Who owns a stock company?

A stock company is owned by its stockholders, who invest in the company by purchasing shares of stock. This ownership structure allows stockholders to have a say in major corporate decisions, typically through voting rights associated with their shares. The primary purpose of a stock company is to generate profits for its shareholders, and this is achieved through various business operations, including selling insurance.

In contrast, a mutual insurance company is owned by its policyholders, who are also considered members. This means that the policyholders have an interest in the performance of the company, as profits can be returned to them in the form of dividends or reduced premiums. Insurance agents are independent professionals who sell insurance policies and do not hold ownership in the companies whose policies they sell, and the government does not own stock companies unless they are state-run entities, which is uncommon in the private insurance market.