Title Insurance for Your Peace of Mind

The biggest investment you will make in your lifetime will probably be the purchase of a home. So before you sign on the dotted line, you want to be certain that the "title" of the property is free of any other claims.

A title company ensures that your new property doesn't carry expensive encumbrances and other legal obstacles.

You pay the title company a single premium which includes the cost of verifying clear title and covers you in case some fault is later discovered in the title.

The title insurance company searches the property's title history. Through its research, the title insurance company can almost always find any title problems that may arise and clear up these problems prior to closing.

Because Real Estate Law is so complex, 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 title insurance owner's policy will describe the property and outline the limitations on your ownership. It will also cover what the title company is responsible for. 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. If this happens, the title insurance company will defend the title and will cost you nothing.
• Defective title — "Defective title" covers any number of problems with the title to your home. It can even include a "contested title". Defects are rare, but they can be very difficult, making the property inaccessible, unable to be built, or unsaleable. Many other complicated problems define "Defective title." The title insurance policy will protect you from these errors if the title company doesn't discover them.