What is title insurance?

It is insurance to protect lenders and homebuyers from financial loss sustained from defects in the title of a property.

What does title insurance cover?

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, unreleased mortgages, unpaid taxes, liens or judgements, or fraudulent impersonation.

What are the types of title insurance?

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 prior to the issuance of the policy.

Do I need title insurance?

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