Company DescriptionInvestors Title Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the issuance of residential and commercial title insurance for residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial properties. The company underwrites land title insurance for owners and mortgagees as a primary insurer; and assumes the reinsurance of title insurance risks from other title insurance companies. It also provides services in connection with tax-deferred exchanges of like-kind property; acts as a qualified intermediary in tax-deferred exchanges of property; coordinates the exchange aspects of the real estate transaction, such as drafting standard exchange documents, holding the exchange funds between the sale of the old property and the purchase of the new property, and accepting the formal identification of the replacement property. In addition, it serves as an exchange accommodation titleholder for accomplishing reverse exchanges when the taxpayers decide to acquire replacement property before selling the relinquished property. Further, the company offers investment management and trust services to individuals, companies, banks, and trusts; and consulting and management services to clients to start and operate a title insurance agency. It issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices, as well as through independent issuing agents in 24 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the eastern half of the United States. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
How the Company Makes MoneyITIC primarily makes money by underwriting and issuing title insurance in connection with real estate transactions. The core revenue stream is title insurance premiums (and related policy charges) collected when buyers, lenders, or property owners purchase coverage at closing; these premiums are earned subject to policy terms and the company’s obligations to pay covered claims. In addition to underwriting income, ITIC can generate revenue from fees associated with real estate closing activities performed by its owned or affiliated operations (e.g., title search, title examination, and settlement/escrow or closing services) where permitted and applicable. The company’s profitability is influenced by (a) transaction volume in residential and commercial real estate markets, which drives policy and closing activity; (b) its claims experience and loss adjustment expenses, since title insurers retain risk for defects in title; (c) agency and distribution economics, because a portion of premiums is paid out as commissions or remittances to independent title agents and other distribution partners; and (d) investment income on the float—funds held from premiums and other balances prior to being paid out for claims and operating needs—typically invested in accordance with insurance regulatory requirements. Material revenue-driving partnerships/factors include its relationships with independent title agents and real estate industry participants (lenders, real estate professionals, attorneys, and builders) who refer or facilitate transactions; specific partnership terms and counterparties are null.