---
title: "Avoid fraud by treating E&O insurance for what it is: a serious investment"
description: State insurance commissions, consumer groups and professional organizations offer advice on how to avoid being taken to the cleaners on your E&O insurance.
---

# Avoid fraud by treating E&O insurance for what it is: a serious investment

 Written by ** [ Nathan Thomas ](https://blogs.alamode.com/qa-blog/author/nathan-thomas) ** on **March 30, 2004**

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State insurance commissions, consumer groups and professional organizations offer advice on how to avoid being taken to the cleaners on your E&O insurance. Some of the most often cited tips:

- Check and see if the agent you're dealing with, and the insurance company, are **licensed to do business in your state**. Your state's department of insurance or related department will have contact information on the state's website and also in the blue pages.
- **Never pay the agent**, only the insurance company itself. When you write a check for a down payment or a premium, always make it out to your insurer. Beware agents who want you to make the check out to them personally. And **never** pay in cash!
- Relatedly, **get a receipt for everything**. Always get a written receipt following the payment of your premium that includes the name of the insurance company and the agent and/or agency.
- **Never sign a form that includes blank spaces**, even if the agent assures you they are just a formality.
- **Ask for a copy of all documents**. Especially, but not exclusively, anything you sign! Save every piece of paper explaining your coverage and your policy. Keep them on file with your policy. If the agent uses a laptop computer, insist on a hard copy version of what you were shown.
- If you do not receive a policy **within two weeks **of applying for insurance, contact the insurance company, and if necessary, your state's department of insurance.
- If a new policy replaces an old policy, **make sure the old coverage is not terminated **until the new policy has been issued.

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