Section 910-26.1 - Other requirementsAgents for a title insurance company shall be required to:
(1) Obtain errors and omissions insurance in an amount acceptable to the insurer appointing the agent, but in no event in an amount less that two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per claim and an aggregate limit of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) with a deductible no greater than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). A title insurer shall not provide the insurance directly or indirectly on behalf of a title insurance agent. In the event errors and omissions insurance is unavailable generally, the Insurance Department shall promulgate rules for alternative methods to comply with this paragraph.(2) Obtain a blanket fidelity bond covering all agency employes in an amount acceptable to the title insurance company appointing the agent, but in no event in an amount less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) and with a deductible not larger than fifteen percent of the bond penalty. The bond shall be executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. When the agency has no employes except the owners, partners or stockholders, the agency, with sufficient documentation, may apply to the Insurance Department for a waiver of this fidelity bond requirement. The required bond premium shall be paid by the title insurance agent, and a title insurer shall not provide the bond directly or indirectly on behalf of a title insurance agent. Except for the inception of this requirement, the bond term must conform to the term of the agent's certification, and documentation of coverage must be furnished to the Insurance Department at the time of certification renewal. In the event of cancellation by the insurance company, the insurer must give the Commonwealth thirty (30) days' written notice before the cancellation will be deemed effective.(3) Post a surety bond in the form prescribed by the Insurance Department of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). The bond shall be executed by an insurance company authorized to do business in this Commonwealth. For purposes of this section, an agency is defined as an individual person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity that conducts the business of title insurance on behalf of a title insurer. The bond shall secure performance by the agent of his fiduciary duties and responsibilities. The bond will remain in full force and effect until cancelled. In the event of cancellations by the surety, thirty (30) days' notice must be given to the Insurance Department before the cancellation will be deemed effective. The premium required for the bond shall be paid by the title insurance agent, and a title insurance company shall not provide the bond directly or indirectly on behalf of a title insurance agent. The aggregate liability of the surety for any and all breaches of the conditions of the bond shall in no event exceed the penal sum of the bond. Title insurers are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a surety bond.(4) Render accounts to the title insurer detailing all transactions and remit all funds and policies due under the contract to the title insurer on a specified basis.(5) Collect and hold in a fiduciary capacity for the account of a title insurer all funds due the title insurer in a bank or other financial institution insured by an agency of the Federal Government. Each account shall be used for all payments on behalf of the title insurer with whom a title agency contract exists.(6) Keep separate records of business written for each title insurer. The title insurer shall have access and a right to copy all files, accounts and records related to its business in a form acceptable to the title insurer, and the Insurance Commissioner shall have access to all files, books, bank accounts and records of the title insurance agent in a form usable to the Insurance Commissioner.1921, May 17, P.L. 682, art. VII, § 726.1, added 1995, Dec. 21, P.L. 714, No. 79, § 8, effective in 60 days.