save you hundreds — or even thousands — on your premiums.
Captive vs. Independent: The Difference That Saves You Money
When most people think of insurance, they think of the big names — State Farm, Allstate, GEICO. These companies use captive agents who can only sell their company's products. That's like going to a Ford dealership and expecting them to recommend a Toyota.
Independent agents like Atesa Risk Advisors work differently. We represent 40+ insurance carriers and shop the market on your behalf to find the best coverage at the best price.
How It Works in Practice
Let's say you need homeowners insurance in Jacksonville. Here's what happens with each type of agent:
| Captive Agent | Independent Agent | |
|---|---|---|
| Carriers quoted | 1 (their company) | 10-15+ carriers |
| Price comparison | None | Automatic |
| Coverage options | Limited to one company's products | Best-in-class from multiple carriers |
| At renewal | Auto-renew at whatever rate | Re-shop the market annually |
| After a claim | Stuck with one carrier | Can move to a new carrier |
The Real-World Savings
Here's what we typically see when clients switch from a captive agent to us:
- Homeowners insurance: 15-30% savings on average
- Auto insurance: 10-25% savings on average
- Commercial insurance: 20-40% savings (especially for contractors and restaurants)
- Bundled policies: Additional 5-15% multi-policy discounts
"I was paying $4,200/year for my homeowners insurance with a captive agent. Ricardo shopped it across his carriers and found me the same coverage for $2,800. That's $1,400 back in my pocket every year." — Actual client review
But It's Not Just About Price
The real value of an independent agent goes beyond savings:
Advocacy after claims: We work for YOU, not the insurance company. When you have a claim, we advocate on your behalf to make sure it's handled fairly.
Expert guidance: We see policies from dozens of carriers every day. We know which companies have the best claims service, which ones are financially stable, and which coverage forms actually protect you.
Annual reviews: We proactively review your policies before renewal to make sure you're not overpaying and your coverage keeps up with your life changes.
The Dave Ramsey Connection
Dave Ramsey recommends independent insurance agents for exactly these reasons. As a RamseyTrusted professional, we've been vetted by the Ramsey team for our commitment to:
- Shopping multiple carriers for the best rate
- Educating clients (not just selling)
- Providing excellent service with integrity
Ready to See the Difference?
Try our LionRater™ Insurance Estimator for an instant estimate, or request a free quote to see how much you could save with an independent agent.
Call us at (904) 900-5063 — we'd love to show you what independent advice looks like.
Ricardo Alonso
Founder, Atesa Risk Advisors
Ricardo is a RamseyTrusted insurance advisor with a Harvard ALM in Finance. He founded Atesa Risk Advisors to bring honest, independent insurance guidance to Florida businesses and individuals.