Skip to content Accessibility info

Looking for an Independent Insurance Broker in Jacksonville, FL?

2,250+
Five-Star Reviews
80+
Companies
20+
Years
4.9★
Google Rating

Quick Answer

An independent insurance agent represents multiple insurance companies instead of just one. In Florida, the terms "independent insurance agent" and "insurance broker" are commonly used interchangeably for home, auto, flood, and business insurance. Both mean the same thing: someone who shops the market on your behalf instead of selling for only one company.

Augustyniak Insurance Group is a Jacksonville-based independent agency representing 80+ insurance companies, including 26 Florida home insurance companies. With 2,250+ five-star Google reviews and more than 20 years serving Northeast Florida, we help Florida families and businesses compare coverage and pricing in one place. Get a free quote or call (904) 268-3106.

Local · Independent · Trusted

Independent Insurance Agent in Jacksonville — Compare 80+ Companies in One Call

At Augustyniak Insurance Group, we have been helping Jacksonville families and businesses find the right coverage at the right price for over 20 years.

Shopping for insurance in Florida has become harder than it should be. Companies enter and leave the market. Rates can change dramatically at renewal. Captive agents often represent only one insurance company. Whether you searched for an independent insurance agent in Jacksonville FL or an independent insurance broker, you found the same thing: a local agency that works for you, not for one company.

Why Independent

Why Choose an Independent Insurance Agent or Broker?

As an independent agency, we are not tied to just one insurance company. 


That means we can:

Compare rates from 80+ companies

One conversation, multiple quotes side by side.

Customize to your situation

Coverage that fits your home, vehicles, and budget.

Advocate for you

We work for you, not the insurance company.

Local Jacksonville service

Same office, same team, since 2005.

Is this page for you?

  • You just got a renewal notice with a rate increase and want a second opinion
  • You are tired of calling 9 different websites and entering the same information
  • You have home, auto, and business policies scattered across different companies
  • You want one local person who answers the phone, not a call center
  • You do not know the difference between an independent agent, a broker, and a captive agent, and you want a straight answer

Get Quotes From Top Insurance Companies

As an independent insurance agency, we partner with top names like Auto-Owners, Progressive, Nationwide, Travelers, Chubb, Hartford, and many others.

One phone call gets you quotes from over 80 top insurance companies to help you find the right coverage at the right price.

Get My Free Quote
What Our Clients Say

2,250+ Five-Star Google Reviews

★★★★★

"Julie has taken the time to learn about my personal needs and extended multiple options to deliver the outcome that I required. Insurance is never a fun or sexy topic but Julie makes everything work seamlessly."

— Liz E., Verified Google Review
★★★★★

"Sonia was able to get us substantial savings not just on our homeowners, but on our auto and golf cart as well."

— Miro G., Jacksonville, FL — Verified Google Review
The Honest Answer

What's the Difference Between an Independent Agent and a Broker in Florida?

In Florida property and casualty insurance, an independent agent and an insurance broker are functionally the same thing. Florida licenses property and casualty professionals as 2-20 General Lines Agents. There is no separate "broker" license for home, auto, flood, or business insurance in Florida. The two words get used interchangeably by consumers and by agencies, but the role is identical.

Here is what actually matters. An independent agent or broker represents many insurance companies. A captive agent represents one. That is the real distinction.

Some states do issue separate broker licenses, mostly for surplus lines or specialty commercial coverage. In Florida, when you search for an "independent insurance broker in Jacksonville," what you actually need is an independent insurance agency licensed in Florida. That is what we are. Susan Augustyniak holds the Florida 2-20 General Lines Agent license, and the agency has been continuously licensed since 2005.

Bottom line: If someone calls themselves an "insurance broker" in Florida for home or auto insurance, ask if they are an independent agency. The licensing is the same. The company access is what changes.
The Real Comparison

Independent vs. Captive Agent

What Matters
Independent
Captive
Companies represented
80+ companies
One company
Florida home options
26 companies
One option
If your rate increases
We shop 79 others
You shop yourself
If your insurer leaves FL
We move you
You start over
Bundle discounts
Best bundle across all
One company only
Who pays the agent
Insurance company
Insurance company
Cost to you
Same as direct
Same as direct

Captive agents work hard for their clients. Many are good at what they do. But they are limited to one company's prices, one company's underwriting, and one company's appetite for Florida risk. When that company stops writing new policies in Jacksonville, which has happened repeatedly over the last five years, a captive agent has no second option to offer. An independent insurance agent or broker can pivot to other companies when the market changes. 

Want a deeper breakdown of how independent agents compare to captive companies like State Farm? Read our guide comparing State Farm vs independent insurance agents.

Want to see what's actually available for your address?

Send us your declarations page. We compare your rate against multiple companies, identify gaps in your coverage, and show you the options, all before you commit to anything.

No obligation · No pressure
What We Insure

What Insurance Lines Does Augustyniak Insurance Group Write?

We write personal, business, and specialty insurance for clients across Florida. Each line links to a deeper page with cost ranges, coverage breakdowns, and company comparisons.

