2011 Fidelity National Title Group, Inc.
Texas ENDORSEMENT MANUAL
This Texas Endorsement Manual is prepared exclusively for the use of
employees of licensed title insurance agents and direct operations writing
policies on underwriters that are part of the Fidelity National Title Group,
Inc. family of title insurance companies. In Texas, those underwriters are:
Alamo Title Insurance, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Commonwealth
Land Title Insurance Company, and Fidelity National Title Insurance
Company.
Updated February 2012
2011 Fidelity National Title Group, Inc. 2 Updated Feb. 2012
CONFIDENTIALITY OF MANUAL
All materials contained in the Fidelity National Title Group- Texas Endorsement Manual (hereinafter Manual) are confidential and privileged communications from the Fidelity National Title Group, Inc. family of underwriters (hereinafter Company) to you. Under no circumstances are the instructions or any other part of the Manual to be given to anyone who is not an employee or agent of the Company.
USE AND PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL
This Manual is designed to assist in determination of the types of endorsements available in Texas and when an endorsement may be offered. The endorsements referenced in this Manual all have corresponding promulgated endorsement forms that must be used. In Texas, only endorsements and premium charges, if any, which have been promulgated by the Texas Department of Insurance may be issued and collected.1 These forms have been preprinted for the various brands and can be found on our website at: http://www.fntgswagency.com/EndorsementForms.aspx The underwriting guidelines set forth in this Manual represent the Companys minimum underwriting requirements associated with each endorsement considering the rules, regulations and laws in effect as of the date of this Manual. In addition to the guidelines contained in this Manual, you must adhere to the Companys most current underwriting policies and procedures, as well as applicable laws, rules and regulations. The use of the Manual does not absolve your responsibility to obtain Overlimits Policy Authorization. Where Company policy or guidelines contained herein require approval from Regional Underwriting, such approval must be obtained and kept in the transaction file. Finally, the Company reserves the right to refuse issuance of a policy or endorsement despite adherence to the underwriting guidelines contained herein. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Regional Underwriting at 800-303-4303 OR 800-292-5320.
Contents of this Manual
This Manual contains the following sections (go to TABLE OF CONTENTS):
Introduction- the Texas Title Insurance Basic Manual Important Definitions Title Insurance Policies in Texas- a summary Quick Reference Table/Chart of Texas Title Insurance Endorsements Texas Title Insurance Endorsements- for each endorsement you will find
a. The Purpose of the endorsement b. The policy to which the endorsement may be attached. c. Procedural Rule governing the issuance of the endorsement. d. Underwriting guidelines and additional requirements, if any e. Rate Rule governing the premium charge for the endorsement, if any.
Appendix a. Chart- Endorsement Availability by Policy Type b. Issuing Policies Before and After Construction, generally c. Express Insurance, generally d. Specimen/sample forms for use with i) Home Equity Loan Transactions; and ii) Leasehold Policies
1 Pursuant to 2551.003 of the Texas Insurance Code, the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is authorized to
adopt the rules and regulations for title insurance in the State of Texas. Such rules and regulations promulgated by TDI are found in The Texas Title Insurance Basic Manual (Basic Manual).
http://www.fntgswagency.com/EndorsementForms.aspx
2011 Fidelity National Title Group, Inc. 3 Updated Feb. 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS-CLICK TITLE/ENDORSEMENT FOR GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
TEXAS TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES IN TEXAS ......................................................................................................................... 7
QUICK REFERENCE - TABLE OF TEXAS TITLE INSURANCE ENDORSEMENTS ............................................................. 11
TEXAS TITLE INSURANCE ENDORSEMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 18
ACCESS ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-23 .......................................................................................................................................... 19
ADDITIONAL INSURED ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-26 ............................................................................................................. 21
AGGREGATION ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-16 ........................................................................................................................... 23
AREA AND BOUNDARY AMENDMENT- FORM T-3 ................................................................................................................... 25 T-47 Residential Real Property Affidavit ........................................................................................................................................... 30
ASSIGNMENT OF LIEN ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-3 ................................................................................................................ 32 LENDERS (ASSIGNORS) CERTIFICATE TO TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY ..................................................................... 35 BORROWER/OWNER AFFIDAVIT AND ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATION .................................................................................... 36
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS/LEASES ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-27 .......................................................................................... 37
BALLOON MORTGAGE ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-39 ............................................................................................................. 39
CO-INSURANCE ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-48 ........................................................................................................................... 40
COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS ENDORSEMENT (Owner Policy)- FORM T-3 ............................................................. 42 FINAL BILLS PAID AFFIDAVIT AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT .......................................................................................... 48
COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENTS ENDORSEMENT (Loan Policy)- FORM T-3 ................................................................ 50 FINAL BILLS PAID AFFIDAVIT AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT .......................................................................................... 56
CONDOMINIUM ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-28 ........................................................................................................................... 58 CHECKLIST FOR ISSUING T-28 ..................................................................................................................................................... 59
CONTIGUITY ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-25 ................................................................................................................................ 63
CONTIGUITY ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-25.1 ............................................................................................................................. 65
CORRECTION ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-3 ................................................................................................................................ 67
DOWNDATE TO LOAN POLICY- FORM T-3 ................................................................................................................................ 68
DOWNDATE TO OWNER POLICY- FORM T-3 ............................................................................................................................ 71
DOWNDATE TO MORTGAGE TITLE POLICY BINDER ON INTERIM CONSTRUCTION LOAN-FORM T-3 ................ 73
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIEN- FORM T-36 ............................................................................................................... 75
EQUITY LOAN MORTGAGE ENDORSEMENT- FORM T-42 ..................................................................................................... 76 T-42 UNDERWRITING CHECKLIST .............................................................................................................................................. 77 NOTICE TO LENDER OF THE DELETION OF CERTAIN HOME EQUITY LIEN COVERAGES ............................................ 80
