What differentiates a captive agent from an independent agent?

A captive agent is defined by their commitment to representing a single insurance company. This exclusive relationship means that captive agents are focused on selling the products and services offered by that one insurer, which may include various types of insurance policies such as auto, home, or life insurance. This exclusivity allows the agent to develop in-depth knowledge of their company's offerings and provides a consistent level of service and brand representation to customers.

In contrast, independent agents operate differently. They are not tied to any one insurance company, which means they have the ability to offer policies from several different insurers. This flexibility allows independent agents to provide a wider variety of options to clients, as they can compare products and prices across multiple companies to find the best fit for their customers' needs.

The focus on a single insurer by captive agents is a key point of differentiation from independent agents, making option D the correct choice in understanding the unique role of captive agents in the insurance industry.