Announcement - Underwriter Mergers
Through a series of mergers at the national level, Fidelity National Financial has been streamlining the organization and reducing the number of title insurance underwriters we utilize as the largest title insurance group in the country. When the project is complete, we will have gone from 12 underwriters to just five operating nationally within the FNTG family of companies – Alamo Title, Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title, Continental Title and Fidelity National Title.
In Florida, we will continue to operate three underwriting brands – Chicago Title, Commonwealth Land Title and Fidelity National Title.
On May 31st, Ticor Title Insurance Company of Florida merged into Chicago Title Insurance Company.
On June 30th, Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation merged into Fidelity National Title Insurance Company and Ticor Title Insurance Company merged into Chicago Title Insurance Company.
For Our Agents:
If your customer requests some type of evidence of the merger, you may furnish to them a copy of the Order Approving Merger and/or the Articles of Merger for the brand in question.
We also have available a Merger Endorsement form that can be used as needed. We have three different forms, one for each of the mergers – Ticor of FL into Chicago, Ticor into Chicago, and Lawyers into Fidelity. These endorsements are not required to be used. They are simply for explanation purposes if required by an insured or proposed insured.
Downloadable Documents
Ticor of FL into Chicago
Ticor into Chicago
Lawyers into Fidelity
Please contact your agency account manager if you have any questions regarding the merger.
TitleWave Training
We are offering online tutorials located on the Agent Resources and Training page. We will also provide training documentation for your convenience, and a CD upon request. If you would like more information about training webinar availability, please contact your agency sales representative.
ALTA develops uniform HUD-1 instructions
Giving settlement agents a bit more help in handling new closing processes coming with the January 1, 2010 implementation of the RESPA final rule, the American Land Title Association created a uniform set of instructions for using the new settlement documents. The uniform supplemental HUD-1/1A instructions designed by ALTA will facilitate complicance with the regulation by both agents and lenders. -The Title Report Online
You can find the instructions on our RESPA/HUD-1 Latest Info page.
ALTA Forms Licensing Initiative FAQ's
Title Insurance Council Makes Recommendations
The Florida Title Insurance Study Advisory Council has finalized the recommendations it will make to Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature regarding title insurance. The Council was appointed last year by the governor to undertake a 1-year comprehensive examination of Florida's title insurance system. The final report will be posted shortly on the Council's website, www.flgov.com/2008titleinsuranceadvisorycouncil.
You can read the full article in the December Underwriting Newsletter.
Find out all the latest news from Washington on the changes affecting our industry.
August 2nd, 2010
Office Depot Discounts! EC Purchasing members can now link personal credit cards for use in retail stores nationwide. You will need to use the registered credit card at the store in order to receive the discounts. You can register your card on the EC Purchasing site.
UPS Discounts! As an EC Purchasing member, you are eligible for up to 60% off list UPS rates. Please be aware that you must have an existing UPS account to apply for a discount. Sign up now on the EC Purchasing site.
Verizon Wireless Discounts! Take advantage of money-saving discounts from Verizon Wireless:
Blackberry Bold - $49.99 (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
Blackberry Curve 2 - FREE! (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
Blackberry Storm 2 - $49.99 (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
HTC Imagio - $49.99 (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
Motorola Droid - $49.99 (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
VZW Escapade - FREE! (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
VZW Kin Two - $49.99 (34.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
VZW PC770 - FREE! (39.99 calling plan coupled with unlimited data feature)
*Promotions are for 2 year service agreements only
*19% Discount on qualified monthly recurring charges
*Free ground shipping on all phone orders
*Waived activation fees
*25% off accessories
Please visit the EC Purchasing website or contact your local Agency Rep for more information.
eRecordings are now being accepted by the following counties:
Alachua
Bay
Brevard
Broward
Clay
Duval
Escambia
Hillsborough
Lee
Leon
Miami-Dade
Nassau
Orange
Pinellas
Santa Rosa
Suwannee
Walton
More counties will be added in the coming months. Find out more from Fidelity's approved vendor: Simplifile. Ask about the Fidelity discount!