Every time severe weather hits, I see the same cycle play out in notary circles.

A signing service or title company reaches out with an order. Maybe they ask, “Can you still make it?” Maybe they ask if the signer can come to you instead. And the reaction is often immediate: How dare they? Don’t they check the weather? How entitled can people be?

Let me start here: safety comes first. Always.
No signing, no fee, and no client relationship is worth risking your life on icy roads.

But I also think we can hold that boundary without turning it into hostility — and without assuming the worst about everyone on the other side of the order.

Here are a few things worth remembering when the weather gets rough.

1) The Person Hiring You Might Not Be Where You Are

This is the biggest disconnect.

The person scheduling you could be in another state (or across the country). They may not know your local conditions at all. Even when they do check the weather, “blizzard in the Northeast” is not the same as “impassable roads in your town.”

And even within the same state, conditions can be wildly different. New York is a perfect example: downstate can be getting hammered while upstate has clear roads — or the reverse. If you’ve lived it, you know.

So if you’re thinking, How could they possibly ask me to drive in this?
The answer may simply be: they don’t realize what “this” looks like where you are.

That doesn’t mean you should go. It just means you can respond like a professional instead of assuming malice.

2) “No” Is a Complete Sentence — and It Can Still Be Kind

You’re allowed to decline. Period.

You don’t need to justify, argue, or defend your decision. But you can communicate it clearly and respectfully. That tone matters — especially if you want to keep relationships strong with companies you work with regularly.

Here are a few scripts that set a firm boundary without drama:

Option A (simple and direct):

“I’m unable to travel today due to hazardous road conditions in my area.”

Option B (helpful + solutions-oriented):

“The roads are unsafe where I am, so I can’t travel today. If you’d like, we can reschedule for the next available safe window.”

Option C (if they ask the borrower to come to you):

“I’m not comfortable having the signer travel in these conditions either. I’m happy to reschedule once travel is safe.”

Notice what’s not in any of those: sarcasm, insults, or a lecture.
Boundaries don’t require cruelty.

3) A Higher Fee Doesn’t Make It Less Dangerous

I understand the instinct to ask for “hazard pay” — truly. Bad weather is stressful, it slows you down, and it adds real risk and effort.

But here’s the truth we need to say out loud:

If it’s dangerous to go out for $150, it’s still just as dangerous to go out for $300.

A higher fee may compensate you for inconvenience, time, or added coordination — but it does not reduce black ice, low visibility, whiteouts, or unsafe drivers.

So use caution with this mindset: If they pay me enough, I’ll do it.

If it’s not safe, it’s not safe. Full stop.

4) Borrowers May Have Urgency You Don’t Know About

Notaries often see the assignment as “just a signing.” And in a sense, that’s true — it’s a set of documents, an appointment, and an ID check.

But for the borrower, that signing can be connected to something bigger and time-sensitive:

• a rate lock expiring
• a closing deadline
• funds needed urgently
• a foreclosure or bankruptcy timeline
• a move that can’t be delayed
• travel plans
• employment or family circumstances

Does that mean you should risk your safety? Absolutely not.

But it does explain why someone might ask, “Can we still close?” or “Can I come to you?” They’re not necessarily being entitled — they may be anxious because something matters on the other end of that appointment.

Empathy doesn’t mean compliance.
It just means we respond like we understand there may be more happening than what we can see.

5) The Goal: Safety + Professionalism

This isn’t about letting companies push you around.

It’s about remembering you can be both:

• Safety-first
• Clear
• Calm
• Professional
• Human

You can decline a job and still protect your reputation. You can hold boundaries and still be respectful. And you can take the high road without compromising your standards.

Bad weather reveals a lot — not just about road conditions, but about how we handle pressure.

So the next time a request comes in during a storm, try this approach:

1. Check the conditions where you are.
2. Decide based on safety — not money or guilt.
3. Respond firmly, respectfully, and with options when possible.

We can do this work responsibly without losing our professionalism or our compassion.