Carrier appointment
A carrier appointment identifies an authorized producer or agency relationship with an insurer where an appointment is required. The agency agreement sets the business relationship; state rules govern licensing and appointment requirements. An appointment alone does not tell you whether a person may bind a particular risk.
Direct appointments and the other doors
Agencies may seek a direct relationship with a carrier or access markets through a network, wholesaler, or MGA. Requirements differ by carrier and arrangement. Confirm the necessary individual and business licenses, appointments, portal permissions, and contractual authority for the work you plan to perform.
Appointments come with strings
Carrier agreements may include production expectations, performance measures, termination provisions, and procedures for the existing book. Review those terms before making a volume commitment. If a relationship ends, the treatment of in-force policies and renewals depends on the agreement and applicable rules.
Track production and carrier concentration together. An agency needs useful market access for its clients, while also understanding the commitments and operational work that each relationship brings.
A useful access checklist
For a new carrier relationship, record the licensed entity, participating producers, permitted lines and states, portal access, and who can bind. Check those separately. A working login does not establish every permission needed to write the account.
Common questions
How do new agencies get carrier appointments?
Ask carriers about their current direct appointment criteria and compare available network, wholesaler, or MGA arrangements. Evaluate access, economics, ownership terms, and service responsibilities for your book.
Can a carrier terminate an appointment?
A carrier relationship can end under the agreement and applicable rules. Notice, authority during the transition, and treatment of existing policies require a specific review. Termination does not mean every in-force policy immediately ends.
Sources
Part of the Relay insurance operations glossary. Updated 2026-07-11. See how we source content.
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