What is difference between a fee and commission?

A commission is compensation received by a broker or insurance agent paid by the insurance company and is a percentage of the insurance premium, or a percentage of a portion of the insurance premium.

A fee, on the other hand, is a fixed dollar amount (not a set percent of the premium) and can be paid either by the party buying the insurance or by the insurance carrier. Often, clients with large premiums, or complex risks negotiate with their broker to provide services, including the placement of insurance for a flat fee. The insurance is than placed "net of" or without commission. Many people feel that this is a more transparent method of broker compensation and eliminates broker bias to higher premiums or carriers which pay a higher commission.

In certain circumstances, both a fee and a commission are charged. This usually occurs when the broker is providing services which are not property compensated by the commission in the policy. When a fee is charged in addition to a commission, it should be disclosed who the fee is being paid to, and for what service.