What is the difference between an insurance agent and an insurance advisor?

An insurance agent is a producer: a person licensed by a state to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance on behalf of insurers. An insurance adviser, called a consultant in states such as New York, is a separate license type. The adviser counsels clients on coverage and typically charges a fee for advice rather than earning a commission from a carrier, and several states require that fee arrangement to be in a written agreement.