Bulletin: NY000209
- Date:
- July 24, 2003
- To:
- All New York State Office Counsel, Managers and Agents
- RE:
- Mutual Indemnity Agreement
The bulletin below references a Memorandum attachment which was sent to all recipients. If you would like to see the Memorandum, please send a written request to Stewart Title Insurance Company's Legal Department.
On July 22, 2003, Stewart Title Insurance Company joined
in the execution of a Mutual Indemnification Agreement (hereinafter, the
“Agreement”) with six other
Briefly, the aim of the Agreement is to create a process whereby certain exceptions to title, which predate the acquisition of the interest of an insured, may be omitted upon production of evidence of coverage afforded by a signatory to the Agreement. There are, however, several major points that bear reiteration.
First, not all exceptions may be disposed of by the terms of the Agreement. The attached Memorandum contains a list of “Covered Defects” (as that term is defined by the Agreement) as well as a list of matters that are not covered by the Agreement.
Second, not all underwriters have joined in the execution of the Agreement. As to those companies, the current process of exchanging indemnity letters will continue.
Third, the entire area of “mortgage only” letters is unaffected by the Agreement.
Only time will tell how effective the Agreement will be in simplifying the clearance and indemnification process. Undoubtedly there will be issues to be resolved at the outset. Properly implemented and administered, it should eliminate a portion of the burdensome and time consuming process of clearance of title issues among participants.
If there are any questions regarding the application of the Agreement, please call Company Counsel.
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.