definition

A person who is licensed by a State to sell insurance policies.  A life insurance agent generally sells term, whole life, and unversal life policies, along with disability, medical,  and long term care insurance, and fixed deferred annuity contracts.  A property-casualty agent sells auto, home, business, and umbrella policies.

commentary

Most insurance salespoeple are captive agents; confined to selling the products of their employer.  We prefer to work with independent insurance brokerages who are able to negotiate with a number of insurance companies on behalf of clients in order to secure for them the most advantageious coverage and terms.  Captive life insurance agents have a reputation (at times not deserved) for high-pressure sales techniques,  and the habit of believing that expensive permanent life insurance and annuities are the answer to any financial situation.