Effective: January 1, 2007
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 185 - 126th General Assembly
(A) Every title insurance agent shall keep books of account and record and vouchers pertaining to the business of title insurance in such manner that the title insurance company may readily ascertain from time to time whether the agent has complied with this chapter.
(B) A title insurance agent may engage in the business of handling escrows of real property transactions provided that the agent shall maintain a separate record of all receipts and disbursements of escrow funds and shall not commingle any such funds with the agent's own funds or with funds held by the agent in any other capacity; and if at any time the superintendent of insurance determines that an agent has failed to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the superintendent may revoke the license of the agent pursuant to section 3905.14 of the Revised Code, subject to review as provided for in Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
(C) All title insurance agents or agencies that handle escrows in real property transactions not involving the issuance of title insurance shall have coverage that protects the parties to such transactions against theft, misappropriation, fraud, or any other failure to properly disburse settlement, closing, or escrow funds. The superintendent shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum requirements for such coverage, including, but not limited to, the minimum amounts, terms, and conditions of such coverage.
(D) The superintendent shall require every title insurance agent or agency and any subcontractors to maintain an errors and omissions policy, in any amount exceeding minimum limits established by the superintendent, that includes but is not limited to coverage for the agent's or agency's delegation of any agent or agency function. The superintendent shall adopt rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum requirements for that coverage, including but not limited to the minimum amounts, terms, and conditions of the coverage.
Structure Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 3953 | Title Insurance
Section 3953.01 | Title Insurance Definitions.
Section 3953.02 | Application of Chapter.
Section 3953.03 | Only Title Insurance Company to Engage in Title Insurance Business.
Section 3953.04 | Title Insurance Company to Be Organized as Stock Corporation.
Section 3953.05 | Minimum Capital and Surplus.
Section 3953.06 | Depositing Securities.
Section 3953.07 | Sound Underwriting Practices.
Section 3953.08 | Permitted Services.
Section 3953.09 | Prohibited Services.
Section 3953.10 | Title Insurance Company to Engage in Title Insurance Only.
Section 3953.11 | Unearned Premium Reserve.
Section 3953.12 | Other Reserves.
Section 3953.13 | Reinsurance.
Section 3953.14 | Investments.
Section 3953.15 | Investment of Unearned Premium Reserve.
Section 3953.16 | Investment of Trust Funds or Assets Held in Fiduciary Capacity.
Section 3953.17 | Foreign Title Insurance Company - License.
Section 3953.18 | Prohibition Against Policies Covering Real Property - Exceptions.
Section 3953.19 | Merger and Consolidation.
Section 3953.20 | Prior Approval Required for Acquisition of Other Title Insurance Company.
Section 3953.21 | Certification of Title Insurance Agents.
Section 3953.22 | Licensing Title Insurance Agents.
Section 3953.23 | Maintaining Books of Account and Record and Vouchers.
Section 3953.24 | Firm Name of Agent.
Section 3953.25 | Commission Payments.
Section 3953.26 | Payments for Inducement of Business.
Section 3953.27 | Division of Fees and Charges.
Section 3953.28 | Prior Approval Required for Forms and Contracts.
Section 3953.29 | Prohibiting Restrictive Covenants Constituting Unlawful Discriminatory Practice.
Section 3953.30 | Notice Comparing Lender's and Owner's Title Insurance.
Section 3953.32 | Offer of Closing or Settlement Protection to Parties.
Section 3953.33 | Annual Independent Review of Agency Accounts.
Section 3953.331 | Joint Venture Title Insurance Agencies Annual Review.
Section 3953.35 | Prohibited Conduct Regarding Loans of $75,000 or Less.
Section 3953.36 | Dissolution or Termination of a Joint Venture Title Insurance Agency.