In order to offer certain special coverage, insure over certain special matters, or waive certain title exceptions, it is customary for title insurance companies to rely on specific indemnities executed by sellers, mortgagors, or third parties on behalf of them.

Although indemnity agreements may adopt a myriad of different forms, they are basically of three kinds:

Agreements without deposit - also known as personal indemnities or personal undertakings.

These indemnities are based on the following factors:

• The indemnitor's solvency.
• The indemnitor's being locatable.
• The indemnitor's willingness not to deny liability.
• Privity of contract between the indemnitor and the title insurance company.

In some instances, indemnities without a cash deposit are tantamount to no indemnities at all.

Agreements with cash deposit

Agreements with a cash deposit are the most efficient form of indemnities and may fully protect the title insurance companies against any possible loss.

These indemnities require:

• A perfectly drafted escrow agreement.
• The undisputed authority of the Company to utilize the escrow funds for the purpose of eliminating the title problem.
• The amount of cash being deposited must fluctuate, depending on the circumstances, between l50% and 200% of the amount needed to eliminate the title problem.
• Privity of contract between the indemnitor and the title insurance company.

Letters of credit

See also Letter of Credit Forms. (9.04.3 and 9.04.4 below)

Indemnity Forms

Use only forms authorized by company designated underwriting personnel.

The following matters must be fully considered in connection with the acceptance of an indemnity agreement:

• Is the subject matter of the indemnity one for which an indemnity can be taken?
  
  
• Does the acceptance of the indemnity need to be approved by the Company?
  
  
• Is it necessary to show the matter as an exception and then insure over it?
  
  
• Does the indemnitor's financial position and reputability justify the acceptance of a mere personal indemnity or undertaking?
  
  
• Does the risk to be undertaken make it necessary to demand an indemnity with deposit?
  
  
• Is the amount of cash to be deposited no less than 150% of the amount of the lien, judgment, or potential claim?
  
  
• Is the indemnity agreement supported by proper corporate resolutions?
  
  
• Is the indemnitor's liability stated and defined in the agreement?
  
  
• Are the rights of the Company clearly stated and defined in the agreement? Has privity been established?
  
  
• Does the agreement detail the name of the bank or savings institution where the funds should be deposited?
  
  
• Is the Company being absolved from liability in the event of loss of funds arising as a consequence of the financial failure of the institution where the funds were deposited?
  
  
• Does the Company possess the unrestricted right to apply the deposited funds for the payment or satisfaction of the judgment, lien, or potential claim that is insured by the policy?
  
  
• Does the party signing on behalf of the indemnitor possess authority to execute the indemnity? For example, Banks and Savings and Loan Associations must provide resolutions authorizing the specific indemnity.
  
  
• Because indemnities are for the benefit of the underwriter, no indemnity should be accepted without approval of the National Legal Department in Houston, or specifically authorized underwriting personnel. Indemnities are not accepted against title defects which cannot be resolved.
• Are the parties intended to be indemnitors clearly identified by the terms of theagreement and by the necessary signature lines?
• Has a Company approved indemnity form been provided for use and that use confirmed?

A letter of credit is an agreement in writing executed by a bank or other lender (the issuer) made at the request of a customer (account party), stating that the bank or lender will honor drafts or other demands for payment by third parties (the beneficiaries) in accordance with the conditions set forth in the agreement.

Because letters of credit are subject to disclosure by issuing banks and may be subject to onerous and burdensome conditions and provisions, a title insurance issuing agent must obtain the consent of the National Legal Department before accepting letters of credit as security for an indemnity. Only forms approved by an underwriter may be used.

The general standards for the acceptance of letters of credit are:

• That the issuing bank be a healthy, viable institution.
• That the letter be unconditional.
• That the letter be irrevocable.
• That the letter contain no qualifying language as to the right to draw on the credit.
• That the expiration date of the letter be later than the time of expected need.
• That the letter be subject to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits.
• That there be an underlying written escrow and indemnity agreements between the title insurance company and the borrower covering the right and authority of the title insurance company to expend funds secured from the letter of credit.