Which term is used for a legal representative of insurers who has a contractual agreement to sell insurance?

• A. Special agent
• B. General agent
• C. Broker
• D. Insurance agent

Answer: (D)

An insurance agent is the legal representative of an insurer who is appointed by contract to sell and service the insurer’s policies. The insurer authorizes the agent to solicit applications, bind coverage within defined authority, and collect premiums. This relationship is with the insurer, not the insured, which is why the term fits best.

A broker, by contrast, represents the insured rather than the insurer and helps place coverage with carriers. Special agent and general agent describe different scopes of authority within an insurer’s own representatives, but the standard, overall term for the insurer’s sales representative is insurance agent.