Legal responsibilities are fundamental. An insurance agent walks a difficult line with legal responsibilities to both an insurance company and a client. When the agent does not live up to these responsibilities, there is the threat of being sued. Periodically, every agent should review the legal responsibilities of an agent in modern society. An insurance agent's social, ethical and professional responsibilities may be optional; but legal responsibilities are not. Legal responsibilities are the minimum amount that is required of every agent. If he does not live up to his legal responsibilities, he will end up out of business and maybe even behind bars. Because legal responsibilities are determined by common law, statute, and case law, they are evolving. An agent must remain current, making adjustments for trends and refinements. The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a knowledge and understanding of these legal responsibilities and insurance principles. Topics include: Principles of Insurance, Characteristics of Legal Responsibilities, Illegal Acts of an Insurance Agent, Ethics in the Insurance Agency, and Legal Issues in Insurance Fraud.
