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What is Title Insurance?

Owner’s title insurance protects you should the ownership of your property come into question. It is different from other types of home insurance because it helps eliminate past risks—defects in a property’s title—rather than protecting you from the probability of future risks. Your mortgage company will likely require you to purchase title insurance as a security for their investment, similar to requiring fire insurance and other types of protection.

How does it work?

You pay a one-time fee at your closing to defend your possession of your property. If anyone ever challenges your ownership or questions the marketability of your title, title insurance may cover any legal costs relating to your defense. Should the property challenge prove legitimate, title insurance will cover your losses. Your policy protects you for as long as you own the property.

Protecting Yourself from Hidden Title Hazards

As part of your title search and examination, our team will conduct a thorough search of public records to reveal any claims or liens on the property that could affect your purchase and sales agreement. We will advise you on how to correct any disclosed problems whenever possible. However, even the most thorough, detailed search cannot identify hidden title hazards, including:

  • Public record mistakes

  • Forged deed signatures, which prevent a transfer of ownership

  • Unknown heirs or previous owners staking a claim on the property

  • Real estate transactions executed under a fabricated or expired power of attorney

How much does title insurance cost?

The cost of your owner’s title insurance policy is based on the purchase price of your home. Use our handy calculator to determine yours.

Title Insurance:  Defending Your Home and Property Ownership

Signing a Contract

When you purchase a home, you’re really purchasing the title to the property—which gives you the right to occupy and use it. At any point in time, that title could be challenged by the rights and claims of others. Title insurance is a small price to pay for the protection and peace of mind it provides. Contact us to learn more.

20 Reasons why you need Owner’s Title Insurance

  1. Forgery 

  2. Fraud in the execution of documents

  3. Undue influence on a grantor of a deed 

  4. False Impersonation by someone purporting to be the owner of the property 

  5. Errors in surveys 

  6. Undisclosed or missing heirs 

  7. Wills not properly probated

  8. Misinterpretation of wills and trusts 

  9. Mental incompetence of a grantor of a deed 

  10. Transfer of title by a minor 

  11. Heirs born after the execution of a will 

  12. Incorrect legal descriptions 

  13. Non-delivery of deeds 

  14. Unsatisfied claims not shown on the record 

  15. Deeds executed under expired or false powers of attorney 

  16. Confusion due to similar or identical names 

  17. Dower or curtesy rights of spouses of former owners 

  18. Incorrect indexing of the land records 

  19. Clerical errors in recording legal documents 

  20. Delivery of deeds after the death of the Grantor

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