What should an agent provide if they collect a premium check while out of the office?

When an agent collects a premium check while out of the office, it is essential that they provide some form of acknowledgment to the policyholder that the payment has been received. A temporary handwritten receipt is an acceptable form to provide because it serves as immediate proof of payment until the formal receipt can be issued in the office. This approach ensures that the client has documentation of their payment at the time of the transaction, which can help avoid confusion or disputes later on.

It is important for the agent to ensure that the temporary receipt includes necessary details such as the amount received, the date of payment, and any relevant policy information to identify which policy the payment corresponds to. This is a standard practice in the insurance industry to maintain professionalism and to support clear communication between the agent and the client.

Providing an official receipt may not be feasible at that moment since the agent is out of the office, while just giving a verbal confirmation does not provide any tangible proof of payment. A full policy booklet is unrelated to the transaction at hand and would not serve the purpose of acknowledging the receipt of the premium. Thus, a temporary handwritten receipt is the most appropriate and practical solution in this scenario.