ALTA Best Practices

Streamline logo

Stephanie Fullerton of Streamline Consulting discusses the 7 Pillars of ALTA Best Practices. Not only is each Best Practice defined but an explanation is included that gives the reasoning behind it. Steps for implementation and the cerification process are also discussed. Below is a brief outline.

  • Overview   
    • ALTA
    • 7 Best Practices of Best Practices

    Best Practice #1    

    • Best Practice 1: Licensing
    • ALTA’s Policy Forms Licensing Requirement

    Best Practice #2    

    • Best Practice #2: Escrow Trust Accounting
    • Best Practice #2: Steps to Compliance

    Best Practice #3    

    • Best Practice #3: Protecting NPI
    • Best Practice #3: Steps to Compliance

    Best Practice #4    

    • Best Practice #4: Settlement Processes
    • Best Practice #4: Recording Procedures
    • Best Practice # 4:Pricing Procedure

    Best Practice #5    

    • Best Practice #5: Policy Production

    Best Practice #6    

    • Best Practice #6: Insurance Coverage

    Best Practice #7    

    • Best Practice #7: Consumer Complaints

    Implementing

    • Implementing

    Assessment    

    • Assessment Procedures
    • Assessment Preparation Workbook

    Certification   

    • Certification Package
    • Certification Package Part 1
    • Certification Package: Part 2

    Conclusion

Streamline Consulting, LLC was founded in 2004, born naturally, based on the experience of its founders and a need within the industry for bridging gaps between software and title and insurance functionality. Streamline became an effective, non-biased and neutral third-party, to help make decisions, implement policies and procedures and in utilizing production software to its fullest capacity; all of which needed to be specific to the individual/respective organization.

We take the human resource and the title/escrow capabilities contained within client offices and apply them to the software to bring out the greatest utility in both. Streamline Consulting has team members and resources that focus on documents, reporting, system setup, project management solutions, data conversions, remote or on-site training and implementations, as needed. We function as the main software administrator for many of our clients, by working hand in hand with the client and applying workflow goals and management parameters to customize the software to meet your needs. Communication is not limited to just management. By sitting with client staff, we draw out the reality about how they actually spend their time, what applications they are using, how they use the production software and also work around inefficiencies.

This full bodied engagement is not necessary for everyone. Streamline is also equipped to work with clients on individual projects on an as needed basis. In addition to these professional capabilities, Streamline team members genuinely enjoy taking part in adding value to the client organization which is why we consider ourselves to be your Value Added Partner. We believe every company deserves the opportunity to shine regardless of its size and that in order to be successful, you must empower those around you to be the same. Streamline prides itself on providing innovative solutions, alternatives and opportunities for real estate title insurance companies nationally.

ALTA Best Practice #5

Alta Best Practice #5 deals with Policy Production. It says:

Keep up to date procedures regarding title policy production, delivery, reporting and premium remittance.

The reason for this is to Eestablish and keep up to date procedures for the production, delivery, reporting and remittance of title insurance policies which will allow title companies to meet all legal and contractural obligations.

Steps for achieving compliance with Best practice #5

1. All title insurance policies are issued and delivered to clients in a timely manner, within 30 days of the date of settlement, in order to meet state, regulatory and contractual obligations.

2. Title insurance policies are ALWAYS reported and remitted to an underwriter in a timely fashion, in order to satisfy state, regulatory and contractual obligations.

3. You must report and remit policies to an underwriter, with copies, the last day of the month after the settlement of an insured transaction.

Learntitle has collaborated with Streamline Consulting to develope an overview of all the Best Practices. We expect that course to be available soon for continuing education credit.

ALTA Best Practice #4 Settlement Processes

ALTA defines the settlement process as:

The process of completing a real estate transaction in accordance with written instructions during which deeds, mortgages, leases and other required instruments are executed and delivered, an accounting between the parties is made, the funds are disbursed and the correct documents are recorded with the appropriate entities.

ALTA Best Practice #4 states:

Adopt standard real estate settlement procedures and policies that help ensure compliance with Federal and State Consumer financial laws as applicable to the settlement process.

The reasoning behind it is:

Creating policies and trainings that are effective and appropriate for employees, helps the company stay up to date with state, federal and contractual obligations governing the settlement.

Agencies have procedures in place and training takes place on an ongoing basis.  In order to be compliant, those informal trainings need to be written down.  If you are ever audited, you need to be able to point to a document that says “This is what we do” and “we did it on these dates”

Learntitle has a course pending that will explain all of the ALTA Best Practices.  As soon as NJDOBI approves it, we’ll let you know.