Insurance Broker Certification Practice Exam

Which authority is granted by the words or actions of a principal that leads others to assume an agent has authority?

1. Express authority

2. Implied authority

3. Apparent authority

4. Limited authority

The correct answer is: Apparent authority

The correct answer is apparent authority because it refers to a situation in which a third party reasonably believes that an agent has been granted authority by a principal based on the principal's words or actions. Apparent authority arises when the principal's conduct gives an impression to others that the agent has the authority to act on their behalf, even if the agent does not have actual authority as defined by the principal. For example, if a company allows an employee to conduct business and interact with clients without clarifying the limits of that employee's authority, clients might reasonably believe that the employee has the authority to make decisions or enter into contracts. This understanding is shaped by the principal's prior actions or representations and does not require a formal statement of authority. In contrast, express authority is a clear, direct grant of power to an agent to act on behalf of a principal, typically documented in writing or explicitly stated verbally. Implied authority involves power that is not officially granted but is necessary for carrying out express authority, while limited authority pertains to restrictions placed on an agent’s ability to act, which does not align with the concept of leading others to reasonably assume authority.