(1) An escrow agent, officer or
employee of any escrow agent, or person who has a financial
interest in an escrow agent shall not, directly or indirectly,
give any fee, kickback, payment, or other thing of value to any
person as an inducement, reward for placing business, referring
business, or causing title insurance business to be given to a
title insurance agent in which the escrow agent or person having
a financial interest in the escrow agent also has a financial
interest.
(2) An escrow agent or person who has a financial interest
in an escrow agent shall not either solicit or accept, or both,
anything of value from: A title insurance company, a title
insurance agent, or the employees or representatives of a title
insurance company or title insurance agent, that a title
insurance company or title insurance agent is not permitted by
law or rule to give to the escrow agent or person who has a
financial interest in the escrow agent.
(3) An escrow agent or person who has a financial interest
in an escrow agent shall not prevent or deter a title insurance
company, title insurance agent, or their employees or
representatives from delivering to an escrow agent or its
employees, independent contractors, and clients printed
promotional material concerning only title insurance services as
long as:
(a) The material is business appropriate and is not
misleading or false;
(b) The material does not malign the escrow agent, its
employees, independent contractors, or affiliates;
(c) The delivery of the materials is limited to those areas
of the escrow agent's physical office reserved for unrestricted
public access; and
(d) The conduct of the employees or representatives are
appropriate for a business setting and do not threaten the safety
or health of anyone in the escrow agent's office.
(4) An escrow agent shall not require a consumer, as a
condition of providing real estate settlement services, to obtain
title insurance from a title insurance agent in which the escrow
agent has a financial interest.
[2008 c 110 § 11.]
NOTES:
Severability -- 2008 c 110: See RCW 48.29.900.