[Oneill474]

I often wonder what my insurance agent gets out of my renewing my homeowners insurance each year.
I am the one who picked the insurance carrier. I pay directly to the company. My agent once a year may
Make a recommendation. That's is all he does. I do not know where he came from. I was assigned to my
Current insurance company, by the state of Florida Insurance Commissioner.

[joypulv]

The agent is paid by the carrier. You can inquire about cheaper rates by calling the carrier, who may or may not have the option. You take the risk of having to deal with a large impersonal far away company if you have a claim. I take that risk with my car, but homeowners I would say you might want a more local, personal touch, depending on the value of your home and your net worth and floods/storms/etc where you live. Your choice. My parents had a large claim after storm damage and the direct, no agent company dragged it's feet for many months and was a horrible hassle. I doubt that they would have paid at all had I not intervened, days of phone calls.

[Fr_Chuck]

The agency where you have your policy ( all are paid direct to company normally) but the agent handles your account and paper work.

The agency will get from 10 to 15 percent of the amount paid, and then they pay an employee agent part of that, in some the selling agent may only get the first years commission and then the owner of the agency will get any renewal commission.

Almost no agent is an employee ( paid) by the insurance company and no the other poster is wrong about that, almost all agents even if employees are only paid commission on the sales. * blus bonus and some office expences.

[Oneill474]

Very Interesting answers.. I have always paid my insurance premium myself. The Florida state run insurance carrier.
assign me to another insurance company about five years ago.. But the Matrix Insurance Agency has never
help me in anyway.When I ask them if my premium could be reduced.They told me my home is too old.
and I would need a series of inspections.

[Fr_Chuck]

The issue of what the agent makes or does not make has little or no effect what you pay, ( basicly)

The premium you pay is based on what type of property you have, its age and condition. Premiums vary by company greatly,