3953.32 Offer of closing or settlement protection to parties. - Ohio Statutes

3953.32 Offer of closing or settlement protection to parties.

(A) At the time an order is placed with a title insurance company for issuance of a title insurance policy, the title insurance company or the title insurance agent shall offer closing or settlement protection to the lender, borrower, and seller of the property, and to any applicant for title insurance.

(B) The closing or settlement protection offered pursuant to this section shall indemnify any lender, borrower, seller, and applicant that has requested the protection, both individually and collectively, against the loss of settlement funds resulting from any of the following acts of the title insurance company’s named title insurance agent or anyone acting on the agent’s behalf:

(1) Theft, misappropriation, fraud, or any other failure to properly disburse settlement, closing, or escrow funds;

(2) Failure to comply with any applicable written closing instructions, when agreed to by the title insurance agent.

(C) The issuance of closing or settlement protection by a title insurance company pursuant to division (A) of this section is part of the business of title insurance for purposes of Chapter 3953. of the Revised Code.

(D) Except as provided in division (A) of this section, a title insurance company shall not offer or issue any coverage purporting to indemnify against a person’s improper acts or omissions in connection with escrow, settlement, or closing services.

(E) The superintendent of insurance may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as the superintendent considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, including, but not limited to, rules that detail the specific language that must be included in the written document offering closing or settlement protection as provided for in division (A) of this section.

Effective Date: 01-01-2007; 04-06-2007