The gap is closing between pricing among direct and indirect auto insurers, according to a recent study from Conning Research & Consulting Inc. Insurers that sell directly to car buyers have long touted the fact that their pricing is lower because they bypass the agent-middleman. But the Conning study suggests that with car-insurance prices dropping in many states, agent-based insurers will pay less in commissions, while their direct-insurer

counterparts will shell out the same amount or more to lure new business. Which insurers stand to gain? Companies like Allstate Corp. [ticker: ALL] and Safeco Corp. [ticker: SAF], according to the Wall Street Journal article. Geico is among those that may need to boost ad spending.

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