First American Title Insurance Co. and Pacific Northwest Title Co.

Several Washington homeowners have filed a lawsuit and are seeking class action status against seven title insurance companies claiming that the insurers paid illegal inducements to get business referrals that drove up the cost of their title insurance policies. The title insurance company defendants are First American Title Insurance Co., Pacific Northwest Title Co., Chicago Title Insurance Co., Transnation Title Insurance Co., Commonwealth Land Title Co., Ticor Title Co., and Fidelity National Title Co. The amended complaint was filed in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle after the Washington State Insurance Commissioner issued a report saying the title companies regularly exceeded a $25 a year legal cap on spending to entice others to steer business their way. The title insurers allegedly spent money on food and drinks, tickets to sporting events and trips for golf, skiing and shopping provided to realtors, builders, loan officers and other real estate middlemen as inducements. Anyone who purchased title insurance in Washington State from these companies or any other title insurance company may have been wronged and should submit their case.