Independent agents represent many carriers
An independent agency isn't owned by an insurance company. It's appointed by several carriers, so it can compare your situation across all of them and place you with whichever fits best. If your needs change — a teen driver, a coastal home, a new business vehicle — an independent agent can re-shop without you starting over.
Because they aren't tied to one company's appetite, independent agents are often the better fit for anything non-standard: older homes, mixed personal-and-business needs, or areas where some carriers won't write.
Captive agents represent one company
A captive agent works for a single insurer and sells that company's policies. You may get deep knowledge of that one carrier's products and strong brand familiarity — but if that company isn't competitive for your situation, the captive agent can't move you somewhere else.
Buying direct means you do the shopping
Direct-to-consumer (online or call-center) can be fast for simple, standard needs. The trade-off is that you're the one comparing quotes, reading the fine print, and deciding what coverage you actually need — there's no licensed advisor sitting on your side of the table.
Which should you choose?
If your situation is simple and you're comfortable comparing policies yourself, direct can work. If you want one licensed person who can shop multiple carriers and stay with you as life changes, an independent agent is usually the strongest fit. There's no universally "best" answer — only the best fit for your situation, which is exactly what an independent agent is set up to find.