Opinion ID: 1036249
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Land Title's Relationship with CTIC

Text: Land Title is one of several duly appointed agents of CTIC. Land Title is not authorized to sell insurance in Washington; rather, it is a UTC of CTIC. According to OIC's records, Land Title is authorized to issue title insurance for only one insurer: CTIC. AR at 347. Aside from selling CTIC's title insurance policies, Land Title markets escrow services, which constitute 28 percent of its total revenue. Land Title requires all of its escrow customers to purchase title insurance as well. AR at 510 (TITLE INSURANCE . . . Must be provided in conjunction with every escrow transaction provided by this office.). Land Title and CTIC entered into an Issuing Agency Agreement (Agreement) providing for Land Title to issue CTIC's title assurances in four Washington counties: Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson, and Mason. In these four counties, CTIC conducts no direct operations. The Agreement authorizes Land Title to sign, countersign and issue Principal's title assurances on forms supplied and approved by Principal and only on real property located in the County or Counties listed above, and in such other Counties as may be designated in writing by Principal ....  AR at 519, at 1f 3. 5 This section of the Washington Administrative Code has since been repealed and superseded by RCW 48.29.210 and WAC 284-29-200 through 284-29-260. Wash. St. Reg. 09-05-077 (Mar. 20, 2009). 5 No. 87215-5 However, Land Title is not authorized to do any other act for principal not expressly authorized herein. /d. Land Title must use forms supplied by CTIC and charge only premiums approved by CTIC, but may not use CTIC's name in any advertising or printing other than to indicate its status as CTIC's policy issuing agent. CTIC retains the power to decide questions of risk for Land Title and is fully authorized and empowered in its absolute discretion, to defend, settle, compromise or dispose of any claim for which any party to this Agreement may be liable. AR at 521, at1J10.B.