Alabama Errors and Omissions Insurance and Notary Bonds
Alabama Notary Bonds
A Notary Bond is a type of surety bond required by many states as a way of guaranteeing the notary will perform his or her duties ethically and in adherence to the law
It is required by law in most states. Currently under Alabama State Law Notaries are required to have a $25,000 Bond. HOWEVER, new legislation in Alabama, Act #2023-548, just passed and will become effective on 09/01/2023. When this new law takes effect, Notaries in the State of Alabama will be required to have a $50,000 Notary Bond.
A Notary Bond is required before submitting an application to become a Notary at the County Probate Judges Office.
New Bond Requirements, effective 09/01/2023, per Act #2023-548:a
Notaries public shall give bond with sureties, obtained from an Alabama licensed producer of such bonds, to be approved by the judge of probate of the county of their residence,
in the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000),
Payable to the State of Alabama, and conditioned to faithfully discharge the duties of the office so long as they may continue therein or discharge any of the duties thereof.
The bond shall be executed, approved, filed and recorded in the office of the judge of probate of the county of their residence, before they enter on the duties of the office.
All existing notaries public functioning on January 1, 2023, shall continue to function pursuant to their existing bond for the remainder of their existing commission per 36-20-72.
Please click the button below to apply for a Notary Bond.
$50.00: Alabama $25,000 / 4 Year Notary Bond
$70.00: Alabama $50,000 / 4 Year Notary Bond
Alabama Standard Errors & Omissions Insurance
What happens when an innocent mistake makes a notary public, signing agent, or tax preparer an easy target for a lawsuit? We provide Errors & Omissions Insurance coverage for Notary Publics, Signing Agents, and Tax Preparers.
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.
Melissa Watts, Co-Founder/CEO of Notary Know How LLC is a State of Alabama Licensed Insurance Producer. We offer products from CNA Surety.
With the increase in notarial lawsuits, even the smallest mistake can be very costly. For example:
A notary was accused of improperly notarizing a power of attorney with a forged signature, which was then used to illegally withdraw funds from brokerage and savings accounts. The notary was sued and the insurer defended, paying the policy limit.
A lawsuit was brought against a notary covered by a group policy issued to her employer, a title company. The plaintiffs alleged that the notary negligently acknowledged forged signatures on an indemnity agreement. The claim was settled for the limit of the policy.
Help protect your business and your reputation with Notary Public Errors and Omissions Insurance.
The notaries in the previous examples were covered by Notary Public Errors and Omissions Insurance. Their losses were covered and CNA Surety was there to help pay for the damages and legal costs. Can you afford a lawsuit because you made an innocent mistake?
Notary Public Errors and Omissions Insurance safeguards you against costly and time-consuming lawsuits. Even if the basis of the suit is without merit, you could still face a costly legal bill for defending yourself. If you are uninsured, you’ll pay those defense costs out of your own pocket, win or lose. True protection with CNA Surety.
CNA Surety offers you cost-effective Notary Public Errors and Omissions Insurance, featuring: No deductible Coverage of defense costs, subject to policy provisions
Protection against errors and omissions
Employers are covered under group policy at no additional charge
Additional notaries covered automatically under group policy during the annual policy period
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. Policy limits and premiums are listed below. Click on E&O Application’ to get your policy today
PLEASE NOTE: There is more than one type of Errors & Omissions Insurance. Notary Errors and Omissions Insurance covers general notarial work only. We recommend that you carry a minimum of $25,000. Signing Agents E&O Insurance covers both general notarial work as well as your responsibilities as a Notary Loan Signing Agent. The E&O Insurance policies quoted below are for General notarial work. Signing Agent E&O Insurance will be made available starting sometime next week. Be sure to subscribe to our e-mail list to know as soon as that is available.
Alabama Loan Signing Agent Errors and Omissions Insurance
While all signing agents are notaries, not all notaries serve as signing agents. A notary's responsibilities are limited to conducting notarial acts, whereas signing agents undergo training to facilitate the presentation of loan documents to clients and assist lenders in the closing process. It's crucial to note that Notary Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance does not cover all losses resulting from errors during signings. For more specialized coverage, signing agents require Signing Agent Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance.
Notary E&O Insurance safeguards notaries in case a mistake made during notarization leads to financial losses for the client. However, it exclusively pertains to notarial acts and doesn't extend protection to signing agents when they engage in tasks like document review with clients, calculating rescission dates, or returning paperwork to the loan provider.
Signing Agent E&O Insurance is designed to bridge the gaps left by Notary E&O Insurance. Independent signing agents assume personal liability for losses stemming from errors during signings, and this insurance type covers:
Innocent errors or omissions related to notarial acts by signing agents.
Incorrect dating of the right of rescission.
Missed initial or non-notarized signatures.
Unauthorized alterations to documents.
Neglect by signing agents in completing documents promptly.
Delayed return of time-sensitive documents.
To be eligible for Signing Agent E&O Insurance offered through CNA Surety, you must have completed signing agent training, obtained certification, passed a criminal background check, maintained membership in a professional association, and maintained a journal.
It's essential to carry E&O insurance for both professions because even if you are innocent, you might still face substantial legal expenses when defending yourself against lawsuits.
THE RATES FOR NSA E&O INSURANCE ARE LISTED BELOW.
