If you’ve ever tried to call a home insurance company in Florida to buy a policy and been told to “contact your agent,” you’re not alone. A lot of the companies writing homeowners insurance in this state don’t sell directly to the public. They place and service their policies through independent agencies. For homeowners in Port St. Joe, Cape San Blas, Wewahitchka and the rest of Gulf County, that changes how you shop. Insuring the Coast Insurance Agency is a local independent insurance agency on Reid Avenue, and here’s a plain look at how it works.
Dunes on Cape San Blas, Gulf County.
Captive, Direct and Independent Agents: What’s the Difference?
There are basically three ways insurance gets sold:
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Captive agents work for one insurance company and sell only that company’s policies. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) describes a captive agent as one who “sells insurance for only one company.”
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Direct writers sell to you themselves, online or over the phone, without an outside agent. The NAIC notes that “not all insurance companies use agents” and some sell coverage directly.
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Independent agents are appointed with several companies. Per the NAIC, an independent agent “may sell policies from many different companies,” so you get a choice of companies and coverages in one place.
None of these is automatically right or wrong. But on the Florida coast, the way a carrier chooses to sell decides who you can go to for a quote.
Carriers That Send You to an Agent
Here’s what some Florida home insurers say about this on their own websites:
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Tower Hill. Tower Hill’s FAQ says it uses “independent agencies to place business with us and service the policies” and that it is “not a direct-writer company that sells policies to the consumer.” Its Tower Hill Insurance Exchange page says Exchange products are available “exclusively through the insurance agencies authorized to represent the Exchange and other Tower Hill affiliates.” With Tower Hill, you’ll need an agent.
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Florida Family Insurance. Under “How to get coverage through Florida Family,” the Florida Family coverage page says it offers its policies “through our network of authorized, Independent Agents.”
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SageSure (including Olympus). SageSure, which acquired Olympus Insurance, says in its FAQ that you “can purchase a homeowners policy from one of our many enrolled insurance agents,” and that its role is to give “agents and brokers” access to coverage options. Olympus’s contact page tells policyholders with questions about their coverage or premium to “contact your agent directly.”
Other companies sell several ways, including through their own websites or call centers, so this isn’t true of every carrier. Carrier rules can change, and each company decides which homes it will write, so availability in Gulf County varies.
What “Agent-Only” Means for You
When a carrier works through agents, your agent is your main point of contact for most things:
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Quotes. You generally can’t get a quote by calling the company. The agent runs the quote and submits the application.
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Coverage changes. Tower Hill’s FAQ says that if you call its customer service center about a policy change or your coverage options, “we will ask you to speak to your agent.” The company can still help with billing and explain rating factors such as credits and surcharges, but it “cannot recommend changes.”
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Claims. You report a claim to the insurance company, usually through its claims line or website. Your agent can still help you understand your coverage, gather what you need and follow up, and that matters most after a storm.
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Renewals. If your premium jumps or you get a non-renewal notice, your agent can look at what else is available for your home.
Citizens Policies Go Through an Agent, Too
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, Florida’s state-created insurer of last resort, also works through agents. Citizens’ “Get a Policy” page says, “Only appointed Citizens agents can help you purchase a Citizens policy.” Under Florida law, Citizens can only write a new policy if coverage isn’t available from a Florida-authorized private insurer or if comparable private coverage costs more than 20 percent more than Citizens. An agent can check your eligibility and look at private options. If you’re with Citizens, remember that its flood insurance requirement expands on January 1, 2027. Our post on flood insurance in Port St. Joe and Gulf County covers what that means.
Why It Matters on the Forgotten Coast
Homes around here are rated on things like distance to the bay or Gulf, roof age, construction and wind mitigation features. Two houses on the same street can get very different results from different companies, and one carrier may decline a home another will write. Because many carriers only take business from appointed agencies, a homeowner who calls companies one at a time can run into a lot of “talk to your agent.”
An independent agency can shop several of the carriers it’s appointed with at once and lay the quotes side by side, so you can compare coverage, deductibles and price. It doesn’t promise a lower premium, and it doesn’t mean every carrier will write every home. It does mean you can see more of the market without making ten phone calls. We wrote more about how that process works in Looking for the Best Insurance Agency in Florida? Why Insuring the Coast Shops the Market for You.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Tower Hill policy directly from Tower Hill?
According to Tower Hill’s own FAQ, no. It says it is not a direct writer and places business through independent agencies. Its Exchange products are sold only through authorized agencies.
Does using an independent agent cost more?
Agents are generally paid a commission by the insurance company, which the NAIC notes as well. Each insurer sets its own rates, and the premium depends on the carrier and your property. If you want to know how we’re paid, ask and we’ll explain it.
Can I call my insurance company directly after a hurricane?
Yes. You can report a claim directly to your carrier, and you should do it as soon as it’s safe. Call us too, and we’ll help you work through the process.
If I’m with Citizens now, can an agent look for private coverage?
Yes. An agent can check whether private carriers will offer coverage for your home, subject to availability and underwriting.
Talk to a Local Independent Agency
Insuring the Coast Insurance Agency is an independent agency at 402 Reid Ave, Ste B in Port St. Joe, serving homeowners from Destin to St. George Island. We’ll tell you which carriers we can quote for your home and compare your homeowners insurance options side by side, subject to availability and underwriting.
Call or text (850) 203-3643 or email to get started. You can also request a quote online or visit our Port St. Joe office.
Disclaimer: This article is provided by Insuring the Coast Insurance Agency for general informational purposes only. It is not an insurance contract, a guarantee of coverage or rates, or legal advice. Carrier names are used only to describe each company’s publicly stated sales and service practices. Naming a carrier doesn’t mean it is appointed with or endorses our agency, or that it will offer coverage for your property. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued, as well as underwriting approval and availability. Premiums and eligibility vary by carrier and property. Carrier practices and program rules (including Citizens requirements) can change, so please contact a licensed insurance agent to review your specific situation.
Sources checked Oct 28, 2026: Tower Hill FAQ and Tower Hill Insurance Exchange page (thig.com), Florida Family Insurance coverage page, SageSure FAQ, Olympus Insurance contact page, Citizens Property Insurance “Get a Policy” page, NAIC “How to Choose an Insurance Agent”.
