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Tips and Reminders to Support Your Title Business and Real Estate Practice - August 30, 2023

Peter J. Birnbaum photoDear Agents,

Let's go! It's our final communication before our exciting changes take effect

September 1, 2023 - Rebrand: ATG officially becomes Advocus National Title Insurance Company.

New Name, Same Values, Same Team: Our new name allows us to expand into other U.S. markets. We will continue to serve you and support your title business and real estate practice as we always have.

Our team of title and closing professionals, improved systems, and new solutions on the horizon are all great news for agents. Review the information below, including several downloadable documents for your use. Follow links to previous Agent Support Updates for more information and detail.


ATG Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund Inc. Logo

"New name, same values, one company. We will always prioritize high-quality personalized service to you and your clients."


WEBSITE 

Bridge Site / Legacy Site | Our current site will point to a bridge website advocus.com on 9/1/23. Explore the new site! It will contain new content and links to existing content.

Peter J. Birnbaum photo

 

  • Top of new site has a blue bar.
  • From there, click Transaction Tools to access Wire Instructions, Prior Policy Look-up, and other familiar tools
  • Login as you normally would
  • Over time, we will migrate more content and functionality to the new site!

Wire Instructions | As always, direct customers to our website wire instructions. There are no changes to account numbers, but transactions scheduled on or after 9/1/23 will be through the new Advocus name.


PREVIOUS ATG AGENT UPDATES

Subject

Date Sent

Link

Implementing New Forms in RamQuest 8/23/23 Read Now
Discontinuing Serialized Policy Jackets 8/23/23 Read Now
Implementing New Forms in SoftPro 8/22/23 Read Now
Implementing New Forms in REsource 8/21/23 Read Now
More Details on Supporting Your Title Business and Real Estate Practice 8/17/23 Read Now
Building the Future Together 8/1/23 Read Now

 

HOW AGENTS CAN GET READY (from Previous Agent Support Updates)

Transaction and Policy Forms | Regarding title commitments, policies, closing statements, closing protection letters, wire instructions, and all documentation relating to transactions:

Files opened on or after September 1, 2023 - Will reference our new name, Advocus National Title Insurance Company (Advocus), in all documentation. Agents will issue Advocus commitments and policies, packages will include Advocus closing documents.

Files opened prior to September 1, 2023, but closing after September 1, 2023 - Will reference Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG) in documentation relating to the transaction but will be insured by Advocus (formerly ATG) because policies will be issued after 9/1/23. The following endorsements will be available at that time:

Files opened and closed before September 1, 2023 with ATG forms: Issue ATG policies and endorsements as you are doing now. You do not need to issue Change of Name Endorsements with ATG policies if the date of policy is prior to 9/1/23.

Forms in Title Production Software | See the table above for links to information about implementing updated forms in REsource, RamQuest, and SoftPro and a notice about hard-copy policy jackets.

  • For agents who use other title production systems, our rebranded forms will be available on our website in the usual location (https://www.atgf.com/tools-publications/forms) after 9/1/23.
  • While we are formally implementing Advocus forms starting 9/1/23, we understand our traditional agents will need additional time to implement Advocus forms in their title production systems.
  • Short implementation delays are expected in any conversion process. Traditional agents may continue to use ATG commitment and policy forms during this transition period, as long as the applicable Change of Name Endorsements (see above, available on our website starting 9/1/23) are issued with the ATG forms.

Change of Name Notice Letters and Addendum | Use the links below to download our Change of Name documents. Use them to send to lenders and customers who have questions about our name change:

Starting 9/1/23, these resources will be available in the Forms Library on our website. If there are questions sooner than 9/1/23, contact the Legal Department at legal@atgf.com.

Note: The Change of Name Endorsements are not approved for use in Florida or Texas. In those states, continue to issue ATG policies along with a cover letter explaining the name change for policies issued after 9/1/23.

Escrow Accounts | You are not required to use our name on your escrow account, but if you do, please add to the account, Agent of Advocus National Title Insurance Company, for transactions on or after 9/1/23. 

As recommended by ALTA Best Practices, the following should match: underwriter name on DFI registration, how you issue policies, your checks, and your listing with your E&O coverage. Consistent information will also help ensure successful lender-vetting. 

Brochures and Flyers | Do you use our informative brochures and flyers to help explain the buying/selling process and title insurance to clients? Look for Advocus downloads on our website just after 9/1/23. 

Agent of... Window Static for Display | We will send a new Advocus version in September or October! 

Questions? If you have transaction-related questions about our name change, please feel free to contact the Legal Department at legal@atgf.com (use @advocustitle.com after 9/1/23) or 800.252.0402. We welcome your feedback on how we can continue to make your experience with us one that serves you and your clients well into the future.

We look forward to continuing our long and fulfilling relationship with all of you as we transition into this new and exciting phase.

Peter Birnbaum 
President and Chief Executive Officer 
Email

 

TITLE AND CLOSING SERVICES 

Welcome Carol King, VP - Title! Carol comes to us with a lot of experience and is ready to serve you, along with our Title Services team, led by Mindy Ward. All are ready to support your orders whether you need a title commitment, abstract, or letter report:

Title Orders: orders@atgf.com
Final Policy Requests: policyrequests@atgf.com

After September 1, 2023: Email addresses switch to @advocustitle.com domain. All @atgf.com email addresses will forward.

Heidi Minyen and the Closing Services team will continue to provide the same great service to meet and exceed your closing and escrow needs. See contact information below, our team is ready to assist!

 

Name

Services

Contact Info

Heidi Minyen VP - Closing 737.356.3332  Email
NEW: Carol King VP - Title 773.516.6382  Email
Dawn Efflandt SVP - Operations 312.752.1235  Email

 

 

About the Rebrand

New name, same values: Advocus honors our past, embraces the future, and allows us to expand into other U.S. markets with the same values that have driven our Midwest success.

Get the story behind the name in our short video with a snappy tune — check it out! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Last update: 8.30.23]