Title Agents & Attorneys  Home Buyers & Sellers Lenders, Builders, Real Estate Agents & Commercial

Southern Title Insurance Corporation is a regional underwriter doing business in 20 states and the District of Columbia. We insure the interests of lenders and homeowners involved in real estate transactions.  In protecting these interests, Southern Title, with its network of agents evaluates the title risk involved with a particular parcel of real estate.  A loan may or may not be granted depending on the results of a title search. Title may not be transferred due to a finding in the chain of title.  The risks are many, yet Southern Title is there to help with the transaction.   We distribute title insurance primarily through our agencies.  We are an agency-driven company, therefore, we spend our resources making the independent agent successful. Our motto is not to compete with our business partners. We try to use the dollars paid to us by our agencies in ways that will support our agents. Our agents agree that they would rather have an underwriter that works for them than one who competes against them.   Southern Title has the expertise to be your business partner of choice.  From 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges to residential and commercial transactions, Southern Title will provide the personal service that you and your company deserve.    Southern Title is proud to be part of the Westfield Group, a $2 billion  property and casualty insurance company, one of the top property and casualty companies in the United States.

Current Events June 2009 6/11/09 - ALPS Corporation announced today that its whollyowned insurance company, Attorneys Liability Protection Society, Inc., a Risk Retention Group (ALPS RRG), has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire Southern Title Insurance Corporation (“Southern Title”). Southern Title is a Richmond, Virginia-based title insurance underwriter primarily serving the southeastern United States. ALPS RRG is an attorney-owned and operated company providing professional liability insurance to attorneys in 24 states and 3 U.S. Territories. The transaction is expected to close in early July and is subject to customary closing requirements and conditions, including regulatory approval by the Virginia Department of Insurance. “The acquisition of Southern Title squarely aligns with ALPS strategic vision,” said Robert W. Minto, Jr., President and CEO of ALPS. “Southern Title is well-respected in the title insurance industry, prioritizes customer service above all else and has significant opportunity for growth as the housing market rebounds. We are thrilled about the opportunities before us, and the ability to continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers and our shareholders.” The addition of a title insurance offering by ALPS is particularly valuable in states where its current insured attorneys perform title closing services, such as Virginia, South Carolina and West Virginia. Unique opportunities will exist for risk management activities between the two companies, and each company will continue to work to build market share in low-risk, rural areas. Eugene McCullough, President of Southern Title stated “We are excited about the synergistic possibilities. Although ALPS does business in 24 states and Territories, and Southern Title is licensed in 17 states, only a three state geographic overlap exists, giving each of us an opportunity to grow as we offer an enhanced combination of services to each company’s core clientele.” McCullough continued, “ALPS’ focus on providing superior protection and continuing legal education to its insureds, along with a wide range of financial and risk management services, complements Southern’s singular focus on providing superior service to independent title agents.” About ALPS Corporation and ALPS RRG For over two decades, ALPS has partnered with lawyers, law firms, bar associations and bar foundations to provide services and resources that further the advancement of the legal profession. Today, ALPS Corporation’s total assets exceed $120 million. ALPS RRG is a subsidiary of ALPS Corporation specializing in lawyers’ professional liability insurance. In 2008, ALPS RRG generated $37 million in gross written premium, and currently enjoys a surplus of $26 million. ALPS RRG is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Other ALPS Corporation subsidiaries include Peak Investment Management, ALPS Foundation Services, ALPS Healthcare Solutions and ALPS Risk & Insurance Services. ALPS maintains offices in Missoula, Montana and Richmond, Virginia. For more information about ALPS, please visit www.alpsnet.com. About Southern Title Insurance Corporation Southern Title Insurance Corporation is an 84 year old regional title insurance underwriter and currently provides services to nearly 500 independent title insurance agents. In 2008, Southern Title generated $43 million in gross revenues and had net admitted assets of over $25 million. Demotech, an independent insurance rating service, recently renewed Southern Title’s A Prime (Unsurpassed) Financial Stability Rating. Southern Title maintains Virginia offices in Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Virginia Beach and Winchester, as well as in Knoxville, Tennessee. For more information about Southern Title, please visit www.southerntitle.com. 6/1/09 - CRESPA Legislation Enacted by the 2009 Virginia General Assembly   During the 2009 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly made changes to the Consumer Real Estate Settlement Protection Act’s (“CRESPA”) registration requirements with the pass of Senate Bill http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?091+ful+SB938.  Under current law, title insurance agents and the title companies are required to register with the Virginia State Bar before acting as settlement agents in Virginia.  However, beginning on July 1, 2009, title insurance agents and companies will no longer register or renew with the Bar, but will instead be required to register and renew with the Bureau of Insurance.   As part of this legislative change, the Bureau is implementing a biennial renewal process that will require all title insurance agents and companies to renew with the Bureau on or before June 30th of each even year beginning in 2010.  The biennial renewal registration requirement applies regardless of when the initial registration occurs during the June 30th  Beginning in 2010, renewal notices will be mailed by April 1st, and the renewal registration must be filled with the Bureau on or before June 30th.  The fee for renewal is $35.  Failure to renew will result in the termination of the title settlement registration. biennial registration dates.             Additionally, Senate Bill 938 amended 6.1-2.27 of the Code of Virginia to allow the appropriate licensing authority to administratively terminate the registration o fany title settlement agent or company for failing ot hold a license, feailing to renew its registration, or failing to comply with the finacial responsibility requirements set forth in 6.1-2.21.   Questions related to this should be directed to:   CRESPA Investigations Section Virginia Bureau of Insurance PO Box 1157 Richmond, VA 23218 (804) 371-9465 4/1/09 - Southern Title is eliminating the use of hard copy policy jackets effective April 1, 2009.  Policy jackets will be created through our online policy production system.  Any agent who still has hard copy jackets should send them in to their local Southern Title branch.  Additionally, if you should need training on the online policy production system, please contact your local branch manager.  Thank you. 2/1/09 - Effective February 1, 2009, Southern Title's insurance premium rates have been amended for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  For a PDF of the rates, please login and visit our "Resource Library".  Article #329 is a downloadable document to use until we have our new rates printed and distributed.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call your local Southern Title Branch Manager.  Thank you.