Indiana Title Insurance Update: What Stewart Title's June 15, 2026 Changes Mean for REALTORS®, Lenders, Buyers, and Sellers

Posted:  June 11, 2026

The Indiana Department of Insurance has approved updated rates, forms, and endorsements for Stewart Title Guaranty Company, one of the nation's largest title insurance underwriters. These changes become effective June 15, 2026, and apply specifically to Stewart Title policies issued in Indiana.

While many of the core residential and commercial title insurance rates remain unchanged, the filing includes several important clarifications, reduced costs for certain products, revised endorsement pricing, and new coverage options that may affect transactions insured through Stewart Title.

For REALTORS®, mortgage lenders, attorneys, investors, buyers, and sellers, understanding these changes can help avoid surprises at the closing table and ensure the appropriate title insurance coverage is selected for each transaction.

Important Note

The changes discussed in this article apply specifically to Stewart Title Guaranty Company's Indiana rate filing effective June 15, 2026. Other title insurance underwriters operating in Indiana may have different rates, endorsements, forms, and filing schedules.

Kentucky transactions, including those located in Louisville and surrounding communities, are governed by Kentucky regulations and are not affected by this Indiana filing.

According to the latest filing from Stewart Title Guaranty Company, several rate clarifications, endorsement updates, and new coverage options have been approved for use in Indiana beginning June 15, 2026.

The Short Version

Most Indiana homebuyers and sellers will see little to no change in their title insurance costs.

The Stewart Title filing primarily clarifies certain charges, updates endorsement pricing, reduces costs for some foreclosure-related products, and introduces new optional coverages. For the majority of residential transactions, the impact on closing costs should be minimal.

Need a Title Quote or Have Questions About These Changes?

Whether you're a REALTOR®, lender, attorney, investor, buyer, or seller, understanding title insurance costs and coverage is an important part of every real estate transaction.

Order Title Online

https://aristocrattitle.com/order-title

Questions? Contact Aristocrat Title

812.282.8704

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Will Closing Costs Increase?

For most Indiana homebuyers and sellers, the answer is simple: probably not.

The Stewart Title filing does not create a widespread increase in residential title insurance premiums. Instead, it clarifies certain minimum charges, updates endorsement pricing, and introduces new optional coverages.

For example, a buyer purchasing a home in Jeffersonville, New Albany, Clarksville, Sellersburg, Floyds Knobs, Charlestown, Corydon, Scottsburg, Paoli, or elsewhere in Indiana should expect little to no change in standard title insurance costs solely because of these updates.

Most Stewart-insured transactions will continue to be priced under the existing residential rate structure.

Key Residential Changes

The revised Stewart Title filing confirms:

• The minimum premium for an Owner's Reissue Policy is $160.

• The Simultaneous Expanded Coverage Loan Policy with an Owner's Policy is $190.

• Residential simultaneous issue loan policies remain $120 when issued with an owner's policy.

• The Indiana Title Insurance Enforcement Fund Fee (TIEFF) remains $5 per policy.

These updates primarily provide consistency and clarification rather than meaningful cost increases for most buyers and sellers.

Reduced Costs for Certain Foreclosure Transactions

One of the more notable changes benefits lenders, attorneys, investors, and servicers involved in foreclosure-related transactions.

The revised Stewart Title rates for Indiana Mortgage Foreclosure Guarantees and Commitments are:

• Up to $200,000 liability: $150

• $200,001 to $300,000 liability: $200

• $300,001 to $500,000 liability: $250

This reduction may lower costs for certain foreclosure and distressed asset transactions throughout Indiana.

Important Changes for Commercial Real Estate

Commercial brokers, investors, lenders, developers, and attorneys should pay close attention to the endorsement revisions included in the Stewart filing.

The update revises pricing for:

• STG General Endorsements

• STG Date Down Endorsements

• Certain commercial endorsement structures

Because endorsements are often used to insure specific commercial risks, these changes may affect closing costs on commercial acquisitions, refinances, development projects, and investment transactions.

Commercial buyers, investors, and lenders can learn more about commercial title insurance services here:

https://aristocrattitle.com/commercial-title-insurance

Three New ALTA Endorsements Added

The June 2026 Stewart filing introduces three new endorsements designed to address modern real estate risks.

ALTA 49 – Forgery Endorsement (New Owner's Policy)

This endorsement provides additional protection against losses resulting from forgery affecting ownership rights and may be issued with newly issued residential owner's policies.

