Definition of "Power of attorney"

Legal instrument whereby an individual is given the right to act on behalf of another individual. For example, the right to buy and sell stock and to sign all brokerage papers relating to buying and selling in a stockholder's account is given by the stockholder to another individual through power of attorney. Or the right to decide which settlement option is to be used under a life insurance policy may be given by a policy owner to another individual. Experts often advise extreme care in assigning a power of attorney since that person becomes free to make financial decisions that can enhance or ruin an individual represented.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Signed receipt by policyowner acknowledging that policyowner is in possession of the policy. ...

Modification of the major medical insurance policy that provides coverage for the terminating employee who otherwise would not be covered by a health insurance policy. Usually, this ...

Relationship between expected incurred insurance-related costs (not including claims) and expected written premiums. ...

Dividends of a participating life insurance policy deemed by the Internal Revenue Service to be a return of a portion of premiums and thus not subject to taxation. ...

Deliberate act or omission. These torts include trespass an individual enters property owned or in the possession of another without permission; conversion an individual exerts control and ...

Mistake made during the manufacturing process of a product that results in an inherent defect in the product. This mistake is covered under products and completed operations insurance. ...

Legal recourse available to survivors of a person who suffers a wrongful death. Under common law, only an injured person had the right to sue for damages. If a wrongfully injured person ...

Cash carried forward from the previous year, plus gains from operations for the current year, plus any capital gains. ...

Arrangement between two or more insurance companies under which the parties to the agreement waive their subrogation rights against the other. Most such agreements are no longer in use. ...

Popular Insurance Questions