Final answer:
An agent is acting ethically in all of the following situations except for representing the insurer, not the insured. An agent is behaving unethically when they prioritize the insurer over the insured, which runs contrary to the ethical duty to represent the client's best interests and the utilitarian principle of aiming for the greatest good.
Step-by-step explanation:
An agent is acting ethically in all of the following situations except for representing the insurer, not the insured. In the insurance industry, agents have a duty to act in the best interests of their clients, the insured. This includes keeping the customers' best interests in mind, always representing the insured, and working within the conditions of his/her contract.
An agent is behaving unethically when they prioritize the insurer over the insured, which runs contrary to the ethical duty to represent the client's best interests and the utilitarian principle of aiming for the greatest good.
An agent is not acting ethically when they are representing the insurer, not the insured. This situation does not align with the generally accepted ethical standards in the field of insurance or agency law. Ethical behavior requires agents to keep the best interests of the customer as a priority, work within the conditions of their contract, and represent the insured’s interests. The role of an insurance agent often involves acting as an intermediary between the insurer and the insured; however, their duty is to the client (the insured), while simply representing the insurer's products. Utilitarianism would argue that an agent's actions should be judged solely based on the consequences of those actions, regardless of their intent or character. Considering the interests of clients often aligns with utilitarian ideals, as it seeks to bring about the greatest good for the greatest number of people involved.