re the rates from agents and insurance companies the same or different? 
I am aware of carriers that use different companies in their company group to offer different rates for clients that are not necessarily available to the agency distribution channel . The different distribution develop rate experience that is independent from the other and may rise or fall independently so that rates for one is higher than another . Carriers using multi-channel distribution systems where they write business directly are probably following this model if they also have an agency channel . There are some large carriers doing this and you 'd recognize them if I were to blab . I do n't hate them enough to out them . 