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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate coexistence of multiple distribution systems in property‐casualty (P/C) insurance industry in the USA.Design/methodology/approachStochastic frontier analysis is used to measure cost and revenue efficiencies of P/C insurance companies utilizing different distribution systems.FindingsIndependent agent insurers are found to be cost inefficient compared to insurers with other distribution systems, but the independent agent insurers have better revenue efficiency compared to their long counterpart, the exclusive agent insurers. This study also documents that the direct writing system provides higher cost and revenue efficiencies than other distribution systems, although their efficiencies have been deteriorating during the same time period.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could examine whether the findings change by measuring efficiencies with a non‐parametric method, i.e. data envelopment analysis.Practical implicationsA start‐up insurer should consider a direct writing system, which is most cost and revenue efficient.Originality/valueThis paper investigates efficiencies of insurers by four different distribution systems and tracks efficiency changes of insurers over 12‐year periods.

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