I’m finding the insurance providers I find do not cover 1 of the 3. (NNA, Biberk). Also if this is the case, how much tail end insurance (years) do you recommend getting for loan signing work?
Bhavi, these are questions you want to direct to your insurance provider. Remember your policy is for a specific TIME FRAME, if the event happened during the timeframe you were insured, then an error or omission would be covered. So I think you may be worrying needlessly. But again, SPEAK WITH YOUR LOCAL INSURANCE PROVIDER DIRECTLY and ask them to explain to you how coverage works and for how long, etc. If you already have a notary bond with a company, it makes sense to use the same insurance company, but that is your call.
this is from the CNA Surety website, https://www.cnasurety.com/applications-downloads/bond-applications
Notary Public E&O
Can a notary afford a lawsuit because he/she made an innocent mistake and was an easy target for someone trying to recover losses? Notary public bonds protect the public, but they don’t protect the notaries.
Notary Public Errors and Omissions Insurance provides valuable protection against costly and time-consuming lawsuits.
To apply for Notary Public Errors & Omissions Insurance, submit a completed Notary Public E&O Application, or log onto our secure bONdLINE® system for immediate processing.
*Please note: All bond applications must be submitted through an independent insurance agent appointed with one of the CNA Surety Companies. To locate an agent near you, check your local yellow pages or search the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America web site at www.independentagent.com.
Signing Agent E&O
CNA Surety’s Signing Agent Errors & Omissions Insurance is specifically designed for Notaries who assist with loan signings. The policy fills the gaps left with traditional Notary Errors & Omissions Insurance, which only provides coverage for the actual notarizations in a loan package.
Signing Agent E&O covers unintentional errors or omissions while the notary is acting as a “signing agent”. In addition to the notarizations, it covers such things as getting all other signatures and initials, correctly dating the documents, completing the signing in the time period specified, and promptly returning the signed documents. Defense costs are also covered within the coverage amount.
To apply for Signing Agent Errors & Omissions Insurance, submit a completed Signing Agent E&O Application.
*Please note: All bond applications must be submitted through an independent insurance agent appointed with one of the CNA Surety Companies. To locate an agent near you, check your local yellow pages or search the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America web site at http://www.independentagent.com/.
Thanks Carmen, yes after talking to the Biberk insurance agent, it’s in the policy that if a claim is filed after the policy ends even though the incident may have occurred at the time of the policy was active, it will not be covered by them unfortunately. I know NNA doesn’t cover errors for loan signing work, only general notary work, so wanted to explore other insurances I can look into. Is CNA Surety the one you use for E&O? Do you like them?
Yes, I use CNA Surety - a policy I purchased from Rebecca Jacobs at Attorney & Notary Supply of Washington. I pay $366 annually for Signing Agent E&O and my notary E&O is for the 4-year term. I forget offhand what that cost but it is nominal. Here is the contact info:
14401 Issaquah-Hobart Rd
SE Ste 201, Issaquah WA 98027
ans@ans-inc.net
(425) 271-6353
Rebecca is a wealth of knowledge and is very happy to answer questions. Her staff is also helpful. But if you are not also in Washington state, I would choose an agent where you live because that would likely be more convenient for you.
Hope this helps.
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@bhavifun12 Concur 
percent!
Aah okay, maybe I’m mistaken. Is a local insurance provider just the person selling solely for example Biberk insurance? or would they be offering other policies from different insurance companies like CNA, etc. or something that actually covers what I’m looking for? The Biberk insurance provider I spoke to unfortunately let me know they don’t provide the type of coverage I’d like, so I was seeking alternatives.
@bhavifun12 This is an excellent query to pose to the insurance provider/broker/etc.
Bhavi which state are you in
Think of it this way, if you want to buy a brand new Ford, you do not contact Ford headquarters, you would go to an authorized Ford dealership. And there are many, many Ford dealerships just as there are many, many insurance agents throughout the entire USA. I cannot be any more clear than that.
DO A GOOGLE SEARCH: “INSURANCE AGENTS NEAR ME” and then check out the search results.
You can purchase loan signing agent insurance off of Biberk’s website - $400 a year for $100K coverage.
What type of coverage for the $366?
SIGNING AGENT E&O:
Western Surety Company underwrites Signing Agent Errors and Omissions (E&O) policies through CNA Surety. These policies are for notaries who work as signing agents for real estate loan signings.
What does the policy cover?
- Mistakes or oversights in notarization
- Dating the Right of Rescission document
- Ensuring forms are properly signed and initialed
- Failing to complete a signing on time
- Late return of date-sensitive documents
What does the policy not cover?
- Intentional fraud and misconduct
- Collusion with an imposter to defraud someone
- Liability claims or breaches of privacy outside the duties of a Notary
What are the policy limits?
- Typically covers the amount of the claim against you
- In most states, attorney fees and court costs up to the policy limit
- Defense costs subject to policy limits and deductible
Who may need this policy?
- Notaries who work as Signing Agents for real estate loan signings
- Notaries who do other Notary work, besides loan signings, may need both a traditional Notary E&O policy and a Signing Agent E&O policy
“Signing Agent E&O policy projects against mistakes made during loan document signings, including issues like incorrect dates, missing signatures, or improper witnessing, which might not be fully covered under a standard notary E&O policy; essentially, it fills the gaps in coverage for signing agents’ unique responsibilities.”