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The Distinction Between an Insurance Agent and an Insurance Broker

Insurance agents act on behalf of one or more insurance companies. That relationship between the insurance agent and the insurance company provides authority for the agent to act for and bind the insurance company. Insurance brokers, on the other hand, represent insurance purchasers rather than insurance companies even though insurance brokers may receive their commissions from insurance companies. Insurance brokers do not have authority under principal-agent or employer-employee theories to bind the insurance companies that provide the policies insuring companies or individuals.

The War Exclusion to the CGL Policy

Standard comprehensive general liability policies insure businesses against liability for personal injury or property damage of third parties. The policies contain a number of exclusions from coverage. Insurance needs and risk planning regarding the eventualities described in the exclusions should take into account that standard CGL policies, though comprehensive, do not cover excluded events.

Incontestability Clause

What is an incontestability clause?

Declaratory Relief

A declaratory judgment action may be brought by a plaintiff who is unsure of his legal right to recover from a defendant. This type of action is available to both an insured and an insurer to determine each party's rights, duties, obligations, and liabilities under an insurance policy.

Insurable Interest

A beneficiary may procure insurance upon the life of an insured only if he has an insurable interest in that insured's life. The determination of whether the beneficiary has an insurable interest depends upon the nature of the relationship between the beneficiary and the insured. If the beneficiary has a valid, insurable interest, he may recover the insurance proceeds upon the insured's death. If he does not, however, the insurer may plead a lack of insurable interest and avoid liability on the policy.