ALTA 49.1 – Forgery Endorsement (Existing Owner's Policy)

This endorsement allows existing property owners to obtain additional protection against certain forgery-related risks without obtaining a new owner's policy.

ALTA 50 – Residential Solar Endorsement

As residential solar installations continue to grow in popularity, ALTA 50 provides coverage designed to address lender concerns involving solar equipment and related financing arrangements.

These additions reflect the title industry's continued response to evolving risks involving fraud, identity theft, and renewable energy improvements.

Updated ALTA Forms

The filing also updates several commonly used ALTA endorsement forms to the latest approved versions, including:

• ALTA 9

• ALTA 9.7

• ALTA 9.10

• ALTA 36.6

While these revisions may not dramatically affect most residential transactions, commercial lenders, attorneys, title professionals, and developers should ensure they are using the most current forms moving forward.

Why Title Insurance Still Matters

Title insurance remains one of the most important protections in a real estate transaction. Unlike many forms of insurance that protect against future events, title insurance protects property owners and lenders against issues that may already exist but are unknown at the time of closing.

These issues may include:

• Unknown liens

• Errors in public records

• Forged documents

• Undisclosed heirs

• Boundary disputes

• Certain title defects

A single title issue can delay a transaction, create ownership disputes, or result in costly legal expenses.

Buyers and sellers who want a deeper understanding of title insurance can read:

What Is Title Insurance and Why Do You Need It?

https://aristocrattitle.com/news/what-is-title-insurance-and-why-do-you-need-it

Working with an experienced title company helps ensure those risks are identified and addressed before closing.

Who Pays for Title Insurance in Indiana?

One common question from buyers and sellers is whether these changes affect who pays for title insurance.

In Indiana, there is no statewide requirement that dictates who must pay for an owner's title insurance policy. The responsibility is negotiable and is often determined by local custom, market conditions, and the terms of the purchase agreement.

In many Southern Indiana transactions, sellers commonly pay for the owner's title insurance policy, while buyers are often responsible for lender-related title insurance costs associated with financing. However, every transaction is different, and buyers and sellers should review their purchase agreement carefully.

Because the June 15, 2026 changes primarily affect Stewart Title's rates, forms, and endorsements, the filing does not change who pays for title insurance. It simply updates the pricing and coverage structure for certain Stewart Title products issued in Indiana.

What REALTORS® Should Tell Their Clients

For most Indiana buyers and sellers, these Stewart Title changes should not create meaningful increases in closing costs.

Instead, REALTORS® can reassure clients that:

• Standard residential title insurance pricing remains largely unchanged.

• Certain foreclosure-related products are becoming less expensive.

• New fraud-protection endorsements are available.

• Residential solar transactions now have dedicated lender coverage.

• Commercial transactions may see endorsement pricing changes depending on the coverage requested.

• The changes apply specifically to Stewart Title policies and products.

The filing is best viewed as an update and modernization of available title insurance products rather than a broad-based rate increase.

Protecting Your Transaction Beyond Title Insurance

Real estate wire fraud continues to be one of the fastest-growing threats facing buyers, sellers, and lenders. Before sending any funds, parties should always independently verify wire instructions directly with their title company.

Learn more about protecting yourself from real estate wire fraud:

https://aristocrattitle.com/wire-fraud-prevention

Questions About Stewart Title's Indiana Changes?

Whether you're purchasing a home in Jeffersonville, refinancing in New Albany, investing in Clarksville, developing property in Southern Indiana, or helping clients buy and sell throughout Indiana, Aristocrat Title is here to help.

As an authorized Stewart Title agent, Aristocrat Title can help explain how these changes may affect your transaction and determine the most appropriate title insurance coverage for your needs.

While these changes apply specifically to Stewart Title's Indiana filing, Aristocrat Title serves clients throughout Southern Indiana and Greater Louisville and can help explain title insurance requirements in both Indiana and Kentucky.

Order Title Online

https://aristocrattitle.com/order-title

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 812.282.8704

Visit Aristocrat Title

https://aristocrattitle.com

Aristocrat Title provides trusted, locally owned title and closing services throughout Southern Indiana and Greater Louisville. Whether you're a REALTOR®, lender, attorney, investor, buyer, or seller, our team is ready to help make your next closing smooth, secure, and successful.