Captive Agent

So remember in all those movies where James Bond is taken captive?  Yeah, this isn't anything like that. Sorry. This is an instance where an insurance agent (hey, they're still agents right?) is contractually bound to sell products for just one company. They are captive to that one company. You've seen Flo on the commercials on TV, right? If she's an agent, as well as an actress, she'd definitely be a captive agent.

Have you ever gotten, say, a car insurance or homeowners insurance quote? Did the agent quote various companies? If so, they are a "non-captive agent" also known as an independent agent. These agents can be full or part time, and they can work either on commission or salary, depending on the company. 

Often, the captive agents are more knowledgeable about the products they sell, because they sell fewer, and if they are salary, they have more time to spend on clients (less pressure to make commissions). Independent agents, on the other hand, can offer more variety, since they can sell for as many companies as they want. 

The other difference is that captive agents get a boost due to the marketing structure...the insurance companies they sell for may pay for advertising, or if a customer calls the "main line" of the company, they will be directed to the agent in the area. These agents may also be provided lists of potential customers in the area. These things can be done with an independent agent too...it kind of depends on the situation.