Definitions

All terms defined in Title 41, Chapters 1, 13, and 27, Idaho Code, which are used in this rule will have the same meaning as used in those chapters. (3-31-22) 01. Applicant. A party to a real estate transaction who may be the buyer, seller and/or a proposed or named insured on a title commitment, policy, guaranty or other title insurance product. (3-31-22) 02. Financial Interest. Any interest that entitles the holder in any manner to two and one-half percent (2.5%) or more of the profits or net worth of the title entity in which the interest is held. (3-31-22) 03. Policy. Any contract or form of title insurance which prior to its issuance has been filed with the Director of Insurance. (3-31-22) 04. Preliminary Report. A binder of insurance, a commitment to insure, a preliminary report of title, and litigation reports including quiet title action, foreclosure actions of contracts of sale, deeds of trust or mortgages where a policy of title insurance will be issued on the successful completion thereof. Excluded are miscellaneous reports which do not insure title, such as judgment reports, lot book reports or property search reports which are governed by Subsection 012.01. (3-31-22) 05. Producer of Title Business. Includes any person engaged in this state in the trade, business, occupation or profession of: (3-31-22) a. Buying or selling interest in real property; or (3-31-22) b. Making loans secured by interest in real property; and (3-31-22) c. May include but not limited to real estate agents, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, lending or financial institutions, builders, attorneys, developers, sub-dividers, auctioneers engaged in the sale of real property, consumers, and the employees, agents, representatives, or solicitors of any of the foregoing; and (7-1-25) d. Will include any legal entity whose ownership is, directly or indirectly, comprised fifty-one percent (51%) or more by entities or individuals described in Paragraph 010.05.c of this rule. (3-31-22) 06. Title Examination. A search and examination of the title and a determination of insurability of the title in accordance with sound title underwriting practices. Such examination of the public records will be made only for the purpose of determining insurability of the described property and not as a report on the condition of the record. (7-1-25) 07. Issuance of a Policy. The preparation, execution and delivery of a title insurance policy which is deemed to be only a contract of insurance up to the face amount of such policy and will in no way create a tort liability as to the condition of the record insured from. The same will include any necessary investigation just prior to actual issuance of a policy to determine if there has been proper execution, acknowledgment and delivery of any conveyances, mortgage papers, and other title instruments which may be necessary for the issuance of a policy. It will also include determination of the status of taxes based on the latest available information and a final search of the title and that all necessary papers have been filed for record. Issuance of the policy will not include services which are essentially escrow or closing services, such as receiving and disbursing money, prorating insurance and taxes, etc., for which an escrow fee will be charged. The issuer of the policy may specify requirements necessary for the issuance of the title insurance, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to meet such requirements and the title insurance agent will not act for the applicant to satisfy the same. It is not the responsibility of the policy issuer to cure defects of title or remove liens or encumbrances. Title insurers and title insurance agents issuing title insurance policies will not do any acts which constitute the practice of law and the premium will not include the cost of legal services to be performed for the benefit of anyone other than the company. A title insurance agent who is also a licensed lawyer rendering any legal services in the transaction insured will render a separate legal billing and the escrow fees will not IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 18.05.01 Department of Insurance Rules for Title Insurance Regulation Section 011 Page 4 include such legal services. (3-31-22) 08. Self-Promotional. A promotional function conducted by a single entity or a promotional item intended for distribution by a single entity. All benefits from the promotional function or item will accrue to the entity promoting itself. (3-31-22) 09. Items of Value. Anything that has a monetary value and includes, but is not limited to, tangible objects, services, use of facilities, monetary advances, extension of lines of credit, creation of compensating balances, and all other forms of consideration. (3-31-22) 10. Trade Association. An association of persons, a majority of whom are producers of title business, or persons whose primary activity involves real property. (3-31-22) 11. Title Entity. Includes title insurance agents, title insurers and their employees, agents, or representatives. (7-1-25) 12. Definitions Pertaining to Collected Funds: (7-1-25) a. Collected Funds means (i) United States Currency; (ii) deposit made via: (1) the Federal Reserve Bank through the Federal Reserve’s funds transfer system; or (2) a funds transfer system provided by an association of banks; (iii) interbank electronic transfer such that the funds are unconditionally received; (iv) checks, negotiable orders of withdrawal, money orders, and any other item that has been finally paid as described in I.C. 28-4-213; (v) any depository check, including cashier’s check, certified check, or teller’s check, which is governed by the provisions of the federal expedited funds availability act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 4001 et seq.; and (vi) any other credited funds that the depository bank has confirmed are finally settled or that there has been final settlement of the funds; and (vii) any check drawn on a title insurance agent or title insurer licensed by the Idaho Department of Insurance. (7-1-25) b. Collection or Long-Term Escrow means an escrow established for the purpose of receiving two (2) or more periodic payments over a total period of time after establishment in excess of thirty (30) days. (3-31-22) c. Escrow includes any agreement (express, implied in fact or at law) pursuant to which funds or documents are delivered to an escrow agent for holding until the happening of a contingency or until the performance of a condition, and then delivered by the escrow agent to another or recorded by the escrow agent. (3-31-22) d. Escrow Agent includes any person or entity described in Section 41-2704, Idaho Code, (and the rules promulgated thereunder), which accepts funds or documents for the purpose described in Subsection 010.13.g. (3-31-22) e. Incidental Expenses: Direct expenses that are the obligation of one or more of the parties to an escrow transaction but are not the purchaser's principal obligation. Incidental expenses would include, but not limited to, advances to cover unexpected recording fees and additional interest caused by delays in closings or miscalculations. (7-1-25)