Contracting
15 Questions to Ask an FMO Before You Sign
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read · By UplineReview
Recruiters are good at talking about commissions and leads. The questions below cover what they would rather skip — and the answers tell you more than any pitch deck. Bring them to every contracting call, and compare what you hear against verified agent reviews in the FMO directory.
Release and exit (ask these first)
- What is your release policy, and will you put it in writing?
- Under what circumstances have you refused a release in the past year?
- If I leave, what happens to my renewals and my clients?
- Are there non-solicitation or non-compete clauses in the contract?
An open-release upline answers these instantly. Evasion here is the biggest red flag in contracting — see our full guide on how to leave an FMO for why.
Compensation and ownership
- Am I contracted at street level? Which carriers and at what rates?
- Is this a direct appointment or an LOA contract?
- Do I own my book of business and renewals from day one?
- How are chargebacks and debt handled if a policy lapses?
If any answer involves the agency owning your clients, read our LOA vs independent breakdown before agreeing, and understand how chargebacks work before taking advances.
Support, leads, and proof
- What does your lead program actually cost, and who owns the leads?
- What specific training do new agents get in the first 90 days?
- Who do I call when a carrier issue needs escalation, and how fast do they respond?
- Which carriers do you hold top-level contracts with?
- How many agents contracted with you last year — and how many left?
- Can I speak with two producing agents who have been here over a year?
- Why should I choose you over the other FMOs recruiting me?
Then verify everything
Every claim a recruiter makes is checkable. Compare their answers against what verified, NPN-authenticated agents report in Medicare FMO reviews and life insurance FMO reviews, and check the Agent Warning List for unresolved debt and conduct reports before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single most important question to ask an FMO?
+
Ask for the release policy in writing. An upline confident in its value will grant open releases; one that plans to retain agents through friction will dodge the question. The answer predicts your entire experience.
Should I ask an FMO for above-street commission?
+
If you have production history or bring a downline, yes. But verify the published street rate with the carrier first so you know what you're comparing against, and never trade a good release policy for a few extra points.
More from the blog
Insurance Commission Levels Explained
Street level, above street, LOA — what each contract level actually pays, and how to tell whether your FMO is giving you a fair contract.
What Is a Chargeback in Insurance?
Chargebacks are the number one way new agents end up owing money to carriers and uplines. Here's how advances create debt and how to protect yourself.
LOA vs Independent: Which Contract Should You Sign?
The LOA vs independent decision determines who owns your clients, your renewals, and your future leverage. Here's how to choose.
Research before you contract
Medicare FMO reviews
Uplines for Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and PDP contracting.
Life insurance FMO reviews
Uplines for term, whole life, IUL, and final expense.
Final expense FMO reviews
Uplines built for the final expense market.
Annuity IMO reviews
How annuity IMOs compare on comp, marketing allowances, and support.
What is an FMO?
How FMOs, IMOs, and uplines fit into insurance distribution.
Best FMO for new agents
How to choose your first upline before you contract.
Know your upline before you sign.
Read verified, NPN-authenticated reviews from licensed agents, always free.
Browse the FMO Directory