Personal Insurance
  • Homeowners Insurance. We compare 26 Florida home insurance companies, including Tower Hill, Universal, ASI, Olympus, and Auto-Owners, for properties across Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties.
  • Auto Insurance. We compare 11 personal auto companies including Progressive, Nationwide, Travelers, Hartford, and AAA. Jacksonville drivers typically pay between $1,800 and $2,800 per year for full coverage.
  • Flood Insurance. NFIP plus 10+ private flood markets. Many Jacksonville homeowners pay less for private flood than NFIP, with more coverage included.
  • Umbrella Insurance. Adds $1 million to $5 million in liability protection above your home and auto policies. Most Florida households pay $400 to $900 per year.
  • Condo Insurance (HO-6). We shop 26 Florida condo companies. Coastal and high-rise buildings, including Ponte Vedra and the Beaches.
  • Classic Car Insurance. Agreed value coverage through Hagerty and American Collectors for collector, antique, and exotic vehicles.
  • Motorcycle Insurance. Separate coverage with proper UM coordination so your auto umbrella still applies.
  • Landlord Insurance and Renters Insurance. For Florida investment property owners and tenants.
Business Insurance
  • Business Insurance (BOP). Business owner's policies combining general liability and commercial property for small and mid-sized Florida businesses.
  • General Liability Insurance. For contractors, restaurants, service businesses, and any operation that interacts with the public.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance. For service trucks, delivery vehicles, fleets, and rideshare drivers in Jacksonville.
  • Workers' Compensation. Florida and Georgia. We write contractor, restaurant, and trade-specific workers' comp programs.
  • Commercial Umbrella. Extra business liability above your general liability and commercial auto limits.
  • Restaurant Insurance. Liquor liability, EPLI, workers' comp, and BOP coverage for Jacksonville restaurants, bars, and food service operations.
  • Contractors Insurance. General liability, workers' comp, and commercial auto for Florida trade contractors, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, painting, and remodeling.
  • Food Truck Insurance. Combined commercial auto, general liability, and equipment coverage for mobile food vendors across Florida.
Life Insurance
  • Life Insurance. Term, whole life, mortgage protection, and burial insurance for Florida families.
Locally Owned

Proudly Serving Jacksonville, FL

We are not a call center, we are right here in town. Stop by our office, give us a call, or schedule a virtual meeting. You will always talk to a real person who cares about your coverage.

Service Area

Where Do We Serve in Northeast Florida?

Augustyniak Insurance Group is headquartered in Jacksonville at 12058 San Jose Blvd, Suite 304. We are licensed throughout Florida and write policies statewide, with most of our clients concentrated in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties.

Jacksonville Neighborhoods

  • Mandarin
  • San Marco
  • Riverside
  • Avondale
  • Ortega
  • Southside
  • Arlington
  • San Jose

The Beaches

  • Jacksonville Beach
  • Neptune Beach
  • Atlantic Beach
  • Ponte Vedra Beach

St. Johns County

  • Nocatee
  • St. Augustine
  • World Golf Village
  • Fruit Cove
  • Julington Creek

Clay & Nassau Counties

  • Orange Park
  • Fleming Island
  • Middleburg
  • Yulee
  • Fernandina Beach
  • Amelia Island

If your property is in Florida, we can write it. Our license, our company appointments, and our claims relationships extend statewide, including Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Gainesville, and beyond the Jacksonville metro.

The Money Question

How Does an Independent Agent Get Paid? Do I Pay More?

You pay the same premium whether you buy directly from the insurance company or through an independent insurance agent. The company pays the agent's commission, and that cost is already built into the rate. Buying direct usually does not save money. It simply means you shop one company at a time yourself.

Independent insurance agents and brokers are typically paid a commission by the insurance company when a policy is purchased or renewed. In Florida, you can request commission disclosure if you want to see how compensation works.

  • You pay the same rate either way. The price for a Progressive auto policy is the same whether you buy from Progressive directly or through our agency.
  • Our focus is long-term value for you. If a less expensive insurance company provides the right coverage, service, and overall value for your situation, that is often the option we recommend.
  • The company with the best fit usually wins. Most of the insurance companies we represent pay similar commission percentages, so coverage, pricing, and long-term value drive the recommendation.

Still wondering how commissions actually work or whether buying direct saves money? Read our full guide on how independent insurance agents get paid.

Key point: Going through an independent insurance agency does not add an extra fee on top of your premium. The advantage is access to multiple insurance companies, coverage comparisons, and local guidance in one place.
Real Example

What Does Shopping 11 Companies Look Like?

When a client comes to us for an auto insurance quote, we run their information through every company on our roster that fits their situation. Here is a real comparison from a recent auto insurance review.

Same Driver. Two Companies. Same Coverage.

A 38-year-old driver in Orange Park, clean record, 2021 Toyota Camry, 100/300/100 liability, $500 deductibles, stacked uninsured motorist. We ran this household through multiple companies during a recent policy review.

