If my car was stolen off the expressway3 weeks ago and my insurance company wants me to now sign a power of attorney, what exactly does that mean?
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If my car was stolen off the expressway3 weeks ago and my insurance company wants me to now sign a power of attorney, what exactly does that mean?
Asked on October 24, 2011 under Insurance Law, Tennessee
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
A power of attorney gives someone else--another person, or a company--the legal authority to transact business in your name, request certain documentation or information for or about you which they otherwise would not be entitled to, or to make certain decisions for you. A power of attorney can be very limited--it only gives the power to, say, request health care documentation--or it can be unlimited (i.e. gives the recipient as much power as you yourself have over your affairs). It can be for a limited duration or open ended. There is no way to answer why the insurance company wants a POA or power of attorney without more information. You should ask you insurer what the purpose of you giving them a POA is; make sure you're comfortable with the answer before signing over this power.
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