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

Calculations involving the mortality rate of a company's insureds and the rate of return on the company's investments. It is used in calculating the prospective reserve. ...

Combination of coverages from property and liability policies. ...

Accident policy that covers a traveler for a single trip on an airplane or other common carrier. The name comes from its origin as part of the ticket or ticket stub, but these policies are ...

Break in commercial activities due to the occurrence of a peril. Coverage against business interruption by various named perils can be obtained through insurance. ...

Limitation under a contributory pension plan of an employee's right to receive vested benefits. The employee can withdraw contributions to the pension plan only according to stated ...

In a pension plan that an employer is required to make against future contributions (other than a cash basis as required by the IRS). Such credits may arise when an employee leaves an ...

Coverage against flooding for personal and business property under the National Flood Act of 1968, which encourages participation by private insurers in the program through an industry ...

In life insurance, single payment instead of a series of installments. ...

Accrediting body for the ACAS (Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society) designation and the FCAS (Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society) designation. To earn these designations, ...

Popular Insurance Questions