Market & Policy · Insurance Term
Agent of Record (AOR)
Definition
The agent of record is the agent or broker an insurance company recognizes as representing a policyholder on a particular policy. A policyholder can change it by signing a broker of record (BOR) letter, which lets the new agent service the policy or market the renewal.
In Plain English
Insurance markets generally work with only one agent per policyholder at a time for the same risk. If two agents approach the same insurer for your renewal, the insurer may honor the agent who submitted first, or ask you to choose. A BOR letter is how you choose.
A BOR letter is a short signed letter on your company letterhead naming the new agent and the policies it applies to. Insurers often give the current agent a short window to respond before the change takes effect. The change usually affects servicing and future commissions, not the coverage itself.
Timing matters. Many owners decide on their agent of record well before the renewal date, so the chosen agent has time to prepare a full submission and work with the right markets, including through a wholesale broker when needed.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical: an owner of four retail centers wants a new agent to market the renewal three months out. Two of the incumbent insurers will not release quotes to the new agent without a BOR letter, so the owner signs one for those policies and the new agent takes over servicing.
What to Watch For
- Decide on your agent before renewal marketing starts, to avoid markets being blocked.
- Make the BOR letter specific: named insured, policy numbers and effective date.
- Ask the new agent how they will handle certificates and open claims during the transition.
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write