---
title: "What Is a Managing General Agent?"
description: "How an MGA can run part of an insurer's book, and why that role is not the same as being the issuing carrier."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/insurance-glossary/managing-general-agent"
page-type: "insurance-definition"
updated-at: "2026-09-21"
verified-at: "2026-09-21"
entities: ["Spot"]
---

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# What Is a Managing General Agent?

How an MGA can run part of an insurer's book, and why that role is not the same as being the issuing carrier.

A managing general agent is a producer given authority to manage part of an insurer's business as that insurer's agent, which can include underwriting. The MGA is not the insurance company named on the policy. [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx), [Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments](https://www.ambest.com/ratings/guidetouse.pdf)

## What an MGA Does

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. [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx)

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. [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx)

## What It Does 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. [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx)

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. [Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments](https://www.ambest.com/ratings/guidetouse.pdf)

## What to Confirm

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. [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx)

## Related terms

- [What Is an Insurance Carrier?](/insurance-glossary/insurance-carrier)
- [What Is an Insurance Producer License?](/insurance-glossary/insurance-producer-license)
- [What Is a Fronting Carrier?](/insurance-glossary/fronting-carrier)
- [What Is an AM Best Rating?](/insurance-glossary/am-best-rating)

## Sources

- [Insurance License Types and Fees](https://oci.wi.gov/Pages/Agents/TypesOfLicenses.aspx) — 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.
- [Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments](https://www.ambest.com/ratings/guidetouse.pdf) — 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.

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