Title Insurance = Peace of Mind

Purchasing a home is probably the largest investment you will ever make. So before you close, you need to be sure that that nobody else can claim the property.

A title company ensures that your new home is free of expensive encumbrances and other legal obstacles.

You pay the title insurance 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. The title company can usually identify any title problems and clear up these problems before you close on the property.

Real Estate law is extraordinarily complex. Title companies make sure that all the T's are crossed and all the I's are dotted so you don't end up with a clouded title and legal problems. Your owner's policy will describe the property and outline the limitations on your ownership. It will also cover what the title insurance company is responsible for. Typically your title insurance will protect you in the following cases:

• 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 insurance company will defend your 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". Other examples of title defects include problems with legal access to the property, easements that make the property less usable, unusable, or unsaleable. Any number of other complicated problems define "Defective title" or "Clouded Title." The title company will discover these problems, or should they miss them, protect you from financial loss - up to the amount of the policy.