The main difference between a health insurance broker and an insurance agent is the way they conduct their business. Brokers are independent agencies or individuals that sell insurance for many companies. Agents, on the other hand, usually represent and sell for only one company or offer just one product or policy. Your choice between health insurance brokers and agents (captive agents) depends mostly on you and your employees' needs. Brokers can give you a broader view of the market and present you with a lot of options from different health insurance providers. Agents can offer services at lower costs and use their leverage with their home office to make changes in insurance plans. Another thing you might want to consider is that some health insurance brokers are paid a commission and that commission might reflect on your premiums. Insurance agents are paid by the providers, so your business won't have to. If you're planning to get help from an agent instead of a health insurance broker, I suggest you consult several just to see what each insurance company has to offer and what offer works best for you and your business. - July 3, 2009 @ 4:28 pm