Bermuda-based PartnerRe has invested in a Stamford, Connecticut company — making its foray into title insurance industry.The global reinsurance group invested $19 million in Entitle Direct Group, Inc, the parent company of the country’s leading direct-to-consumer title insurance underwriter.Proceeds form the investment will be used to increase the surplus of EnTitle Insurance Company and drive growth of the company’s direct-to-consumer title insurance distribution channel, Entitle Direct.EnTitle Insurance Co. was founded almost 35 years ago, but Entitle Direct is relatively new, starting in 2008 as a direct-to-customer distribution rather than selling coverage through an agent.EnTitle says it is able to offer lower rates because it does not have to pay agents’ commissions. Similarly, other lines of insurance, like shopping online for car coverage, have shifted away from the agent-driven sales model.Title insurance in the US is generally wrapped into a real-estate transaction with two types of coverage: one for the lender, one for the property buyer. It covers risk of defects in the title to a property.The company says its mission is to lower home closing costs and introduce transparency into the closing process.“This investment from PartnerRe validates the company’s mission and fortifies our capital base, enabling us to grow our consumer-centric model, which will result in more consumers lowering their title insurance costs and enhancing their closing experiences,” said Timothy Dwyer, CEO of Entitle Direct Group.This is the first time PartnerRe has invested in a title insurance company.As a leading global reinsurance group with total capital of $7.5 billion, PartnerRe will provide Entitle with guidance and oversight as it grows in a market dominated by four major underwriters.According to the American Land Title Association, these four underwriters currently control nearly 90% of the total market.