Express Authority

In insurance, express authority refers to the authority given to an agent or broker in writing to perform specific acts or duties on behalf of the insurer. This type of authority is explicit and clearly stated, and it outlines the scope and limits of the agent's or broker's responsibilities.

Here are some key features of express authority:

• Written documentation: Express authority is given in writing, such as through a contract or agreement between the insurer and the agent or broker.

• Specific duties: The authority given is specific to certain duties or acts that the agent or broker is authorized to perform on behalf of the insurer.

• Limits and scope: The express authority outlines the limits and scope of the agent's or broker's responsibilities, making it clear what actions they are authorized to take and under what circumstances.

• Binding on insurer: Any actions taken by the agent or broker within the scope of their express authority are binding on the insurer.

Example: An insurer may grant an agent express authority to negotiate and sell insurance policies to customers within a certain geographic region. The agent would be authorized to conduct these activities, but their authority would not extend to making policy changes or settling claims on behalf of the insurer.

Next Up

Mployer, the industry's leading employee benefits and insurance intelligence platform, today announced its Expanded AI Release powered by Anthropic. This release is a major expansion of the AI and agentic abilities already built across its products, and it includes the broad release of its MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server and Claude Connectors
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, known as ERISA, was enacted to protect employees from the mismanagement of benefits promised to them. It does that by imposing fiduciary duties on anyone who exercises discretionary authority over a benefit plan or its assets, from benefits committee members and HR leaders to the brokers and consultants who advise them.
The Supreme Court closed its October 2025 Term on June 30, 2026, and for once the biggest story for employee benefits is what the justices didn’t take up.