Protect Yourself With Title Insurance
An overview of the title industry
Prior to the development of the title industry in the late 1800s, a homebuyer received a grantor’s warranty, attorney’s title opinion, or abstractor’s certificate as assurance of home ownership. The buyer relied on the financial integrity of the grantor, attorney, or abstractor for protection. Today, title insurance companies are regulated by state statute. They are required to post financial guarantees to ensure that any claims will be paid in a timely fashion. They also must maintain their own “title plants” which house duplicates of recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other pertinent county property records.
What is title insurance?
Title Insurance provides coverage for certain losses due to defects in the title that occurred prior to your ownership. The Seller can give only those rights that previously have been received with “good title.” Title insurance protects against defects such as prior fraud or forgery that might go undetected until after closing and possibly jeopardize your ownership and investment.
Why title insurance is needed
Title Insurance assures the new Buyers that they are acquiring marketable title from the Seller. It is designed to eliminate risk or loss caused by defects in title from the past. Title Insurance protects the interest of the mortgage lender as well as the equity of the Buyer for as long as their heirs have any interest in the property.
When is the premium due?
It is an on-time premium which is paid at the close of escrow. It is customary for the Seller to pay for the Owner’s Policy. If there is a new loan, the Buyer pays for the Lender’s Policy. The policy has a perpetual term and provides coverage for as long as you are in a position to suffer a loss.
Do all title companies offer the same protection?
Any standard American Land Title Association (ALTA) policy covers the same basic items.
However, some title companies offer easy-to-understand plain language policies.
Note: If you decided to sell your home in the future, new title insurance will be needed to protect your buyer for the time prior to and during your ownership for any defects that may have occurred.