"Agents who are supposedly independent are not like franchisees who must follow all of the franchisor's rules.... Insurance companies may also want to consider: [1] Carving out agents they deem to be independent contractors from ERISA plans; [2] Not referring to agents as employees in training and personnel manuals; [3] Adding a term to agents' agreements expressly stating when the agreement will be renewable; [4] Allowing the agents to control their book of business, or, at the very least, having discretion in selling their agency and in writing business for other insurance carriers."  MORE >>