Md. Code Ann., Ins. § 22-103
Notice to buyer about title insurance
Effective Oct 1, 2014Added as Insurance § 22-102 by Acts 1996, c. 11, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 620, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2006. Renumbered as Insurance § 22-103 by Acts 2014, c. 318, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 319, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014. Amended by Acts 2014, c. 318, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 319, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.State of Maryland
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, when, in connection with a real estate transaction that involves a purchase money mortgage or deed of trust on land in the State, a title insurer accepts a premium for a policy that insures the title to the property or the title insurer, its agent, or employee accepts a premium for mortgagee title insurance, the person first accepting the premium:
- (1) shall insert the name of each insured in the title insurance commitment for the title insurance; and
(2) immediately on receipt of the premium, shall deliver to the buyer or agent or attorney of the buyer written notice:
- (i) of the name of each insured under the policy;
- (ii) of the face amount of the policy;
- (iii) of the buyer's right and opportunity to obtain simultaneous title insurance in the buyer's favor;
- (iv) of the additional premium that will be required for purchase of simultaneous title insurance in the buyer's favor;
- (v) that the buyer's title insurance will be subject only to the contingencies and conditions contained in the title insurance commitment and policy;
- (vi) of the buyer's right to review the title insurance commitment or a sample of the form of policy in which the contingencies and conditions will be inserted;
- (vii) that contains a clear statement of the contingencies that must be satisfied to make the buyer's policy effective, if the buyer's policy is not effective on payment of the premium; and
(viii) that the title insurance commitment or sample of the form of policy into which the contingencies and conditions for insuring will be inserted:
- 1. does constitute a statement of the terms and conditions on which the title insurer is willing to issue its policy of title insurance if the title insurer accepts a premium for the policy;
- 2. is not a representation as to the state of title; and
- 3. does not constitute an abstract of title.
- (b) Before disbursing any funds, the person required to give notice under subsection (a) of this section shall obtain from the buyer, at the time the person delivers the notice, a statement in writing that the buyer has received the notice described in subsection (a) of this section and that the buyer wants or does not want owner's title insurance.
(c)
- (1) The person required to give notice under subsection (a) of this section shall retain the original signed statement of receipt required by subsection (b) of this section and a copy of the notice required by subsection (a) of this section for 3 years.
- (2) The statement of receipt and notice shall be available for inspection by the Commissioner on request.
(d) This section does not apply to a real estate transaction involving a mortgage or deed of trust securing an extension of credit made:
- (1) solely to acquire an interest in or to carry on a business or commercial enterprise; or
- (2) to any business or commercial organization.
Added as Insurance § 22-102 by Acts 1996, c. 11, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 620, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2006. Renumbered as Insurance § 22-103 by Acts 2014, c. 318, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 319, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014. Amended by Acts 2014, c. 318, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 319, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2014.
Formerly Art. 48A, § 486-1.