Significant Consolidation in Title Industry
Columbus, Ohio – May 27, 2009: The Title industry lost nearly $670 million in 2008 with a combined ratio over 106. In fact, it was the worst year ever recorded in the history of Performance of Title Insurance Companies. With a need to reduce expenses and maximize operating revenue, 2009 looks to be a year in which the Title insurance industry landscape is redrawn. It began with the notable bankruptcy of Land America Financial Group at the end of 2008. Leading up to the holding company’s problems, Land America had already merged two smaller underwriters into larger ones within the group. After the bankruptcy, Fidelity National bought the remaining title underwriters and became the largest Title insurance group in the country.
Other companies have also begun to merge operations. Alliant National Insurance Company merged Mason Title Insurance Company (12550) into its operations. Old Republic National merged in Old Republic General Title Insurance Corporation (50005). Stewart Title Insurance Company absorbed Monroe Title Insurance Company (51063) while Stewart Title Guaranty Company will assume Alliance Title of America (50035).
First American has revealed its plans to merge the following companies into larger other First American underwriters in 2009:
Bridge Title Insurance Company (50008), Censtar Title Insurance Company (50636), Columbian National Title Insurance Company (51373), First American Title Insurance Company of Kansas (50043), Land Title Insurance Company (50237), Massachusetts Title Insurance Company (50989), Mortgage Guaranty & Title Company (N/A), Penn Attorney’s Title Company (51497) Port Lawrence Title Insurance Company (50202), Public Title Insurance Company (12518), T.A. Title Insurance Company (51403), Western National Title Insurance Company (51225). United General Title Insurance Company (51624) has already had its operations rolled into First American Title Insurance Company.
In 2008, the Title industry was down 6 companies from its peak in 2006. This year mergers may claim 17 more, representing almost a quarter of the companies over the last three years. These companies combined wrote over $200 million in Direct Premium, however United General accounted for over 70% of that total. For detailed financial information on all the companies affected, order your copy of the 2009 edition of Demotech Performance of Title Insurance Companies.
Title Industry Information and Analysis
For over 20 years, Performance of Title Insurance Companies has assisted in analyzing the Title insurance industry and its competitive landscape with industry-wide benchmarks, along with underwriters and group level analysis for competitive assessment. Representing more than 99% of the Title industry, Demotech Performance of Title Insurance Companies is the most complete and thorough industry analysis available.
The 2009 edition of Demotech Performance of Title Insurance Companies presents year-end 2008 Title industry results with extensive supporting detail and reports and can be ordered now by contacting Demotech at (800) 354-7207 or visiting https://www.demotech.com.
For more information regarding Demotech Performance of Title Insurance Companies and the availability of customized research and analysis of Title industry data from our Form 9 database, including sample industry analysis reports and publication excerpts, visit https://www.demotech.com/ptic.
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Paul Osborne, Senior Consultant
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