Agent appointment is the formal authorization granted by an insurance carrier that allows a producer to solicit, submit, and service business on the carrierTMs behalf in a particular state or product line. Even if an agent holds an active insurance license, they generally may not place business with a carrier until they are appointed under that companyTMs rules. Appointments can be company-specific, state-specific, and sometimes product-specific, such as life, health, or annuity appointments. The process is designed to ensure that the carrier only works with properly licensed and vetted producers who meet its internal standards and regulatory obligations. Agent appointments are closely tied to commission payments, E&O coverage requirements, and responsibility for regulatory supervision.

Advisors encounter agent appointment requirements whenever they try to submit new business to a carrier they have not previously worked with. BGAs and IMOs typically manage appointment paperwork, background checks, and carrier-specific onboarding, including AML training, product training, and compensation elections. Some states require appointments to be completed before an application is taken, while others allow just-in-time appointments upon first piece of business. New business and licensing teams track appointments to prevent delays in policy issue and commission payments. Understanding agent appointments helps advisors plan which carriers they can realistically use on a case, avoid writing applications without proper authority, and coordinate licensing, contracting, and production goals across multiple carriers.