What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance provides protection of real estate owners and lenders against problems due to the title in the property. Each title insurance policy is specified under conditions that must be followed.

Why would I prefer title insurance to other insurance?

Other insurance plans protect you against any future events that could occur such as a car accident or health problem. These insurance plans require you to pay a high rate annual or monthly fee to ensure continued protection. Title insurance is considerably the opposite. Title insurance plans protect you against any previous events of your piece of property and those who owned it. This insurance plan only requires a one-time rate paid at closing.

How much does this cover?

Title insurance protects you from problems from past shortcomings. These shortcomings can range from that of someone claiming a false ownership, fraud, liens, forgery, encroachments, falsely filed documents, and more. Your title insurance plan will specify all instances that you will be protected from.

The following are some of the shortcomings title insurance can protect you from.

  1. Documents executed under false, revoked or expired powers of attorney
  2. False impersonation of the true owner
  3. Undisclosed heirs
  4. Improperly recorded legal documents
  5. Rights in another not appearing of record and not disclosed by survey
  6. Failure to include necessary owners to certain judicial proceedings
  7. Defective acknowledgements due to improper or expired documentation
  8. Corporate franchise taxes as liens on corporate real estate assets
  9. Gaps in the process of the title
  10. Mistakes and omissions resulting in improper exporting
  11. Improper changes to the documents
  12. Rights of divorced parties
  13. Conveyances in violation of public policy
  14. Misinterpretation of wills and ancillary instruments
  15. Deeds by persons falsely representing their marital status
  16. Deeds by minors
  17. Deeds which appear absolute, but which are held to be equitable mortgages
  18. Conveyances by an heir, devisee or survivor of a joint estate who attempts to obtain title by false means
  19. Claims by creditors of decedent against property improperly conveyed by heirs and devisees
  20. Issues concerning unlawful takings by eminent domain or condemnation
  21. Special tax assessments
  22. Real estate homestead exceptions
  23. Forfeitures of real property due to criminal acts
  24. Forged deeds, mortgages, wills, releases of mortgages and other instruments

Do I need this?

If you are a buyer or a lender then yes, you need title insurance. This is the best way to insure against multiple possible shortcomings. Everyone in the transaction will benefit from title insurance.