Helpful Resources

WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE? There are two types of title insurance. Lenders' title insurance is required by virtually all lenders to assure them that should a title defect arise, their investment in the subject property is protected. Lenders require the Borrowers to pay for lender coverage as a condition of obtaining a loan. Owners title insurance protects the purchaser from any title claims arising from the previous ownership. The owner is protected from such problems as fraud, forgery and filing errors.

WHY DO I NEED TITLE INSURANCE? A title search is performed on each transaction. The title records are only as good as the documents recorded. If a previous owner perpetrated a fraud, committed a forgery or the clerk of the land records failed to record or recorded incorrectly, the purchaser is unprotected without owners title insurance. With the coverage, the title insurance company incurs the expense of determining the validity of a claim and defending against the claim. If there is a title defect, the title insurance company pays the claim so that the purchaser retains ownership without loss, or compensates the owner for any and all losses incurred as a result . The cost of the owner's title insurance premium is modest in comparison with the potential loss from a claim. Owners title insurance is a one-time premium.

WHAT DOES A TITLE COMPANY DO? A title company oversees the interests of all parties, consisting of buyers, sellers, lenders, real estate agents and coordinates the transfer of money and property at the time of closing. Prior to settlement the title company will research the ownership history of the property (which is called the title examination) to determine that the title is free of any liens or claims. At the settlement table, the title company collects and distributes funds from the transaction, transfers ownership of the property, and issues title insurance.

WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE AND WHY DO I NEED IT? The title insurance protects you, the property owner, and the lending institution that holds your mortgage from unforeseen claims that may arise against your property. The policy provides protection from financial loss and payment of legal costs associated with such claims.

IS A TITLE EXAM SUFFICIENT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR TITLE INSURANCE? No. A title examination is only as good as the land records. Should a filing error happen, if someone perpetrates a fraud, if an estate is mishandled. The title insurance protects you, even thought the title examination did not and could not disclose the problem.

DO TITLE COMPANIES CHARGE DIFFERENT RATES FOR TITLE INSURANCES? Title Insurance rates are set by state insurance commissions and are based on the purchase price of your property (owner's policy) and the loan amount (lender's policy).