While this term is often used for captive or exclusive agents, it is more accurate to apply the term to companies that sell their products directly to the public with advertising, inbound telemarketing, direct mail, and the Internet. The best known of these is GEICO. Each state requires a licensed agent in that state to sell insurance. Thus, direct writers will have an employee licensed in each state to sell policies.Most direct writers use advertising to promote the company and encourage consumers to contact them directly for help with their insurance needs. Direct writers have non-neighborhood offices or agents to visit. Questions and claims are handled through the phone, mail, or Internet.One of the advantages of the direct writer is that the cost of the insurance is often lower because no commission is paid to an agent. On the other hand, there are no agents to visit personally when a need arises or a claim is filed. The policyholder must contact the direct writer’s office for assistance. For individuals who place a low value on face-to-face business relationships a direct writer is often a lower cost alternative. (See Agent).