What is an MGA in Insurance? (2024)

MGA

Oct 4, 2023 Chris Kerr

To understand MGA insurance, you need to understand the inner workings of the insurance industry. Retail Agents, wholesale brokers, and MGAs all operate within the industry, catering to various needs.

Retail Agents interact directly with insurance clients. They evaluate risks, explain policies, and work with their appointed insurance carriers.

WHAT IS AN MGA?

Managing General Agent, or MGA, is a wholesale insurance broker/agent specializing in specific insurance products and/or industries. MGAs have underwriting authority to administer or negotiate the policies on behalf of an insurance carrier.

MGAs evaluate risk for pricing and have the authority to bind coverage, underwrite, or appoint retail agents. In short, the MGA acts as the insurance carrier.

MGA insurance refers to insurance products provided by an MGA. This insurance caters to unique needs and functions, filling gaps in the traditional insurance product market.

What is the Role of an MGA in Insurance Distribution?

The insurance distribution chain is a complex machine with lots of moving parts. One of the pieces in the structure is the MGA. The MGA creates a bridge between insurance carriers and insurance retailers or agents. They don’t work directly with clients but rather underwrite and bind coverage for insurance companies.

MGA VS. TRADITIONAL BROKERS/AGENTS

Traditional brokers work between clients and insurance companies. They act as an intermediary, bringing policies to clients. Brokers understand the policies sold by insurance companies. They help clients understand the best coverage for them.

MGAs don’t work with insurance consumers. They can sell insurance products and underwrite some risk types. They work between insurance companies and insurance brokers, or agents. MGAs have underwriting authority whereas traditional brokers do not.

Working with MGAs: Benefits for Agents

Working with MGAs provides agents with an intermediary and a specialist. For agents, an MGA can offer products outside of the traditionally available ones. Here are a few of the major benefits agents receive:

Access to specialty markets: MGAs have diverse portfolios. They operate in niche segments of the market. They are also localized experts with deep knowledge of the niches they represent.
Highly customized insurance plans: MGAs provide flexible access to otherwise rigid insurance policies because of their underwriting authority. They offer tailored and innovative solutions for diverse market needs.
Simplified underwriting process: A dual role of underwriting and distribution lets MGAs expedite the entire underwriting process. Their specialized knowledge of unusual risks or industries lets them create realistic prices and terms.

MGAs vs. Wholesale Insurance Brokers

MGAs are very similar to wholesale insurance brokers, with a few differences. Wholesale insurance brokers:

Act as intermediaries: Wholesale insurance brokers act as a go-between for retail agents and insurance carriers. They give great market access and expertise to retail agents.
Focus on niche risks: As a wholesaler, they have access to specialty markets not otherwise accessible to retail agents. Seek the best coverage: Wholesale brokers provide options from various carriers. They aren’t limited to a single brand or niche of insurance.
Have a broad market: Wholesale brokers have access to expertise in unique industries and insurance products. They understand the way these products work, and the types of risks involved.

Managing General Agents do some of this, and they also:

Have special authority: MGAs can be given authority by insurers to underwrite and bind policies. In this way, they not only provide niche products but can customize them to suit consumer needs on behalf of an agent.
Have a say in cost: MGAs have more control over pricing and underwriting decisions than a wholesale insurance broker. They can modify set insurance plans to fit unique needs.
Specialize in niche products: MGAs specialize in narrow lines of insurance. They know the products in these lines well and understand the industries enough to modify coverage as needed.

The core difference between MGAs and wholesale insurance brokers is that wholesale brokers connect retail agents with a wide range of insurance carriers. MGAs have underwriting authority of their own to directly issue policies.

MGAs adjust pricing and coverage based on their own assessments of an agent’s client. They offer a level of flexibility that wholesale brokers don’t. However, wholesale brokers usually represent a greater number of insurance carriers and products to offer to a retail agent.

Is Working with an MGA Right for You?

This guide covered the role of an MGA, how MGA insurance works, and what MGAs bring to agent and insurer relations. So, is working with an MGA right for you? In most cases, the answer is yes.

Working with an MGA allows for market expansion, diversification of clients, and streamlined underwriting. Having an MGA in your corner gives you access to a broader range of coverage for clients in niche industries or with unique risks.

At Novatae, we can act as both a wholesale broker and MGA,. Our team is well-versed in a range of industry-specific risk exposures, offering access to outside-of-the-box insurance products.

For more information or to request a quote, contact us.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.