Company A — all discounts

$1,340/yr

Company B — same coverage

$2,180/yr

$840 per year difference for the exact same coverage. Without an independent agency comparing both companies, this driver would have no way to know the cheaper option existed. Multiply that by bundle savings on the home policy and an umbrella discount, and a single conversation moved the needle by more than $1,200 a year.

This is what independent agency work actually is. We do not have a magic wand. We have access to 80 companies and the experience to know which ones price competitively for which households. That is the whole product.

80+ Insurance Companies — We Compare Them All

Could $840 a year be sitting in your policy?

One conversation tells you whether you are overpaying. We compare your rate against multiple insurance companies and show you the options.

Most quotes come back same day

Why Choose Augustyniak Insurance Group?

2,250+ five-star Google reviews and a 4.9 ratingOne of the most-reviewed independent insurance agencies in Northeast Florida.
12
Three Best Rated for 12 consecutive years (2014 to 2025)An independent ranking based on reputation, history, complaints, ratings, and satisfaction.
80
80+ insurance companies under one roof26 Florida home, 11 personal auto, plus business and specialty markets.
20
20+ years serving Northeast FloridaContinuously licensed since 2005, based in Jacksonville the entire time.
Local team, local phone, local officeYou call (904) 268-3106 and a licensed person in our Jacksonville office picks up.
Proactive policy reviews and claims advocacyWhen companies raise rates or change underwriting, we reach out before your renewal lands. When you have a claim, we coordinate with the company on your behalf.
How It Works

How Do We Compare 80+ Companies for You?

Three steps. One conversation. Most quotes come back the same day or next business day.

1

We Review

Send us your current declarations page or tell us what you need to insure. We review your coverage, identify gaps, and note where you may be overpaying.

2

We Compare

We run your information through every company that fits your situation and compare rates, coverage, discounts, and deductibles side by side.

3

You Choose

We present your best options with a clear recommendation. You pick what fits your household. No pressure, no games.

Let Us Shop Insurance So You Don't Have To

Tired of calling around for quotes? We make it simple. Our team compares rates from 80+ top Florida insurance companies, all in one place.

We work with trusted names like Progressive, Auto-Owners, Nationwide, Travelers, and many others.

Start My Quote Now
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers

What's the difference between an independent insurance agent and a broker in Florida?

In Florida property and casualty insurance, the terms are used interchangeably. Florida licenses property and casualty professionals as 2-20 General Lines Agents. There is no separate broker license for home, auto, flood, or business insurance. An independent agent or broker represents multiple insurance companies, in contrast to a captive agent who represents one. The licensing is the same. The company access is what matters.

How does an independent insurance agent get paid?

The insurance company pays the agent a commission when you purchase a policy. The commission is a percentage of your annual premium, and it is built into the rate. You pay the same premium whether you buy directly from the company or through an independent agent.

Do I pay more by going through an independent agent or broker?

No. The price for a given company's policy is the same whether you buy direct or through an independent agency. Most companies do not even sell direct in Florida. Auto-Owners, Chubb, Tower Hill, and many home insurance companies only sell through independent agents.

Are independent insurance agents better than captive agents like State Farm or GEICO?

It depends on what you value. A captive agent represents one company and can become an expert on that company's products. An independent agent represents many companies and shops the market on your behalf. In Florida's current home insurance market, where companies regularly leave the state or stop writing new policies, independent agency access is generally more valuable than deep expertise in a single company's product line.

How many insurance companies does Augustyniak Insurance Group represent?

We represent 80+ insurance companies across all lines, including 26 Florida home insurance companies and 11 personal auto companies. Our roster covers personal, business, and specialty insurance for clients throughout Florida.

Can an independent insurance agent help with claims?

Yes. Independent agents typically advocate with the company on your behalf during a claim. We coordinate with the adjuster, help you document the loss, and follow the claim through to resolution. Captive agents do the same for their company. The difference is that we have working relationships with claims teams at 80+ companies.

What insurance lines does Augustyniak Insurance Group write?

Personal insurance: home, auto, flood, umbrella, condo, classic car, motorcycle, boat, RV, landlord, and renters. Business insurance: general liability, commercial auto, workers' compensation, BOP, commercial umbrella, plus restaurant, contractor, and food truck programs. Life insurance: term, whole life, mortgage protection, and burial insurance.

Is Augustyniak Insurance Group licensed in Florida?

Yes. Augustyniak Insurance Group has been continuously licensed in Florida since 2005. Susan Augustyniak holds the Florida 2-20 General Lines Agent license and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. The agency is also licensed to write workers' compensation in Georgia.

What areas of Jacksonville do you serve?

We serve all of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including Mandarin, San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, the Beaches, Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Orange Park, Fleming Island, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach, and Palm Coast. We are licensed statewide and can write policies for any Florida address.

How do I switch from my current agent to Augustyniak Insurance Group?

The simplest way is to send us your current declarations page. We compare your coverage and rates against multiple companies, then show you the options. If you stay with your current company, we can do an agent of record change with no lapse in coverage. If we find a better fit, we coordinate the transition. There is no fee to compare and no obligation to switch.