Marsh & McLennan has filed a statement with the US regulator saying it is entitled to receive compensation from insurers in cases where it acts as an agent.

The filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission notes that a recent amendment to an agreement with New York Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer modified the insurer’s settlement from last year.

Last year the insurer agreed to stop accepting contingent commissions after Mr Spitzer’s investigation of US market practices.

However, the filing notes that when Marsh has been named as the agent for a specific insurer and places a line of business only with that insurer, the company is now able to share in the profit of that business.

It is believed Aon, which also agreed to forgo contingent commissions after a similar investigation, has been in discussions with Mr Spitzer’s office on the same issue. It is expected No 3 broker Willis will follow suit.