It is referred to as an "agency agreement."
An agent owes fiduciary duties of loyalty, good faith, and fair dealing. An agent has to always prioritize the best interests of the principal, and must never act beyond his/her authority.
A principal authorizes another person, known as an agent, to act on their behalf in certain transactions or duties. The agent is given the authority to make decisions and take actions as specified by the principal within the scope of their relationship.
Apparent authority is a legal concept pursuant to which an agent can be found to have bound a principal (master) despite not having the actual authority to do so. If the principal gives to the agent certain indicia of authority (for example, business cards, a title, etc) that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the agent has the authority to bind the principal, and the principal did nothing to countermand it, the principal may be bound by the acts of the agent. This theory, put into the context of an insurer/insurance agent, is what is meant by the term.
If an agent cannot provide proof of their authority then you should NOT accept their signature on any legal document. They have no authority until they can PROVE that they do. When an attorney-in-fact signs a document on behalf of the principal they should not only provide the POA document but also an Affidavit stating they are the AIF, the principal has not died and the POA has not been revoked.
Sub-agent and substituted agent: The general rule is that an agent cannot delegate his authority and appoint another agent. (Delegatus non potest delegare). An agent being delegate cannot transfer his authority or duties to another. As per Section 190, an agent cannot lawfully employ another to perform acts which he has expressly or impliedly undertaken to perform personally unless by the ordinary custom of trade a sub-agent may or from the nature of the agency, the agent must be appointed. According to Section 191, a "sub-agent" is a person employed by and acting under the control of the original agent in the business of agency. The relation of the sub-agent and the original agent is as between themselves that of the agent and the principal. Where a sub-agent is properly appointed, the principal is so far as regards third parties represented by the sub-agent and is bound by and responsible for acts as if he were an agent originally appointed by the principal. The agent is responsible to the principal for the acts of the sub-agent. The sub-agent is responsible for his acts to the agent, but not to the principal except in case of fraud or wilful wrong. (Section192) There is no privity of contract between the sub-agent and the principal and, hence, sub-agent is not directly responsible to the principal except in cases of fraud or wilful wrong. If the sub-agent is properly appointed, the principal is liable to third parties for the acts of the sub-agent. If the sub-agent is appointed without proper authority, the principal is not represented by or responsible for the acts of the sub-agent and sub-agent is not responsible to the principal. As between the agent and the sub-agent, the relationship is that of the principal and agent and the agent is responsible for the acts of such sub-agent and both to the principal and to third parties (Section 193). Substituted agent: Where an agent holding an express or implied authority to name another person to act for the principal in the business of the agency has named another person accordingly, such person is not a sub-agent, but an agent of the principal for such part of the business of agency as is entrusted to him. (Section194). Where the agent has authority to appoint an agent and the person so appointed is in the nature of a substitute for the original agent, the contract arises between the principal and the substitute and the substituted agent becomes responsible to the principal for the due discharge of the duties as if he is appointed by the principal himself. According to Section 195, in selecting substituted agent for his principal an agent is bound to exercise the same amount of discretion as a man of ordinary prudence would exercise in his own case; and if he does so, he is not responsible to the principal for acts or negligence of the substituted agent so selected. Sub-agent and substituted agent: The general rule is that an agent cannot delegate his authority and appoint another agent. (Delegatus non potest delegare). An agent being delegate cannot transfer his authority or duties to another. As per Section 190, an agent cannot lawfully employ another to perform acts which he has expressly or impliedly undertaken to perform personally unless by the ordinary custom of trade a sub-agent may or from the nature of the agency, the agent must be appointed. According to Section 191, a "sub-agent" is a person employed by and acting under the control of the original agent in the business of agency. The relation of the sub-agent and the original agent is as between themselves that of the agent and the principal. Where a sub-agent is properly appointed, the principal is so far as regards third parties represented by the sub-agent and is bound by and responsible for acts as if he were an agent originally appointed by the principal. The agent is responsible to the principal for the acts of the sub-agent. The sub-agent is responsible for his acts to the agent, but not to the principal except in case of fraud or wilful wrong. (Section192) There is no privity of contract between the sub-agent and the principal and, hence, sub-agent is not directly responsible to the principal except in cases of fraud or wilful wrong. If the sub-agent is properly appointed, the principal is liable to third parties for the acts of the sub-agent. If the sub-agent is appointed without proper authority, the principal is not represented by or responsible for the acts of the sub-agent and sub-agent is not responsible to the principal. As between the agent and the sub-agent, the relationship is that of the principal and agent and the agent is responsible for the acts of such sub-agent and both to the principal and to third parties (Section 193). Substituted agent: Where an agent holding an express or implied authority to name another person to act for the principal in the business of the agency has named another person accordingly, such person is not a sub-agent, but an agent of the principal for such part of the business of agency as is entrusted to him. (Section194). Where the agent has authority to appoint an agent and the person so appointed is in the nature of a substitute for the original agent, the contract arises between the principal and the substitute and the substituted agent becomes responsible to the principal for the due discharge of the duties as if he is appointed by the principal himself. According to Section 195, in selecting substituted agent for his principal an agent is bound to exercise the same amount of discretion as a man of ordinary prudence would exercise in his own case; and if he does so, he is not responsible to the principal for acts or negligence of the substituted agent so selected.
The authority to act on behalf of the principal as specifically granted in a written or verbal agreement. This authority may be limited to certain tasks or actions as outlined by the principal.
An agent who acts contrary to the duties of an agent can be liable to the Principal or the Principal's successors in interest for the amount required to restore the value of the Principal's property to what it would have been had the violation not occurred.
The area of law that determines producer status and binds the agent or broker for their acts or errors is typically governed by agency law. This body of law establishes the legal relationship between the producer (agent or broker) and the principal (insurance company or client), outlining rights, duties, and responsibilities. It also covers issues such as implied authority, apparent authority, and duties of loyalty and care.
the agent is under the authority of the principal, or insurance carrier, and has the ability to make decisions as a representative of the carrier. Therefore, the principal can be held legally liable for the agent's business
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows one person (the agent) to make decisions and take actions on behalf of another person (the principal). The purpose of a power of attorney is to give the agent the authority to manage the principal's affairs, such as handling financial matters or making medical decisions, when the principal is unable to do so themselves. This empowers the agent to act in the best interests of the principal and carry out their wishes.
In business, a principal is a person with primary authority and responsibility to make decisions. The principal is often an owner, operator, partner or high-ranking manager. In a principal-agent relationship, the principal also directs the actions of an agent who carries out activities for the organization.
In a typical principal-agent relationship, the principal is responsible for giving instructions and providing resources to the agent to carry out tasks on their behalf. The agent is responsible for acting in the best interest of the principal, following their instructions, and keeping them informed of progress and any issues that arise. Both parties have a duty to act in good faith and with loyalty towards each other.