THIS BULLETIN IS FURNISHED TO INFORM YOU OF CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS. AS A REMINDER, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONTENT ON VIRTUAL UNDERWRITER AS IT EXISTS FROM TIME TO TIME AS IT APPLIES TO YOU, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS. OUR UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS DO NOT AUTHORIZE OUR ISSUING AGENTS TO ENGAGE IN SETTLEMENTS OR CLOSINGS ON BEHALF OF STEWART TITLE GUARANTY COMPANY. THIS BULLETIN IS NOT INTENDED TO DIRECT YOUR ESCROW OR SETTLEMENT PRACTICES OR TO CHANGE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE UNDERWRITING AGREEMENTS. CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, OR NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION SHOULD NEVER BE SHARED OR DISSEMINATED EXCEPT AS ALLOWED BY LAW. IF APPLICABLE STATE LAW OR REGULATION IMPOSES ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTINUE TO COMPLY WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
Bulletin: BH000002
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Bulletin: BH000002
Dear Associates:
Before obtaining reinsurance, your office must first obtain the standard overlimits approval from Stewart Title Guaranty Company to issue a large commitment and/or title guaranty or policy as required by your agency, retainer, or underwriting agreement with Stewart Title Guaranty Company.
Stewart Reinaurance Retention
If our risk exceeds $10 million, you must obtain reinsurance. Please contact Stewart Title Guaranty Company's Reinsurance Department to obtain reinsurance over $10 million.
Forms subject to reinsurance include the following:
- Any title guaranty or policy over $10 million
- Endorsements if the title guaranty or policy exceeds $10 million
- Multiple title guaranty or policies on different estates that total over $10 million
- Multiple loan title guaranty or policies that total over $10 million
If you issue an endorsement to a prior title guaranty or policy that was reinsured or that was over $10 million, you must get reinsurance.
Examples include disbursement endorsements, modification endorsements, and downdate endorsements.
When to Get Reinsurance
You must call the reinsurance or national legal department before you issue. If you issue a commitment before we get reinsurance, except to reinsurance approval (see Exhibit 1).
How to Get Reinsurance
Call Leslee Sisk at 1 (800) 729-1902, ext. 8227. You must submit a completed overlimit approval form and a completed reinsurance questionnaire. These forms are available from Stewart Title Guaranty Company Forms and Information Department (1 (800) 729-1901).
Overview
Please see our underwriting criteria if you want more information on our reinsurance guidelines.
Note: A copy of every title guaranty or policy issued by Stewart which exceeds $10 million must be sent to the reinsurance department along with a copy of the executed overlimit authority form and the reinsurance questionnaire.
National Requirements
Overlimit of Issuing Agent
Title Guaranty or Policy: If the title guaranty or policies to be issued are in excess of the limits of the issuing agent's underwriting authority as set forth in the underwriting agreement or involve unusual risks, approval to issue such title guaranty or policies must be obtained from Stewart Title Guaranty Company. This commitment and any title guaranty or policies to be issued are subject to any additional limitations, requirements or exceptions made by Stewart Title Guaranty Company.
Title Guaranty or Policy Requires Reinsurance: If the title guaranty or policies to be issued are in excess of $10 million, issuance of this commitment and the title guaranty or policies is subject to the approval of Stewart Title Guaranty Company and its reinsurers prior to issuance. This commitment and any title guaranty or policies to be issued also are subject to any additional limitations, requirements, or exceptions made by Stewart Title Guaranty Company and its reinsurers.
Remember: Before obtaining reinsurance, your office must first obtain the standard overlimits approval from Stewart Title Guaranty Company to issue a large commitment and/or title guaranty or title guaranty or policy as required by your agency, retainer, or underwriting agreement with Stewart Title Guaranty Company.
References
- Bulletins Replaced:
- Related Bulletins:
- None
- Underwriting Manual:
- Exceptions Manual:
- None
- Forms:
- None