Why is Stewart Title the Preferred Title Insurer for the Legal Community?

Put simply, because we never lose sight of what has made us a trusted partner for over 25 years. Our commitment to excellent customer service and deep expertise helps firms close deals with confidence and on time - bringing peace of mind to buyers, owners and lenders. This is the foundation of our business.

Close Confidently with Unmatched Support

Residential & Commercial Title Insurance Coverage

We mitigate risk.

Our innovative owner and lender policies are regionally tailored for evolving markets and for all types of properties.

Underwriting Expertise

We are in this together.

Our knowledgeable, responsive team works closely with our clients to develop customized solutions for complex problems.

Exceptional Service

We earn our relationship with you.

Our devoted local contacts provide insightful, personalized answers and support to help facilitate your closings.

Innovative Technology Tools

We make closings efficient while supporting the legal community.

Our tools and integrations provide you with flexible options, help you mitigate risk and improve your workflow.

Financial Strength

We are dependable.

With more than a century of experience, Stewart Title is one of the leading title insurers in the world. Policies are backed by real financial strength, with one of the largest policyholders’ surpluses in the industry and excellent ratings.

Respecting Policyholders

We have a longstanding and outstanding claims paying record.

Our policyholders can count on us to resolve claims in a professional manner. Our experience, combined with a practical, results-oriented approach, ensures that we deal with each claim in a fair and timely manner.

Committed to Legal Professionals

We view lawyers and notaries as the quarterbacks of real estate transactions.

Our unwavering support of the legal community affirms your vital role in real estate transactions.

Education Programs

We understand your challenges and put our knowledge to work for you.

Our industry experts cover timely, hot topics for real estate practitioners so you can stay current.

Integrity in All Our Dealings

We are a trustworthy partner.

We value professionalism, honesty and transparency in all that we do. And we are very proud of this.

Our History of Solidarity with the Legal Community Speaks for Itself

For over 25 years, we have never deviated from the mission of ensuring that lawyers and notaries across Canada remain central to the real estate transaction. Have a look at our track record.

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2022

Celebrating 25 Years

Stewart acquires a majority stake in Treefort Technologies Inc., a Canadian-based company that provides a completely digital process for verifying an individual's identity, as well as other tools designed to assist legal professionals meet and sign documents with verified individuals.

Stewart celebrates 25 years operating in Canada. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Canadian legal professionals over the years!

2021

Extended Commercial Protection

Stewart Title launches two new optional commercial endorsements to provide added peace of mind to insureds: Our Extended Protection Endorsement for commercial transactions up to $5 Million and our Post Date of Policy Commercial Lender Endorsement for commercial institutional lenders.

Stewart offers technology integrations with new conveyancing partners to meet the increasing needs of legal professionals.

Our online education programs experience record breaking participation and support, becoming a leading option for the legal community.

2020

Support During Extraordinary Times

Stewart extends its efforts in supporting the legal community by being the first to provide assurance that coverage will not be compromised or invalidated as a result of real estate transactions closing via remote signing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stewart is also the first to offer extended super priority lien coverage to protect residential and commercial lenders for loss arising from covered super priority liens after the insured mortgage has been discharged.

Educational programs expand to cover a broader scope of topics and move online, enabling more legal professionals to learn and obtain Continuing Professional Development credits than ever before.

2019

Recognizing Your Role

Stewart produces a video with local legal associations to educate home purchasers on the value that lawyers and notaries bring to real estate transactions.

A single-risk Commercial Survey-Only policy is introduced as a cost-effective option to address the unique requirements of legal professionals in B.C. (now available in all of Western Canada).

2018

Fraud Prevention

Stewart introduces enhanced measures to provide clients with a streamlined fraud review process to help identify and prevent the occurrence of fraud in real estate transactions. This helps Canadian legal professionals avoid involvement in fraudulent transactions, thereby protecting their reputation and solidifying their position as an integral part of the real estate process.

Also this year, an enhanced Commercial policy package is introduced, automatically including the most requested endorsements to commercial policy orders at no additional cost.

2017

Broad Ordering Options

Stewart launches the Smart Order Form, an online tool designed to streamline the process of ordering commercial policies and an alternative ordering method for residential policies. This form adapts to the specifics of the transaction so only relevant questions are presented.

2016

Expanded Commercial Coverage

Stewart offers an expanded package of standard endorsements in commercial lender policies (up to $50 million) and reduces the number of searches required to order commercial policies by increasing owner and lender policy thresholds for certain required searches.

2015

Added Efficiency

Stewart creates further efficiencies for legal professionals through the integration of three technology platforms: our online ordering application, a third-party mortgage instructing and reporting tool, and an industry-leading conveyancing platform.

2014

Lending a Voice

Stewart expresses concern to the Law Society of Upper Canada about the impact allowing Alternative Business Structures (ABS) would have on residential real estate lawyers. We stress that the public is best served by the individual attention of a real estate lawyer, and that any decision with respect to ABS must ensure that lawyers continue their essential role in real estate transactions.

2013

Simplified Mortgage Instructions

Stewart Title enters into a third-party partnership to create efficiencies in law firms by offering electronic mortgage instructing and reporting.

2011

Advocacy

TIIAC sends a letter to the Minister of Finance requesting a review of Ontario Regulation 69/07 (formerly Reg. 666). In Stewart’s view if Reg. 69/07 is abolished, the role of the real estate lawyer will be further diminished. Stewart Title initiates a movement to dismiss the review of Ontario Reg. 69/07. TIIAC publicly withdraws its request for this review.

