Wild West Title Insurance in DC

According to the Washington Business Journal the D.C. Council is considering legislation that would require title insurance agents to be licensed. The legislation would also require licensed agents to take part in continuing education for the title industry. This comes as a bit of surprise to me.

Unlicensed Title Insurance Agents????!!!!!

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I am actually fairly surprised that D.C. does not currently require some sort of licensing for professionals in the title industry. I mean they only a very important function in the biggest purchase of most peoples lives. It seems that having competent and licensed professionals in this position would be a no brainer. I suppose it makes sense that D.C. is just thinking about this now, I really don't understand the majority of things that go on there. I suppose I could look at this as being better late than never.

Licensed and Education Title Insurance Agents are a Good Thing

Since D.C. legislators are actually considering this I will give them a pass but I still can't believe this is something they are just now considering. This should have been done a long time ago. Having committed and licensed agents who are dedicated to proper title work is good for everyone. From consumers to other real estate professionals. Unlicensed agents just doing their own thing can lead to far too much fraud and no real accountability. I am glad D.C. legislators are finally taking this up but they should not get a complete pass for waiting until now to do it.