What is an IMO in life insurance?

An IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) is a wholesale distributor in the life insurance industry that recruits and supports independent agents and agencies. IMOs contract with insurance carriers — either directly or through an FMO (Field Marketing Organization) — and distribute those contracts to agents below them in the distribution hierarchy. IMOs typically provide agents with carrier access, training, marketing support, and in some cases lead programs. In exchange, the IMO earns an override on the production of the agents it contracts. The terms IMO and FMO are often used interchangeably in the industry, though technically FMOs occupy a higher tier in the distribution hierarchy with direct carrier contracts.