What's going on at The Fund in response to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Fund and Old Republic Title will continue to support our business and our business partners.

Dear Members,

This message is certainly very different from my regular blog posting!  But it is important that we let you know what is going on at The Fund in response to growing concerns about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). During this period, The Fund and Old Republic Title will continue to support our business and our business partners.  Most importantly, we are taking appropriate measures to protect the health and welfare of our employees, our Members and our Members' customers.

I want to address three topics in this message:

  1. Title information production
  2. Clerks offices/gap coverage
  3. Meetings and travel

Title information: This is an easy message: title information production is an essential part of our business.  We are open for business and processing your orders.

Clerks' offices. As of the date/time of this message, NO CLERKS OFFICES HAVE CLOSED IN FLORIDA (I am aware of one clerk's annex that is now closed.)  A team here in Florida is working on a plan to communicate with the Florida Supreme Court about the necessity of keeping recording offices open and functioning (this may……and I repeat, may, be limited to e-recording capability.)  The recent Administrative Order issued by the Florida Supreme Court did not address the official records offices but has created concern and confusion over this issue.

Here's the important part of this message:  In the event of a recording office closing, Old Republic Title will continue to insure the gap created by a temporary inability to record.  So when an ORT commitment is appropriately issued by an authorized Old Republic Title agent, our policy and CPL protections will remain in force as if the transaction was properly recorded on the date of disbursement.  All recordings must be accomplished as soon as the recording office re-opens.  As this situation evolves, we may have to modify parameters or guidelines.  We will not do this without prior notice to you.  We stand ready to assist with the underwriting of any transaction about which you have questions.

Meetings and other interactions between Fund staff and Members.  Effective immediately, we have eliminated all non-essential work travel, and cancelled all seminars, meetings and events for employees and Members through the end of April, 2020.  This includes sales visits, lunches and in-person audits.  For those of you with meetings or events scheduled with your offices, you will likely receive a separate message from your member account advisor or underwriting/legal ed attorney.  What about Assembly?  Stay tuned.  We will have more information for you soon.

Employee support.  We are also educating all of our employees about COVID-19 and reminding them to follow simple, but precautionary steps such as frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizer and using wipes to keep their work areas clean.

In summary:

  • We are open for business.
  • We cannot visit or interact with you face to face……for awhile.
  • We are monitoring the recording office situation closely and will stay in communication with you.  But the gap is covered.  Work with underwriting if you have particular concerns.
  • We are taking appropriate measures to keep Fund employees safe and healthy.

These are tough times but we are tough people and will get through this!  Please let me know if you have any questions at all. 


 
 

Melissa Jay Murphy
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
General Counsel and Secretary

03/16/2020 15:34 PM