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Tied Agents

Tied advisers generally sell and advise on the products of just one company. They may or may not work directly for that company - sometimes they simply have strong ties and a good working knowledge of that company's products. They may be able to get access to a good deal because of their exclusive relationship with the provider.

They can tell you which of the company's products suits your needs. They have a responsibility to advise you honestly, and if none of the company's products suit your needs they should tell you so. But always be aware that they are not necessarily trying to advise you on the best over-all product for you, but rather the best product that the company itself has to offer you. They should not tell you a product is appropriate for you if it is not, but sometimes what is 'appropriate' can be a slippery concept.

Tied agents almost always work on commission, though there is some movement towards having advisors tied to specific companies working for a flat fee. You may find it more comfortable to seek out one of these companies.