work with an insurance broker, forget about the captive agents like StateFarm or Allstate.

As a "captive vendor" employee, I wasn't the priority over the independent broker who could take the deal anywhere.Maybe it'll switch again, and I'll jump ship again.

Full disclosure: I am a captive insurance agent.On top of @Wayne Brooks' comment, there are issues on the insurance end as well.

Our focus is on captivating neighborhoods such as Midtown Alpharetta, Aerotropolis, Lawrenceville, Johns Creek, Buford, and Peachtree.

Think of all those captive leads sitting at your table every day.  

Regarding insurance income, your gf's brother in law was probably a captive agent, meaning he only sells for one company (NW Mutual), I'm independent, so I can represent multiple companies & get higher commissions based on production.

Of course you would have said it much more captivating :)

When banks stop lending to other banks, because they cannot determine with any level of confidence which assets on balance sheets are really worth something, and how much, OK that is not a cyclical market correction -- that is a broken market system.There was a time in late 2008 when some big names like CAT and Deere and Honda and Toyota and others like them were unable to obtain debt funding for their financial services captives for a period of several weeks. 

At the same time I think I would look long and hard at Milwaukee, Madison, and Grand Rapids before choosing Minneapolis.Madison has a captive audience with student housing needs near the campus and downtown.  

@Nathan S.Ask the agent if he is independent or captive agent Captive agent usually works with one company such as prudential or State FarmThey will only sell their policies Independent agent will shop rates from various companies that they can get the best rate.