Title Insurance for Your Peace of Mind

Buying a home will likely be the largest investment you make in your life. So before you commit to the transaction, you want to be sure that the "title" of the property is free of other claims.

A title insurance company ensures that your new home is free of 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 company searches the property's title history. The title company can usually find any title problems and have these problems cleared-up before you close on the property.

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 any recorded limitations on your ownership. It will also cover what the title insurance company is responsible for. Title insurance usually covers:

• Contested title — This usually happens when someone who owned or even lived in the home before you claims to still hold an interest. In this case, the title company will defend your title at no expense to you.
• Defective title — This is a general term for a legal problem with the title that cannot be corrected and includes "contested title" above. Other examples of title defects include problems with legal access to the property, easements that make the property less usable, unusable, or unsaleable. Many other complicated problems define "Defective title." The title insurance company will discover these problems, or should they miss them, protect you from financial loss - up to the amount of the policy.