Final answer:
An agent can provide advice and counsel to the customer upon the customer's verbal or written request or if it benefits the client. The agent must act within their authority and adhere to regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under certain conditions, an agent can provide advice and counsel to the customer. These conditions could include, but might not be limited to, instances such as: A. Upon a verbal request by the customer, B. Upon a written request by the customer, or C. When the request benefits the agent's client. The option, D. Never, is generally not correct as agents often have the role of advising and providing information to their customers based on specific requests. Provided they are acting within the scope of their authority and following regulatory and company guidelines, agents should offer advice when appropriately requested by the customer.