Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Exclusive Agency System?

In the Exclusive Agency System, agents typically represent a single insurer and are responsible for selling the insurer’s products. The primary characteristic of this system is the exclusive representation of one insurer, which affects various aspects of the agents’ operations. Agents in this system earn commissions based on their personal sales, which incentivizes them to generate new business. Additionally, when it comes to renewals, agents are bound to work with the same insurer, reinforcing their exclusive commitment.

The concept of policy ownership, however, is distinct in this system. In an Exclusive Agency agreement, the insurance company retains the ownership of the policy, which means that agents do not have ownership of the policies they sell. Instead, they act as representatives or facilitators for the insurer. Therefore, stating that agents retain policy ownership does not align with the characteristics of this system, making it the correct choice here.

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for agents operating within this model and helps clarify the relationship between agents, insurers, and policy rights.