ALTA’s Title Insurance and Settlement Company
Best Practices Resources & Documents

Welcome to ALTA's "Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices" resource and documentation page. Here's where you'll find the latest version of the Best Practices along with support documentation, as well as checklists, webinars and links to additional information, to aid implementation of the Best Practices. Some of these documents are only available to ALTA Members and are marked with the [M] symbol, so be sure you're logged in.

Title and Settlement Company Best Practices

	Executive Summary (01-02-13)
	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
	Frequently Asked Questions

Best Practice Pillar #1: Licensing

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
The checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Licensing Checklist [M]
State insurance departments are a good source for company and agent licensing information.	National Association of Insurance Commissioners Map
ALTA compiles details on state laws relating to the licensing and operating requirements of title insurers, title agents, abstracters, and escrow and closing agents.	Title Insurance Regulatory Survey
Any issuing agent of title insurance is required to hold a license for the continued use of ALTA’s policy forms. Cost of a Policy Forms License is $195. Membership with ALTA includes a Policy Forms License for no separate cost.	Policy Forms Licensing

Best Practice Pillar #2: Escrow Trust Accounting

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
The checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Escrow Trust Account Checklist [M]
This recorded webinar outlines procedures on documenting your escrow trust account policies so you can verify compliance.	Webinar on How to Document Your Escrow Trust Account Policies
	Tips on Documenting Your Escrow Trust Account Policies [M]
This is an online self-study course which can be completed in approximately two hours.	Escrow Accounting Procedures Course

Best Practice Pillar #3: Protecting NPI

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
	Checklist for Protecting Non-public Personal Information: Network Security [M]
	Checklist for Protecting Non-public Personal Information: Physical Security [M]
Todd Hougaard of GreenFolders and Michael Volin of Title Resource Group address important steps you can take toward satisfying privacy obligations and how to develop detailed policies for handling non-public personal information.	Webinar on Implementing a Plan to Protect Non-public Personal Information [M]
Free resources to help businesses of any size securely collect, keep, and dispose of sensitive personal information of customers or employees in their files.	Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Data Security Best Practices
An overview of existing laws and FTC policy, and includes a number of “general guidelines” that mobile app developers should consider.	FTC Guidance for Mobile Apps on Privacy and Truth-in-Advertising Laws
	FTC Guidance on Privacy and Security
Detailed information to help consumers deter, detect, and defend against identity theft.	FTC: Avoid ID Theft

Best Practice Pillar #4: Settlement Processes

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
This checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Recording and Pricing Checklist [M]

Best Practice Pillar #5: Policy Production

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
The checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Policy Production Checklist [M]

Best Practice Pillar #6: Insurance Coverage

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
The checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Insurance Coverage Checklist [M]

Best Practice Pillar #7: Customer Care

	Title Insurance and Settlement Company Best Practices (01-02-13)
This checklist is meant to be an internal document and should be used as a tool to help organize your efforts to meet the Best Practices.	Customer Care Checklist [M]
A portion of the BBB code advises companies to handle consumer complaints by being responsive and addressing marketplace disputes quickly, professionally and in good-faith.	Better Business Bureau Code of Business Practices

This information is not a substitute for legal advice, is for your reference only, and is not intended to represent the only approach to any particular issue. This information should not be construed as legal, financial or business advice, and users should consult legal counsel and subject-matter experts to be sure that the policies adopted and implemented meet the requirements unique to your company.