Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 18 - Insurance, Department of
Rule 18.05.01 - RULES FOR TITLE INSURANCE REGULATION
Section 18.05.01.012 - PROCEDURAL RULES

Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 18.05.01.012

Current through August 31, 2023

01. Miscellaneous Reports. Where an insurer or its agent issues judgment reports, lot book reports or property search reports, each such report will specifically contain the following statement: "This report is based on a search of our tract indexes of the county records. This is not a title or ownership report and no examination of the title to the property described has been made. For this reason, no liability beyond the amount paid for this report is assumed hereunder, and the company is not responsible beyond the amount paid for any errors and omissions contained herein." (3-31-22)

02. Special Exceptions. An insurer may insert such special exception(s) as may develop from an examination of the title. A special exception will specifically describe the item excepted to and will not be general in terms. The printed provisions of a filed policy form, including exclusions from coverage, exceptions not insured against and stipulations and conditions will not be deemed special exceptions. (3-31-22)

03. Liens and Encumbrances, Standards of Insurability and Insuring Around. The determination of insurability as to liens and encumbrances under Sections 41-2708(1) and the risk disallowed under 41-2708 (2), Idaho Code, intentionally omitting an outstanding enforceable recorded lien or encumbrance, are interpreted by the insurance director to mean: (3-31-22)

a. "Intentionally" omitting an outstanding enforceable recorded lien or encumbrance is the issuance of the policy with the intent to conceal information from any person by suppressing or withholding title information, the consequence of which could result in a monetary loss either to the title insurance company or to the insured under the policy or binder. (3-31-22)

b. "Outstanding enforceable recorded lien or encumbrance" and/or "determination of insurability" as to possible liens and encumbrances will not be construed as preventing an insurer from issuing a policy without taking exception to a specific recorded, inchoate, or death tax item when sound underwriting standards and practices allow insurance against the item. Defects of title are not regulated by this provision. Specifically, a policy may be issued without taking exception to the following items on the conditions set out: (3-31-22)
i. Where a lien securing an obligation, though not released of record, to the satisfaction of the insurer has been discharged and the insurer or its agent has documentary evidence in its file that the obligation has been paid in full. (3-31-22)

ii. Where funds are in escrow to pay said item and a recordable release in form for filing is available for recording in the ordinary course of business. (3-31-22)

iii. Where liens, in the opinion of counsel, are barred by the statute of limitations. (3-31-22)

iv. Where inchoate liens may arise from improvements to the described property and may have priority over a mortgage being insured and a sufficient indemnity defined has been delivered to and accepted by the insurer, or sufficient funds, including short term treasury bills and notes, have been deposited with the insurer or its agent to assure ultimate payment and release of such liens; provided, an exception as to such inchoate liens will be shown on the policy with a provision insuring against enforcement. Sufficient indemnity as used herein will mean a direct obligation to pay such liens in an amount judged adequate by the insurer executed by a financial institution regulated by the state or federal government or executed by a responsible person as hereinafter defined. This subsection will also apply to recorded liens being contested if the indemnity is one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the claim and is by such financial institution or in said funds. (3-31-22)

v. Where the insurer has previously issued a policy without taking exception to the specific item and is called upon to issue an additional policy where it is already obligated under such prior policy and where the new policy will not increase its liability or exposure; provided, an exception as to such item will be shown on the policy with a provision insuring against the enforcement thereof. (3-31-22)

vi. When the mortgage policy issued insures validity and priority of a lien, the insurer need not itemize liens which are subordinate to the lien insured, whether by express subordination or operation of law, unless such subordinated matters are shown to comply with a policy provision, or unless requested by the insured to do so; provided, when issuing a preliminary report, commitment or a binder for a mortgagee's policy all subordinate liens will be shown but a statement may be made that they are subordinate. (3-31-22)

vii. With reference to federal estate taxes and state inheritance taxes which have not been paid, where the insurer has examined a balance sheet of the estate and determined more than adequate funds are on hand to pay such taxes, and the insurer has taken an indemnity from a responsible person protecting itself against such unpaid taxes, or where sufficient moneys or other securities to pay such taxes have been placed in escrow pending the payment thereof or pending receipt of waiver of lien from the taxing authority. (3-31-22)

viii. "Responsible person" is one (1), or more than one (1) if they are jointly and severally liable, each of whose current verified balance sheet upon examination is determined by the insurer to be sufficient for the purpose of the indemnity given. Verified copies of all statements will be retained by the insurer or its agent. (3-31-22)

