Please be aware that First Title have conducted a review of their residential policy assumptions and pricing and have introduced a number of changes (detailed below) which came into effect on 28th November 2016.
NOTE: As such, any draft orders in the system have been invalidated as of the 28th November 2016 and will need to be reordered.
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
Overhaul of pricing matrixes
They have reduced their premium rates on a significant number of their Known Risk policies and changed the way by which the premium is calculated. This approach is based upon the actual level of indemnity required and helps to ensure that they are offering the best available value for your client as well as treating your customers fairly.
Enhanced Assumptions
They have reviewed and revised a number of their known risk assumptions to enable more policies to be issued online and benefit from lower premiums and a quicker turnaround time.
Residential Known Risk Policies
• Absent Landlord – One policy now covers both flats and houses and they are removing the requirement to confirm that the obligations for repair maintenance and insurance are currently being performed without issue.
• Adverse Possession – Cover has been extended to all buildings on the land and there is no requirement to confirm that that land is not common land or village green.
• Building Over Sewer – Cover extended to include structures built more than 6 months ago and they have removed the requirement to confirm that there has been no contact with the Local Authority and that the owners are not aware of any works to be carried out to the sewer.
• Building Regulations – They have amended the contact assumptions to only refer to contact within the last three months and have extended the cover to include roof works, solar panels, patios, dropped kerbs and driveways. They have also removed the requirement for loft and garage conversions to be completed at least 12 months ago and have reduced the time period for conversion to flats/change of use from 4 years to 3.
• Defective Lease – Cover has been extended to rights of protection.
• Easement – Vehicular/Pedestrian and Services – The requirement for rights to be exercised for 12 months has been reduced to 6 months.
• Restrictive Covenant – Time limits on alterations and additions have been removed.
• Planning Permission – Time limits on works has been reduced from 12 months to 6 months and time limit on conversion to flats/change of use reduced from 4 years to 3 years.
• Rent Charge – They have reduced the time period for previous demands from 3 years to 12 months and removed the assumption regarding the value of the rent charge.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Helpdesk on 0844 249 9200 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk
