What Is a Managing General Agent?
A managing general agent can quote or underwrite coverage on an insurer’s behalf, but the insurer named on your policy remains responsible for covered claims. Check the insurer’s name and the MGA’s role in the quote.
What Does a Managing General Agent Do?
An MGA is a producer who manages a slice of an insurer's business as that insurer's agent—often a division, department, or underwriting office—not someone who merely introduces customers. The work can include producing and underwriting for that insurer.[1]
In Wisconsin, an individual MGA must already hold an active intermediary license, and a firm's designated responsible licensed producer must hold active Wisconsin MGA and intermediary licenses. Brokers, agents, producers, and managing general agents are all treated as intermediaries there. Other states may write the license differently.[1]
What Does a Managing General Agent Not Prove?
The MGA acts as the insurer's agent. The policy still belongs to the insurer named on it; the MGA is not a substitute issuer.[1]
Separately from a carrier financial-strength rating, AM Best may publish a Performance Assessment for delegated underwriting authority enterprises, including MGAs. That assessment is not a credit rating and does not address creditworthiness.[2]
What Should You Confirm About a Managing General Agent?
Name the MGA's legal entity, the insurer that delegated the authority, any producer or MGA license, and the company actually named on the policy.[1]
Sources for the Managing General Agent Definition
- Insurance License Types and Fees. Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance; MGA: manages all or part of the insurance business of an insurer or a separate division, department or underwriting office; acts as an agent for the insurer; produces and underwrites; individual must hold an active intermediary license; firm DRLP must hold active Wisconsin MGA and Intermediary licenses; last updated June 1, 2026. Accessed 2026-09-21. Source 1.
- Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments. A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc.; Performance Assessment for delegated underwriting authority enterprises, including MGAs, is not a credit rating and does not address creditworthiness; dated September 19, 2025. Accessed 2026-09-21. Source 2.