04. Mechanics' Liens, Disallowed Risk. Under the provisions of Section 41 -2708, Idaho Code, the Insurance Director has determined under standards of insurability, disallowed risks and rebates, that under all forms of mortgage policies the risk insured will not include unrecorded liens and encumbrances, including contractors', subcontractors' professional services, materialmen's and mechanics' liens, unless: (3-31-22)

a. The mortgage will have been placed of record prior to commencement of any improvement on the premises and the insurer is satisfied that the mortgage and related documents with reference to such priority; or (3-31-22)

b. Unless the provisions of Subsections 012.03.b.ii., 012.03.b.iii. or 012.03.b.iv., and 012.03.b.viii. as applicable have been complied with; or (3-31-22)

c. Unless the insurer has satisfied itself and documented its file that construction has been completed and the time for filing liens has expired. (3-31-22)

05. Usury, Truth in Lending Disclosures. Protection against usury, or disclosures prescribed in consumer credit protection acts, truth in lending acts, or similar acts imposing duties on lenders, do not constitute a part of the issuance of title insurance policies. Title insurers and their agents will not prepare or pass judgment on documents as to usury nor on disclosure documents and notice of right of rescission documents demanded by any such acts or make any computations as essential therein, in the issuance of title insurance policies; provided, an endorsement to a mortgage policy insuring that the loan is one by definition of the Truth in Lending Act exempt from rescission is permissible. Nothing herein will prevent such title insurers or their agents from performing closing or escrow services involving such matters when a proper fee is obtained therefor. (3-31-22)

06. Filing, Approval, Unique Contract or Rate. Whenever a title insurer is requested to insure a unique kind or class of risk for which a premium rate or form of policy or endorsement has not been filed, neither of which lends itself to an advance filing and determination of said rate or form, pursuant to Section 41-2706(4), such title insurer may make a written application to the Director of Insurance for approval of said special rate or form without complying with the filing notice and thirty (30) day waiting provisions of Section 41-2707 upon complying with the following requirements: (3-31-22)

a. The insurer has not agreed to the special rates, nor agreed to issue the special policy or endorsement, prior to making an application to the Director of Insurance. (3-31-22)

b. The insurer will make a written application to the Director of Insurance, requesting approval of the applicable special rate or special insurance policy or endorsement, wherein the insurer will set forth why the particular rate or policy or endorsement is unique as to the risk or form, that such item has or has not ever arisen in the past five (5) years to the knowledge of said insurer, and the circumstances if it has previously arisen in said period, and the circumstances which now arise which necessitate said rate, policy or endorsement and an analysis comparing said unique rate, policy or endorsement to the nearest comparable filed rate, policy or endorsement and justifying the difference on the basis of Sections 41-2706(1) and (2), Idaho Code. Such application will have attached to it the proposed policy or endorsement form. The Director of Insurance will have ten (10) working days after the date of receipt of such application to disapprove the same, and the filing will be deemed effective if the same is not disapproved within such time. The burden is upon the insurer to make inquiry after the expiration after said ten (10) days to determine whether a disapproval has been made, whether or not mailed notice of such disapproval has not yet been received by said insurer. (3-31-22)

c. These provisions are only applicable to rates, policies and endorsements, which by reason of the rarity of the event, or the peculiarity of the circumstances, do not lend themselves to a general advance determination and filing of said item. Applications under this rule and the applicable statute will not be approved if it appears either that said application does not meet the standards of the statute or is such a deviation from the usual policy form or rate most nearly applicable thereto as to be an unsound underwriting practice or an inadequate premium. (3-31-22)

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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