What is a Title Agency Bond?
A title agency bond is a surety bond required of title agencies, which guarantees that they comply with state rules and regulations, as well as with industry standards. The title agency bond’s purpose is to protect a title agent’s clients from dishonest practices and financial losses, and protect the state from liability if these were to occur.
The function of title agencies is to guarantee that a certain real estate or property is legally available to be sold. As such, title agencies check country real estate records to determine ownership, as well as whether there are any outstanding mortgages or other financial obligations tied to the property.
In all of this, a great degree of attention is required, as well as faithful adherence to rules and regulations. Therefore, many states require title agencies to obtain a surety bond as part of the licensing process for title agencies and agents.
These bonds have nothing to do with motor vehicle title agencies, or cases of lost vehicle titles.
Bryant Surety Bonds can underwrite title agency bonds in all states which require them. We can offer you exclusive and highly competitive rates. We can also help you get bonded if you have a lower credit score, through our bad credit surety bond program. Read on about title agency bond cost and how you can get bonded or simply apply for your bond from the table below.
Find the Bond You Need
The table below contains a list of only the most popular surety bonds. If you can't find yours, fill out our online application and select "Not in the list".
| Arizona | Escrow Agent Bond | Arizona Dept of Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
| California | Escrow Licensee | California Department of Corporations | Apply Now |
| District of Columbia | Title Producer Bond | Government of the District of Columbia | Apply Now |
| Florida | Title Agency Bond | Florida Dept. of Financial Services | Apply Now |
| Iowa | Closing Agent | Superintendent of Banking Iowa Department | Apply Now |
| Kansas | Escrow, Settlement or Closing Accounts | Commissioner of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Maryland | Insurance Administrator Title | Maryland Insurance Administration | Apply Now |
| Montana | Escrow Business Bond | MT, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions | Apply Now |
| Nebraska | Escrow Agents Bond | state of Nebraska | Apply Now |
| Nevada | Escrow Agency/Agent Bond | Division of Mortgage Lending | Apply Now |
| Ohio | Title Agent Bond | Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Pennsylvania | Title Insurance Agent | Pennsylvania Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Tennessee | Title Insurance Producer's | Dept of Commerce and Insurance | Apply Now |
| Tennessee | Title Insurance Producer's | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance | Apply Now |
| Texas | Texas Escrow Officers Schedule Bond | Texas Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Texas | Title Insurance Agent's Direct Operation's Bond | Department of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Virginia | Title Insurance Settlement Agent | Bureru of Insurance | Apply Now |
| Washington | Escrow Agent Business | State of Washington D.F.I. | Apply Now |
Title Agency Bond Cost
Title agency bond cost is determined from state to state. Each state has different requirements for title agencies regarding the amount of the bond that they need to obtain. For example, a Florida title agency bond is in the amount of $35,000, while in Pennsylvania the amount is $100,000, and $150,000 in Ohio. And in Texas, the amount of a title agency bond is determined on the basis of their gross premium written. On the other hand, the Virginia title insurance settlement bond amounts to $200,000 and the Louisiana auto title company bond - $100,000 (for companies with one location), and $125,000 (for companies with two or more locations).
The cost of your title agency bond is a percentage of your bond’s amount as mandated by your state Department of Insurance or similar agency. When you submit your title agency surety bond application, the surety assesses your application and determines a premium for you to pay in order to obtain the bond.
This premium is a fraction of the total amount of your title agency bond. When determining the exact quote on your bond, sureties take certain financial factors into consideration, such as your personal credit score. Personal credit score typically is the most important factor that sureties consider, because it signals whether an applicant is financially stable.
Applicants with a high credit score (600 or above) will usually be offered premiums that range between 1%-5% of the total amount of their title agency bond. This means that in some states you may have to pay as little as $350 in order to get your title agency bond, though the exact amount will vary by state and by applicant.
Bryant Surety Bonds works with some of the best surety bond companies in the country. All our partner companies are A-rated and T-listed surety bond companies, placing them among the top companies in the industry. Their ratings guarantee highly secure and stable financial backing, as well as rates on surety bonds which can rarely be matched.
Our surety bond cost page can provide you with further information about other factors which influence the formation of a bond’s cost. Make sure to check it out!
Bad Credit Title Agency Bond Program
You can also apply for a title agency bond through our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program if your credit score isn’t perfect.
We have access to markets that can provide title agency bonds for bad credit applicants at good rates. Rates under this program are usually higher than standard market rates. This means that your title agency bond may cost between 5%-10% of the total amount of your bond. The higher rate is necessitated by the increased risk involved in bonding bad credit applicants.
Yet, the exact cost of your bond depends on your particular case, so make sure to request a free bond quote.
How to Get Your Title Agency Bond
To get a surety bond for your title agency, simply apply online. We’ll contact you with a free bond quote on your title agency bond. With a few simple steps, we can underwrite your bond.
Our surety bond specialists are always there for you. Call us at 866.450.3412 if you’d like to consult with one of them, and find out more about title agency bonds and how you can get bonded. If you have any questions or difficulties, we will be happy to help as well! Don’t hesitate to call us!
