20-1591. Forms of policies and other contracts of title insurance; approval or disapproval

429 words·~2 min read·/az/title-20/20-1591

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. Every title insurer shall file with the director all forms of title policies and other contracts of title insurance before issuance of any policy or contract. A title insurance rating organization may make filings on behalf of all of its members or subscribers. A title insurer shall not issue any policy or contract until thirty days after the policy or contract has been filed with the director. A policy or contract is approved thirty days after filing unless the director has issued, within the thirty-day period, an order affirmatively approving or disapproving the form.

On written notice given within the thirty-day period to the person making the filing, the director may extend the period for up to fifteen additional days to enable the director to complete the review of the filing.

B. Forms of title policies and other contracts of insurance, as used in this section, shall specifically exclude:

1. Reinsurance contracts or agreements.

2. All specific defects in title that may be ascertained from an examination of the risk and excepted in reports, binders or policies, together with any affirmative assurance of the title insurer with respect to the defects whether given by endorsement or otherwise.

3. Further exceptions from coverage by reason of limitations on the examination of the risk imposed by an applicant for insurance or through failure of an applicant for insurance to provide the date requisite to a judgment of insurability.

C. An agreement by a person to indemnify or hold harmless a title insurer from risks that arise from an instrument that is or becomes properly recorded and indexed in the office of the county recorder is enforceable only if the agreement is in writing and any of the following applies:

1. The instrument was not of record at the time the agreement was executed.

2. The instrument is specifically described in the agreement.

3. The instrument is shown as an exception from coverage in the title insurance policy.

4. The instrument is or secures a monetary obligation of the person and remains an outstanding and enforceable debt. An improvement district assessment is not a monetary obligation of the person.

5. The agreement indemnifies for or holds harmless against liens that arise from work or labor done or professional services, materials, machinery, fixtures or tools furnished on the insured property.

D. Subsection C of this section does not affect the enforceability of title warranties provided by a person in a deed or mortgage.

E. An agreement pursuant to subsection C must be separate from and not included in the title insurance policy.