Orange Coast Title Co. has agreed to pay $800,000 to settle charges that it used illegal methods to boost business, the California Department of Insurance said Tuesday.
The department said it unearthed violations at the Santa Ana-based title insurer totaling “more than $167,230 in illegal activities,” according to a release.
Charges against Orange Coast Title included false entries in financial books, illegal payments to induce more title business, payments for furnishings and other supplies to induce title business and illegal rebates, among other alleged infractions.
About $626,000 of the settlement is related to a fine, with $174,000 for the department’s investigation.
California has been among many U.S. states that have settled charges with title insurers over alleged illegal sales methods.
Orange Coast Title was founded in 1974. It has about 1,500 employees in 105 offices in California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Texas.
