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

Insurance company that has the authority to assess or charge its policyholders for losses that the company is incurring. This company is sometimes called stipulated premium company or ...

Length of time required to amortize the excess expenses of acquiring a given group of life insurance policies. In acquiring a policy, a life insurance company may incur expenses (such as ...

Investment risk associated with the psychology of the market in that emotions affect the price of a company's stock that, in most instances, has nothing to do with the current or potential ...

The term pro rata comes from Latin and translates to in proportion, proportionally, the proportion of, proportionately determined, or according to a specific rate. It is often used in legal ...

Figure in a mortality table derived by dividing the number of people dying during a given year by the number of people alive at the beginning of that same year. ...

Type of surety bond that is either a fiduciary or a court bond. Fiduciary Bond guarantees that individuals in a position of trust will safeguard assets belonging to others placed under ...

Group of insurers or re insurers involved in joint underwriting. Members typically take predetermined shares of premiums, losses, expenses, and profits. Syndicates, more common in ...

Document used in the transportation of goods that must be presented when a claim is made for a loss incurred. This document establishes the fact that the goods were under the care, custody, ...

Retention of all files of policies sold by the agent of record who, according to written agreement with the insurance company, has the exclusive rights to solicit renewals. ...

Popular Insurance Questions