Title Insurance for Your Peace of Mind
Buying a home will likely be the biggest investment you make in your life. So before you sign on the dotted line, you must be sure that the “title” of the property is clear of other claims.
Determining that your rights and interests to the property are clear is the business of a title company.
For a modest, one-time title insurance premium, you will receive continuous title insurance protection equal to the purchase price of the property or its current market value.
The title insurance company performs an extensive search on the title history of the property. The title company can usually find any title problems that may arise and clear up these problems prior to closing.
Because Real Estate Law is so complicated, you need an expert to make sure that all previous transactions have been correct, so you don’t end up with legal problems or a problem with the title to your property. Your owner’s policy will describe the property and outline the limitations on your ownership. It will also set forth the title insurance company’s responsibilities should any claim covered by the policy terms arise. Title insurance usually covers:
- Contested title — Someone, usually a previous owner or occupant, claims they still own the property or have not given up their claim. In this case, the title company will defend your title and will cost you nothing.
- Defective title — This is a general term for a legal problem with the title that cannot be corrected and includes “contested title” above. Defects are rare, but they can be very difficult, making the property inaccessible, unbuildable, or unsaleable. Any number of other complex problems define “Defective title” or “Clouded Title.” The title insurance policy will protect you from these errors if the title company doesn’t discover them.
