Three rural NSW branches of Elders Insurance were temporarily closed after the agent running them left suddenly following “a breach in his agreement”.

A source has told insuranceNEWS.com.au that staff were led out of offices in Glen Innes, Forster and Port Macquarie and the locks were changed.

A spokesman for QBE, which owns the rural insurer, says the offices have since been reopened.

“The agent who had been running the Elders agencies in Glen Innes, Forster and Port Macquarie left the business at the end of August,” the spokesman said.

“A new agent will be appointed as soon as possible.”

The spokesman says the agent left “because of a breach in his agreement” with Elders.

“We’re unable to share any further details at this time,” he said.