Which type of agency has agreements with multiple insurers?

An independent agency is characterized by its agreements with multiple insurers, allowing it to offer a wider variety of insurance products to its clients. This flexibility enables the independent agent to shop around and select the policies that best match a client's needs from various companies, promoting more competitive pricing and coverage options. This model is beneficial for consumers who want personalized service and the ability to compare different insurance options without being tied to a single insurer.

In contrast, a captive agency typically represents one insurer, limiting the options available to clients. A career agency also has an exclusive relationship with a specific company and acts in a similar way to a captive agency. Meanwhile, a direct response agency operates without intermediaries, selling insurance products directly to consumers, which means they do not engage with multiple insurers in the same manner as independent agencies.

Thus, the distinctive feature of independent agencies having contracts with multiple insurers is what makes this the correct answer.