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

Section of the insurance company that administers claims for the losses incurred by the insured. ...

Allocation of monetary resources to equities. ...

Procedure under which the ceding company (the primary or fronting company) cedes the risk it has underwritten to its reinsurer with the ceding company retaining none or a very small portion ...

Form of cash refund annuity used by contributory pension or employee benefit plans. When employee participants die before receiving all of their contributions in the form of retirement ...

Estimate of maximum dollar value that can be lost under realistic situations. For example, a fire or other peril occurs, but a sprinkler system works and a fire department responds in good ...

Factor considered in determining amount of life insurance to purchase in order that funds will be available to pay the emergency expenses following the death of a family member. ...

Highest price investor is willing to pay for a stock or mutual fund unit and lowest price a seller of a stock or mutual fund is willing to accept. ...

Written contract between an insured and an insurance company stating the obligations and responsibilities of each party. ...

Individual in charge of an insurance company agency. The manager is an employee of the company and is usually compensated on a salary-and-bonus basis, the latter relating to premium volume ...

Popular Insurance Questions