What kind of insurer provides a program of social insurance as an extension of government?

The correct answer is a government insurer. Government insurers are entities created and operated by national or local governments to provide particular types of insurance that often serve public interests. The services offered by government insurers commonly include social insurance programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, and various other health and welfare programs. These insurance programs are designed to provide financial protection and support to citizens, especially in circumstances such as unemployment, disability, or retirement.

Government insurers are distinct from other types of insurance providers, such as franchise insurers or fraternal benefit insurers, which operate under different principles. Franchise insurers typically focus on providing coverage to specific groups or businesses under a franchise agreement, while fraternal benefit insurers are nonprofit entities that provide insurance to members of a particular association or organization, often emphasizing mutual aid and community support rather than broad social insurance objectives. General agents, on the other hand, are representatives or intermediaries who sell insurance policies rather than being a type of insurer themselves.