Bulletin: SLS2015011

Dear Associates:

This Bulletin reminds you that underwriting approval from the Company is required under a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to situations where policy amounts exceed an Issuing Office’s underwriting authority limits, where there are mechanic’s lien issues, or other extrahazardous risks, etc. The STG Request for Approval to Issue Overlimits (Large) Policy or Extra Hazardous Coverage Form (the "Overlimits Form") is the primary means for requesting underwriting approval. If endorsements are requested, an applicable Endorsement Supplement, or a concise list of requested endorsements, must accompany the Overlimits Form.

Please note that the STG High Liability (Over $40 Million) Mechanic's Lien Coverage Approval Request is required in addition to the Overlimits Form for high liability transactions involving mechanic's lien coverage. The STG High Liability (Over $40 Million) Mechanic's Lien Coverage Approval Request is not a substitute for the Overlimits Form.

The above-referenced forms are available in the STG Forms Section on Virtual Underwriter. Guidelines are also available. Please access these forms and guidelines on www.vuwriter.com.

The above-referenced forms are revised from time to time. Please use the most recent version of each of these forms when submitting an Overlimits Request. The date of the most recent revision of these forms appears below, and at the bottom of the form posted in Virtual Underwriter. Please ensure that your system is updated promptly with the most current versions of these forms each time they are revised, or please return to Virtual Underwriter each time to download the most current version of these forms. A request submitted using a prior version of the Overlimits Request Form may be returned to you and may delay review of the request.

Agents using AIM+ will have the updated version available in their system automatically. Agents using AFW must manually update the form on their system or contact Customer Care to receive the updated version from the Stewart National Forms Library to upload to their AFW account. AIM+ users are reminded to please include all components of the Overlimits Form, including questions 1-14, when assembling the form using AIM+.

A fillable PDF version of the Overlimits Form is available on VU. A blank version is also available in Word.  After downloading the PDF or Word version, users can input responses and save the completed document.

This Bulletin also reminds you of the procedure for submitting Overlimits Requests. Please complete the current Overlimits Request form, sign it (physically or electronically), and email it to PolicyApprovalRequest@stewart.com, with a copy to your underwriting contact, if applicable. Please be thorough when completing the Overlimits Request, as missing information may delay the process, and may cause the Overlimits Request to be returned to you for additional information. Please attach a copy of the commitment or preliminary report and other applicable documentation, if any, and pro forma(s), if available. Please keep a copy of all documents for your records. 

You will receive an email from StewartAccessUnderwriterAdmin-NOREPLY@stewart.com after your Overlimits Request has been reviewed. Please save this email address in your contacts list to avoid its inadvertent designation as spam/junk email. The email will describe additional conditions and requirements, if any, required for issuance of a policy.

Also, as a reminder, Overlimits approval is different from Reinsurance approval. Reinsurance approval must be obtained separately. If the transaction involves reinsurance, please contact the Reinsurance Department as early as possible.

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

For on-line viewing of this and other bulletins, please log onto www.vuwriter.com.