Title Insurance

What is a Title?

A title is the evidence or right a person has to the ownership and possession of land. A defect in the title can be any legal right held by someone other than the owner to claim property or make demands on the owner of that property.

What is Title Insurance?

When purchasing a home, instead of purchasing the actual building or land, you actually are purchasing the title to the property. After you buy a home, you are given a title to the property, which gives you full legal ownership. However, there can sometimes be a defect in title or a hidden mistake in a prior deed, will, mortgage, etc., that may give someone else a valid legal claim against your property. In short, title insurance is protection against loss if a covered defect is found in your title.

Why do I need Title Insurance?

Title insurance protects all the parties involved in the real estate transaction against previous mistakes and defects. Examples include forgeries on deeds, typographical errors, pending legal actions against the property, claims by previous undisclosed relatives of a former owner, outstanding judgments or liens, easements, etc. Title insurance can save you money, time, trouble, and can even save you from losing your home! More questions about what a title insurance company does? Read our Blog. 

How Title Insurance Works

There are two types of title insurance policies. The first, a ‘Loan Policy’ or ‘Lender’s Policy,’ protects the lender and covers the outstanding balance on the mortgage, but it does not protect you as the homeowner. The second type, an ‘Owner’s Policy,’ covers you as the buyer and ensures the title to the property is free from defects (liens and encumbrances), except those which are listed as exceptions in the policy. It will give you peace of mind and maximum protection in the event there is a claim against your home. Learn more about How Title Insurance Protects All Homebuyers.

What types of risks are covered?

Depending on your title insurance policy, coverage typically protects against certain hidden risks like these:

  1. Errors: Incorrect information in deeds, wills, trusts, mortgages, public records, or forgeries.
  2. Liens or judgments against the property: Claims against the property or the seller that become the new owner’s responsibility after the sale, including unpaid mortgages, taxes, sewer and water assessments, bills owed to contractors or other creditors, etc.
  3. Claims to ownership: A claim to marital interest by the spouse or child of a former owner who was not mentioned in the previous owner’s will.
  4. Invalid Deeds: A transfer by a previous seller who did not actually own the property or by a previous owner who was not mentally competent.
  5. Lack of Access: For example, if you would have to cross a private road to get to your property and the owner of the road won’t allow you to do so.

Exceptions

These may not be covered by your title insurance policy.

Standard Exclusions/Exceptions: Often appear as part of the printed form.
For example: limitations on land use, such as laws against farm animals and mechanic’s liens, such as unpaid construction or repair bills.

Special Exceptions

May be written into your policy based on defects found in the title search.
For example: easements, rights of way, and other legal obligations noted in the deed or public records, “Restrictive covenants,” agreements limiting certain types of use for your property.