01Choosing a closing provider
Can you choose your own title company?
Often, yes, when the relevant title or closing service appears in Section C of your Loan Estimate. But your ability to use a specific company depends on your lender, transaction, service, and local requirements.
Provider Choice Map
Start with Section C
Your Loan Estimate tells you what is actually shoppable.
The key is not whether a service sounds like something buyers normally shop. The key is whether your lender permits you to shop for that service on your transaction.
Services listed in Section C, Services You Can Shop For, are the required third-party services your lender allows you to shop separately.
Title-related charges may appear in Section B or Section C depending on the lender and transaction. If a title service appears in Section C, that is the signal that you are permitted to shop for that service.
What about the lender's provider list?
The list is a starting point, not always the only set of choices.
When your lender permits you to shop for a service, the lender provides a written list of providers. You can choose from that list. You may also be able to choose a provider that is not on the list if your lender agrees to work with that provider.
Check the service
Confirm the charge is actually in the shoppable section of your Loan Estimate.
Compare the full price
Look at the bottom-line cost of the comparable title and settlement services, not one isolated fee.
Confirm before switching
If the provider is outside the lender's list, confirm the lender can work with that provider before relying on the quote.
One more title insurance distinction
Lender's coverage and owner's coverage are not the same thing.
Lender's title insurance protects the lender's interest and is commonly required by the lender. Owner's title insurance protects the homeowner's interest and is generally a separate decision. Owner's title insurance normally appears outside Section C, so it is not the same ClosingCash comparison as a Section C lender's title or settlement charge.
See what your lender permits you to shop
Start with the Loan Estimate you already have.
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Related guides
Can Your Lender Require a Closing Provider?
See how Section B and Section C distinguish services the lender controls from services you are allowed to shop.
Which Closing Costs Can You Shop For?
See how to identify shoppable services and what to check before using a provider that is different from the lender's list.
What Is Section C on a Loan Estimate?
Learn where Section C appears, what Services You Can Shop For means, and why this part of the Loan Estimate matters.
Page information
Written by Matt Stein, Founder of ClosingCash
Updated
Sources and editorial note
This page provides general educational information. Loan requirements, available services, pricing, provider availability, and lender acceptance can vary by transaction. ClosingCash does not guarantee savings or outcomes.
Read our editorial and corrections policy, or email hello@shopmyclosingcosts.com to suggest a correction.