Article by:
Elizabeth Rivelli
An insurance agent is a licensed professional who helps you find and purchase coverage, manage existing policies, and assist with claims. A good insurance agent builds a lasting relationship with their clients and gets to know their insurance needs on a more personal level.
Below, discover answers to some of the most common questions about insurance agents, like what does an insurance agent do, what role do they play in the claims process, and how much do they charge to find you a policy.
Many insurance agents split their time between helping new shoppers buy insurance and taking care of existing clients. A typical day might include these insurance agent duties:
The exact roles and responsibilities depend on the type of insurance agent you’re dealing with. Captive agents work for a single insurance company and sell only its policies; independent agents work with multiple companies and can recommend policies and get quotes from all the insurers they contract with.
An insurance agent's job is to learn about your situation and match you with a policy that meets your specific needs. Here's what that usually involves:
Most insurance agents can help you buy personal insurance, like auto, home, renters, condo, and umbrella insurance. Some agents specialize in other types of coverage, like life insurance, health insurance, or business insurance.
The types of insurance an agent can sell depend on their license and, for independent agents, which companies they work with. If you need more than one policy, like car insurance and home insurance, an agent can also look for bundling discounts to help you save money.
Insurance agents offer a lot of services, but there are some things they typically can’t do:
Insurance agents play an important role when you file a claim. Here are some of the things they can do:
Recommend starting a claim (or not): An insurance agent can help you decide whether filing a claim is actually worth it. Claims can affect your premium at renewal, so depending on the cost and your deductible, your agent might recommend paying out of pocket instead.
Open a claim for you: Insurance agents are usually authorized to open claims on their clients’ behalf. They can also collect important documents from you, like a police report and photos of damage, and send them to the insurance company.
Guide you through the claims process: An agent can walk you through every part of the claims process. They can explain what the adjuster does, how much coverage your policy will provide, and when to expect a payment.
Communicate with your insurer: It’s important to stay in close communication with your insurance company during the claims process. A good insurance agent will check in and share updates so you're not left guessing or waiting for answers.
Advocate if your claim is denied: The insurance company — not your agent — determines whether a claim is covered. If your claim is denied, an agent can follow up with the insurer, find out the reason for denial, and resubmit the claim if needed.
When you’re shopping around, these are a few signs of a reliable agent:
Your agent can follow up with the insurance company to find out why your claim was denied, and submit supporting documents for reconsideration. Ultimately, the insurance company has the final say on whether a claim is covered, so an agent can't reverse a denial on their own, but they can make sure nothing was missed.
Insurance agents get paid a commission from the insurance company when they sell a policy. The insurer builds the agent’s commission into your premium, which is the cost of your insurance policy. Some agents charge additional fees on top of your premium, like a service fee.
Working with an insurance agent isn’t required, but it can save you time and help you find a policy that fits your needs and budget. An independent agent compares quotes from all the insurers they work with, looks for discounts, and supports you if you have a claim.
So, what do insurance agents do? Everything from finding you a policy and binding your coverage to managing your policies and advocating for you at claim time. Learn how to connect with a local independent agent who will get to know your needs and walk you through your options.
Plymouth Rock Assurance® and Plymouth Rock® are brand names and service marks used by separate underwriting, managed insurance, and management companies that offer property and casualty insurance in multiple states pursuant to licensing agreements. Each underwriting and managed insurance company is a separate legal entity that is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. A full list of underwriting companies by state can be found on our states licensed & disclaimers page. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policy as issued. Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, features and benefits are not available in all states and companies, and premiums may vary by purchase method. PA Residents: we reserve the right to refuse to quote any individual a premium rate for the insurance advertised herein.