Agent? Carrier? Expand your vocabulary and your knowledge.

As you go about your day, you likely draw on a variety of people to answer specific questions. Is it a matter for the principal? Is it a school board issue? Maybe you need to speak to a janitor, turn to a paraprofessional or consult with a teacher. The Massachusetts Teachers Association represents a diverse family of educators and individuals in a range of roles.

Within the insurance industry, we organize into a similar diverse range of roles — and there are different reasons to call on individuals in those roles to help you. At Educators Insurance Agency, we often field questions about those roles. 

• Are “agent” and “carrier” interchangeable? 
• Who’s my insurance company?

We’re happy to answer those questions so that you can get the most efficient service and immediate answers to the tougher questions and the coverage that’s right for you. 

First, consider the people in the process of insurance. That’s probably you and the person you purchased it from — and the team that helps you in the event of a claim or change in coverage needs.

Those people effectively represent the retail side of the insurance industry and are considered agents because they deal with customers in the community. Agents sell policies on behalf of insurance carriers, and can represent one or multiple companies. At Educators Insurance, we are agents who help advise MTA members and their families on the best coverage, policies and products to meet their needs. 

Carriers on the other hand, set rates and determine premiums. At Educators Insurance Agency, we’re proud to represent carriers including Andover Insurance Company and The Hanover Insurance Group.