Do You Need a Carrier Appointment to Sell Insurance in Tennessee?

Your Tennessee insurance license is your foundation—but it's not the whole picture. To actually sell insurance policies, you need appointments with insurance carriers. Understanding how this works helps you plan your career path effectively.

What Is a Carrier Appointment?

A carrier appointment (also called "being appointed") is the formal authorization from an insurance company allowing you to sell their products. Think of it this way:

• Your license = Legal permission from Tennessee to sell insurance
• Your appointment = Permission from a specific company to sell their policies

Without appointments, you're licensed but have nothing to sell. You can't walk into State Farm, Allstate, or any carrier and start writing policies just because you have a license—you need their specific authorization.

How Tennessee Appointments Work

According to Tennessee regulationsLicensing Center State Requirements Tennessee Resident Licensing Individual Nipr.com, when an insurance company enters into an agreement with an agent:

• The insurer must file an appointment form within 15 days of the contract date
• Agents may begin working when the contract/agreement is entered into (you don't have to wait for the formal filing)
• If an insurer terminates an appointment, they must notify the Tennessee Commissioner within 30 days

The appointment process is handled administratively—you don't need to do special paperwork with the state. The carrier files the appointment, and it's recorded against your license.

How to Get Appointed

Option 1: Join an Agency (Most Common for New Agents)

The easiest path to appointments is joining an established agency. When you're hired:

• The agency adds you to their existing carrier contracts
• You're appointed with whatever carriers the agency represents
• The agency handles the administrative work
• You can start selling immediately upon completing any required carrier training

This is why most new agents start with an agency rather than going independent immediately—getting appointments as a brand-new agent with no track record is difficult.

Option 2: Captive Agent Positions

Captive agents work exclusively for one insurance company (State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, etc.). When hired as a captive agent:

• You're automatically appointed with that carrier
• You sell only their products
• The company provides training, leads, and support
• Your appointment is tied to your employment

Captive positions are often the smoothest entry point for new agents because everything—appointment, training, products—is packaged together.

Option 3: Independent Agency Route

Independent agents represent multiple carriers. Getting appointed independently requires:

• Demonstrating production potential or experience
• Meeting carrier requirements (some require minimum premium commitments)
• Often working through a Managing General Agent (MGA) or cluster group initially

New agents rarely get direct appointments from major carriers without a track record. Most build experience elsewhere first, then transition to independence.

Option 4: Managing General Agents (MGAs)

MGAs serve as intermediaries between agents and carriers. They can:

• Provide access to multiple carriers under one relationship
• Offer appointments to agents who might not qualify directly with carriers
• Handle administrative work and provide support services

Working with an MGA is a common stepping stone for agents transitioning from captive to independent work.

For more on career paths, explore our comparison of captive vs. independent agentsPre License Captive Vs. Independent Insurance Agent Resources.

What Carriers Look For

When carriers consider appointing agents, they typically evaluate:

For new agents:

• Valid insurance license
• Clean background check
• Completion of carrier-specific training
• Association with a reputable agency (if not going captive)

For experienced agents seeking direct appointments:

• Production history (premium volume)
• Retention rates
• Claims experience
• E&O insurance coverage
• Business plan and market focus

Carriers invest in training and systems for appointed agents, so they want confidence you'll produce meaningful business.

Multiple Appointments

Unless you're a captive agent (who represents only one company), you can hold appointments with multiple carriers simultaneously. Independent agents often have appointments with:

• Multiple personal lines carriers (auto, home)
• Several life insurance companies
• Various commercial lines markets
• Specialty carriers for niche products

More appointments mean more options for clients—and more flexibility in placing business. Building your carrier portfolio is an ongoing process throughout your career.