Jeanne,

Your poll results are interesting.  It's good to see that the majority of abstractors are more on the thorough side.

Given the different terminology, and the different standards of the different clients, not to mention varying state statutes, trying to define any product beyond a general starting point might be futile.  I think any set standards would need to cover the most rigorous end of the spectrum, which would likely raise the cost for some clients.  Thus, the blanket definition would be rejected by a segment of the customer base.

This would also require agreement among associations aside from NALTEA, or any other single association.  There would need to be agreement between associations representing the vendors as well as those representing the customers.  I don't believe NALTEA has the numbers yet to be able to gain enough support among the abstractors for any set standards.  I'm not sure if any associations representing the client base(s) have the numbers either, other than the ALTA.

That said, it's still a great idea.  In fact, it has been discussed in the past between NALTEA and another organization.  There was some doubt expressed by the other organization as to whether it could work, but a willingness, nonetheless, to further explore the idea.  I think those discussions could be revived.  The idea definitely merits further discussion among NALTEA members.