$3.79M D.C. Title Insurance Lawsuit Settlement, Who Is Eligible and How to File a Claim

The D.C. Office of the Attorney General reached a combined $3,790,000 settlement with five title insurance companies — Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements, Union Settlements, and Universal Title — over allegations that they paid illegal kickbacks to real estate agents in exchange for steering homebuyers to their services. District residents who used these real estate agents and title companies during the relevant time period are eligible to receive a payment of $500. The claim deadline is May 5, 2026, and eligible consumers can file at DCOAGTitleInsuranceRestitution.com.

Quick Facts

Current Status and What Happens Next

Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced that Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements, and Union Settlements will pay a combined $3,290,000 after an investigation by the Office of the Attorney General revealed the widespread use of illegal kickback schemes in the title insurance market. A subsequent investigation added Universal Title for an additional $500,000, bringing the total to $3,790,000.

Here is where the case stands right now:

• Settlement status: Final — no further court approval required
• Claim period: Open now through May 5, 2026
• Consumer payment: $500 per eligible claimant
• Payment timing: After claims are reviewed and processed by Analytics Consulting LLC

If you do nothing, you will receive no payment. There is no opt-out process required — this is an AG enforcement action, not a traditional class action, and participation is entirely voluntary.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The OAG’s investigations found that Allied, KVS, Modern, and Union violated District law by providing real estate agents exclusive, lucrative, and discounted investment opportunities either in the companies themselves or in shell entities they created to induce the real estate agents to make business referrals that generated increased revenues for the companies. In return for the referrals, the agents received kickbacks in the form of a split of the profits.

The alleged scheme took multiple forms. In addition to profits from referrals, Allied compensated real estate agents for participating in the scheme by organizing and hosting multiple parties on yachts in the Chesapeake Bay.

These conflict of interest-plagued, anticompetitive arrangements limited District homebuyers’ ability to shop for the best price and service when purchasing title insurance and escrow services and hurt law-abiding competitors in the title insurance industry, in violation of the District’s Consumer Protection Procedures Act (CPPA).

All of the firms denied any wrongdoing in their settlement agreements. The charges were brought under D.C. law, not federal law. As the defendants’ attorneys noted, the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) expressly permits certain affiliated business arrangements — the D.C. AG pursued this action under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act, which imposes stricter standards.

Who Could Be Included

The title companies involved are: Alliance Title Services, Clear Title Solutions, Eversure Title, Title Pro Group, and Washington Title Team (all operating under KVS Title); Allied Title & Escrow (through Allied Title, Allied Title Services, Allied Title Agency, Allied Title Closings, Allied Title Metro, Allied Title Network, and Allied Title Organization); Modern Settlements; Union Settlements; and Universal Title (through UTCP Collective and Fundamental Title).

You may be eligible if you purchased title insurance or escrow services in Washington, D.C., through any of the above companies or their operating names, during the relevant period covered by the AG’s investigation.

If you didn’t receive a Claim Number and PIN, you can still file a claim using your email address to log in, but you will have to upload documentation to support your claim.

Settlement Details

Consumer Payment

District residents who used these real estate agents and title companies during the relevant time period are eligible to receive a payment of $500. Each eligible consumer who files a valid claim receives the same flat payment amount.

How to File a Claim

Online (preferred): To claim your payment of $500, click the link at DCOAGTitleInsuranceRestitution.com and log in using your Claim Number and PIN. This is a secure website, and you must use the Claim Number and PIN you received by mail or email in order to complete the claims process. Please select your preferred payment method and provide your IRS W-9 information using the instructions on the website.

Mail claims to: DC OAG Title Insurance Restitution c/o Analytics Consulting LLC PO Box 2002 Chanhassen, MN 55317-2002

Administrator contact:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 833-709-5389
• D.C. AG Consumer Hotline: (202) 442-9828
• D.C. AG Email: [email protected]

Important notes on payment: Before the OAG authorizes any payments to an eligible claimant, the D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer shall determine whether the claimant owes any amount to the District and will deduct the amount owed from the award to the claimant. If you owe a tax or child support debt to the District, your refund claim may be withheld.

Under D.C. law, OAG is required to obtain claimant W-9 information, including social security numbers, to complete the legally required financial screens. The official settlement website confirms this process is not a scam — you can verify directly with the D.C. OAG at (202) 442-9828.

Prior Cases and Industry Context

This settlement is part of a broader D.C. AG enforcement effort focused on the title insurance industry. OAG is continuing to investigate the issue of kickbacks across the title insurance industry to protect consumers, provide a level playing field for companies that follow the law, and ensure a competitive marketplace.

At the federal level, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) also prohibits unearned kickbacks and referral fees in real estate settlement services. While federal law allows for certain affiliated business arrangements that meet specific requirements, D.C. law is more stringent and does not have such an exception. Companies operating in the District should note that local consumer protection law applies independently of federal RESPA standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a class action lawsuit?

 No. This is an enforcement action brought directly by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act — not a private class action. The AG’s office negotiated the settlements on behalf of D.C. consumers, and eligible residents may file claims to receive restitution.

Has the settlement been finalized? 

Yes. The D.C. AG finalized settlements with the five title companies in two rounds — four companies in August 2024 and Universal Title in October 2024. The claim period is now open, and no further court approval is needed.

Who may be eligible to file a claim? 

D.C. homebuyers who purchased title insurance or escrow services through any of the named title companies — or their operating subsidiaries — during the relevant investigation period may be eligible to receive a $500 payment.

Is there a claim form available? 

Yes. Eligible consumers can file a claim online at DCOAGTitleInsuranceRestitution.com using a Claim Number and PIN received by mail or email. If you did not receive a notice, you can still file using your email address and supporting documentation.

What is the official settlement website? 

The official site is DCOAGTitleInsuranceRestitution.com, administered by Analytics Consulting LLC on behalf of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. You can verify its legitimacy by calling the D.C. OAG Consumer Hotline at (202) 442-9828.

What is the deadline to file a claim?

 You must claim your refund by May 5, 2026. Missing this deadline means forfeiting your right to receive a payment.

Why do I need to provide a Social Security number?

 Under D.C. law, OAG is required to obtain claimant W-9 information, including social security numbers, to complete legally required financial screens. This requirement exists because the D.C. Office of the Chief Financial Officer must check whether you owe any outstanding debts to the District before releasing funds.

What did the title companies do wrong? 

The D.C. AG alleged that the companies offered real estate agents financial incentives — including profit-sharing in shell companies and discounted ownership stakes — in exchange for steering their homebuying clients to specific title insurance providers, limiting consumer choice and violating D.C. consumer protection law. All companies denied wrongdoing as part of their settlements.

Additional Context

Title insurance is required by most lenders when a homebuyer finances a property. Required by most lenders for home loans, title insurance protects a lender and a homebuyer from defects in a title to property, such as a previous owner’s debts. Real estate agents commonly suggest title insurance companies to their clients.

When agents have a financial interest in the company they recommend, consumers may not receive independent, unbiased guidance on which provider offers the best price or service. If you believe you used one of the named title companies in a D.C. real estate transaction, check your closing documents for the title company’s name and visit DCOAGTitleInsuranceRestitution.com to verify your eligibility before the May 5, 2026 deadline.

Last Updated: March 3, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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