Protecting Your Home with Title Insurance

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

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

For a modest, one-time title insurance premium, you will receive continuous title insurance protection equal to the purchase price of the property or its current market value.

The title company performs an extensive search on the title history of the property. Through its research, the title insurance company can usually identify any title problems and clear up these problems before you close on the property.

Real Estate law is extraordinarily complicated. 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 title insurance owner's policy will describe the property and outline the limitations on your ownership. It will also set forth the title company's responsibilities should any claim covered by the policy terms arise. Title insurance covers the following:

• 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 company will defend the title at no expense to you.
• 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 find these title problems, or if they miss them, protect you from financial loss - up to the amount of the policy.