Install
The Big Carriers terms
State Farm, GEICO, Progressive and Allstate.
Captive agentAn insurance agent who sells policies for only one company or insurance group, rather than comparing several insurers for you.Direct writerAn insurer that sells its own policies without independent agents; in everyday use, a company that sells online and by phone.Independent agentAn insurance agent who represents several insurers and can quote and place your policy with whichever one fits your needs best.Mutual insurance companyAn insurer owned by its policyholders rather than by shareholders, which can return surplus to members as dividends or lower rates.Reciprocal insurance exchangeA policyholder-owned insurer in which members, called subscribers, insure one another through a manager known as an attorney-in-fact.Stock insurance companyAn insurer owned by shareholders, who receive its profits, rather than by its policyholders; many are publicly traded.