A Clear Overview

Title insurance is a policy that protects owners and lenders against financial loss from issues that may arise from a property’s title.

Even with extensive title searches by professionals, there are numerous defects that could still affect the title of a property. Examples of defects could be legal document recording mistakes, falsified documents, undisclosed heirs, unpaid or unreleased mortgages, unpaid taxes, liens or judgments, fraudulent impersonation, ownership claims from third parties, acreage discrepancies, lack of access, lot lien disputes, encroachments from adjacent properties, undisclosed easements giving third parties access over your property as well as many other issues not specifically named here+.  Unlike other insurance that covers future events, title insurance protects against past issues* that existed before the purchase but were unknown and/or undisclosed at closing.  It involves a one-time premium.

+Contact your agent and/or underwriter for a full detailed list of all matters covered under the title policy.

*Enhanced Homeowners Policies can provide limited coverage over future events such as fraud. Please check with your agent and/or Underwriter for more info.

Lender’s title insurance is the most common, paid for by the borrower to ensure the lender has a valid, enforceable lien on your property. Owner’s title insurance protects you as the homeowner from title defects that existed before the issuance of the policy. 

100% absolutely. Without title insurance, you are exposed to significant risk in the event that there is a title defect present. An example of this would be finding out there are unpaid property taxes on the property after closing. Without title insurance, the financial responsibility of this claim for the back taxes is the buyer's. The buyer will either pay the back taxes or risk losing the home to the taxing entity.

Our title insurance underwriters are all qualified real estate attorneys with extensive experience in all real property matters.  They are ready, willing and able to assist agents/partners/insured with all real estate related matters.  They can be counted on to provide valuable, accurate guidance and respond quickly to all questions and inquiries.