"Independence" is great, but it doesn't mean an agent won't play favorites. That's okay, so long as the agent's favorite consistently provides proper coverage, rather than the best commission structure.

The reason for asking this question in advance of doing business, however, has to do with how you will size up the agent's advice. If, after a needs analysis, the agent is recommending companies that are not the primary carriers he works with, you will want to know why. If he picks his fave, you'll want to know what makes this a better policy than other available options.