query: title agency pocketed fee and never purchased insurance

You may still have evidence of insurance.  Look for the title commitment.  If you don't have a copy, ask your mortgage lender for a copy from their file. Next look at your HUD-1 Settlement Statement.  Does it say that you paid a premium for title insurance?

A copy of a fully signed HUD-1 combined with a copy of the title commitment can be used to show evidence of insurance.  If the title