Independent agency: the agent represents several insurers and is paid by commission (plus overrides when building a team). The agent is not tied to any one company.

Captive (exclusive) agency: the agent represents only one insurer. State Farm is the textbook example.

General agency: the insurer appoints a general agent for a territory, who recruits and trains agents and may receive allowances for office, advertising and training costs.

Managerial (branch office) system: the branch manager is a salaried employee of the insurer, and the company runs the branch directly.

Direct response: no agent. The insurer markets by mail, internet, TV or phone, and the customer applies on their own.