Does Ethos Own The Client Or The Relationship?

Does Ethos own the clie

Does Ethos own the client or the relationship?

No, the agent owns the client relationship and Ethos owns the policy data and provides platform support. Ethos does not intentionally solicit your clients or attempt to sell them competing third-party products Ethos.

How the ownership works:

Your leads are yours: Any contact or client you bring to Ethos belongs to you. You have the right to keep marketing to them and building that relationship.
Ethos owns the file: Once a client starts an application, Ethos becomes the legal "owner" of that specific policy data. They need this ownership to handle the technical side—things like running background checks, issuing the policy, and managing the billing.
Shared: Both you and Ethos have the right to communicate with the client, but for different reasons. You're there for the long-term relationship and advice; Ethos is there for the technical "heavy lifting" like claims and customer support.

How agent of record (AOR) works:

You are the agent of record on any policy you write. This means your name is permanently attached to that policy for as long as it’s in effect.

Protection on future sales: If your client uses your personalized link to buy a second policy later, the system recognizes them and automatically keeps you as the AOR.
The 180-Day Rule: Generally, if a client starts an application through your link, you receive credit for any policy they activate within 180 days, even if they finish it later without clicking your link again.
Commission security: Because you are the AOR, Ethos protects your commission rights. Even if the client calls Ethos support for help, you remain the agent getting paid.

What happens if you leave?

If you decide to stop using Ethos, you still have your list of contacts and your business relationships. However, because Ethos acts as the administrator and paymaster, those effective policies stay on the Ethos platform. You generally cannot "move" those specific active policies to a different platform, but the clients themselves are still your people to help with other needs.

Ownership breakdown

The agent

The relationship
The lead information (shared)
Future compensation (AOR)
Agent of Record status

Ethos

The lead information (shared)
The policy paperwork
Compensation payout

How the ownership works:

Your leads are yours: Any contact or client you bring to Ethos belongs to you. You have the right to keep marketing to them and building that relationship.
Ethos owns the file: Once a client starts an application, Ethos becomes the legal "owner" of that specific policy data. They need this ownership to handle the technical side—things like running background checks, issuing the policy, and managing the billing.
Shared: Both you and Ethos have the right to communicate with the client, but for different reasons. You're there for the long-term relationship and advice; Ethos is there for the technical "heavy lifting" like claims and customer support.

How agent of record (AOR) works:

You are the agent of record on any policy you write. This means your name is permanently attached to that policy for as long as it’s in effect.

Protection on future sales: If your client uses your personalized link to buy a second policy later, the system recognizes them and automatically keeps you as the AOR.
The 180-Day Rule: Generally, if a client starts an application through your link, you receive credit for any policy they activate within 180 days, even if they finish it later without clicking your link again.
Commission security: Because you are the AOR, Ethos protects your commission rights. Even if the client calls Ethos support for help, you remain the agent getting paid.