2008

Affirmation

A group of title insurance companies form the Title Insurance Industry Association of Canada (TIIAC). Stewart declines to join the organization because we feel our business philosophy (support of the legal community) differs from the TIIAC members’ and the association’s overall objectives.

2007

Closing the Gap

Stewart launches its Commercial Gap-Only Policy to facilitate quicker, secure closings and address the outstanding priority issues surrounding the registration gap in Western Canada.

2005

Integrated Technology

Stewart’s online ordering software is integrated with a leading third-party conveyancing software, creating efficiencies for law firms in Ontario. In the coming years, integrations with other software take place across Canada.

2004

Coverage for Homeowners

Stewart introduces the Existing Homeowner Policy, which protects existing homeowners from losses that arise from many types of title fraud. Legal professionals can now offer title protection to clients that purchased homes prior to title insurance being available in Canada.

2003

Convenience & Education

Stewart Electronic Policy System (STEPS) is launched, enabling legal professionals and their staff to complete policy requirements in-house at their own pace.

Educational seminars are launched, with Lecture Series sessions eligible for Continuing Professional Development credits.

2000

Expansion

Stewart expands its operations across Canada and within the next two years has offices in Calgary, Halifax, Laval and Vancouver. We hire legal professionals as part of our team and are later recognized by a legal trade publication as one of the top employers of lawyers.

1998

EC Program

Stewart introduces the Examining Counsel (EC) Program providing legal professionals with easy access to title insurance products.

1997

A Clear Philosophy

Stewart Title opens its Canadian headquarters in Toronto, providing title insurance while supporting the legal professional’s role in real estate transactions. Unlike some of our competitors, we choose not to offer document preparation services to lenders on refinances and we support Ontario Regulation 666 (currently Reg. 69/07) that mandates:

1. A lawyer must provide a certificate of title.
2. The lawyer must be entitled to practice in Ontario.
3. The lawyer must not be employed by the title insurer.

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1997

A Clear Philosophy

1998

EC Program

Stewart introduces the Examining Counsel (EC) Program providing legal professionals with easy access to title insurance products.

2000

Expansion

2003

Convenience & Education

2004

Coverage for Homeowners

2005

Integrated Technology

2007

Closing the Gap

Stewart launches its Commercial Gap-Only Policy to facilitate quicker, secure closings and address the outstanding priority issues surrounding the registration gap in Western Canada.

2008

Affirmation

2011

Advocacy

2013

Simplified Mortgage Instructions

Stewart Title enters into a third-party partnership to create efficiencies in law firms by offering electronic mortgage instructing and reporting.

2014

Lending a Voice

2015

Added Efficiency

2016

Expanded Commercial Coverage

2017

Broad Ordering Options

2018

Fraud Prevention

2019

Recognizing Your Role

2020

Support During Extraordinary Times

2021

Extended Commercial Protection

2022

Celebrating 25 Years

Our Clients Share Their Thoughts

At Stewart, we’ve always believed in the importance of close, committed relationships with our clients and industry stakeholders. These relationships are the pillars of our business, and we continually work hard to build and strengthen them. We are grateful to the thousands of legal professionals who have chosen us to support them.

We have found Stewart Title's system to be very user-friendly. I do not recall an instance where I was not able to speak directly to an individual when calling with a question or issue. Their staff are very knowledgeable and typically able to reply on the fly. I have found Stewart Title to be fair and evenhanded when dealing with the few claims I have brought forward on behalf of clients.

Jim Davis, Davis Law, Island View, NB

I consider Stewart Title to be a valued partner of our firm. Stewart Title has always been there for us whenever we have had a question concerning a title situation or a client had a claim or potential claim. I appreciate being able to pick up the telephone and connect with a representative whenever there is a problem or a question. I also very much appreciate the support given to lawyers through the Continuing Education program. My experience with Stewart Title has been extremely positive, and I am thankful for the support which they provide to me.

Kenneth Harris, Harris Lawyers LLP, Niagara Falls, ON

In 2002, our law firm started using Stewart Title and we have never looked back since. Stewart Title has been an essential part in our firm's development and growth largely thanks to the people at Stewart.

Harry Hong, Harry's Professional Corporation, Toronto, ON

We truly appreciate the collaborative relationship we have with Stewart Title. We're always impressed with the speed and efficiency of service we receive, even with more difficult issues. We are so happy to have a local representative that is available to help us, train us and guide us through the more unusual issues.

Una Kuzio, Touchstone Law Group LLP, Kelowna, BC

Stewart Title has shown their unwavering support for the real estate lawyer and have continued to stand by their philosophy of keeping lawyers integral to the real estate transaction. This philosophy has been central to the success of Stewart Title and is an important component of every department and everyone that works at Stewart Title.

David Leith, Farber Robillard Leith LLP, Ottawa, ON

Pride in Our Partnership

Hear from Our Executive Team

Being chosen as your title insurer is a highly valued honour. We believe that this reflects our steadfast partnership with legal professionals. Together, we have accomplished a lot, and together we can open doors in the future.

Looking for a Title Insurance Provider? Consider This.

We have always been distinguished by partnership, integrity and trust. These aren’t just words we use to describe who we are but values we have demonstrated over the years by choosing not to compete with you.

We continue to believe that real estate transactions are best handled by legal professionals. Historically, we have met challenges to this through active advocacy and ongoing support and we remain committed to this course in the future. This is what sets us apart in the industry and makes our words more than lip service.

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