What Is
TITLE
A title is the evidence, of right, that a person has to the ownership and possession of land es
to the ownership and possession of land.
It is possible that someone other than the owner has a legal right to the property. If that right can be established, this person can claim the property outright or make demands on the owner as to its use.
WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE?
Title insurance insures the purchasers of real estate and mortgages against loss from defective titles, liens, and encumbrances.
Protecting purchasers against loss is accomplished by the issuance of a title insurance policy, which states that if the status of the title to a parcel of real property is other than as represented, and if the insured suffers a loss as a result of title defect, the insurer will reimburse the insured for that loss and any related legal expenses, up to the face amount of the policy.
Title insurance differs significantly from other forms of insurance. While the functions of most other forms of insurance is risk assumption through the pooling of risks for losses arising out of unforeseen future events (such as death or accidents), the primary purpose of title insurance is to eliminate risks and prevent losses caused by defects in title arising out of events that have happened in the past. To achieve this goal, title insurers perform an extensive search of the public records to determine whether there are any adverse claims to the subject real estate. Those claims are either eliminated prior to the issuance of a title policy or their existence is excepted from coverage.
A title insurance policy will not only protect the insured owner, but also that purchaser's heirs for as long as they hold title to the property, and even after they sell by warranty deed. The Company will not only satisfy any valid claim made against the insured's title, but it will pay for the costs and legal expenses of defending against a title claim.
DO I NEED TITLE INSURANCE?
Most definitely! Title insurance is a means of protecting yourself from financial loss in the event that problems develop regarding the rights to ownership of your property. There may be hidden title defects that even the most careful title search will not reveal. In addition to protection from financial loss, title insurance pays the cost of defending against any covered claim.
WHAT CAN MAKE A TITLE DEFECTIVE?
Any number of problems that remain undisclosed after even the most meticulous search of public records can make a title defective. These hidden "defects" are dangerous indeed because you may not learn of them for many months or years. Yet they could force you to spend substantial sums on a legal defense, and still result in the loss of your property.
HOW IS THE TITLE SEARCHED?
The job of searching the public records to identify existing rights and interests is not an easy task. The title searcher or abstracter reviews the public records to find all aspects of title, which can be seen and recognized. From the title search, the title examiner produces an opinion of title, from which the Company will issue its insurance.
There are few titles, if any, that have a perfect history from their source, or root, to the present day. Each transfer of ownership is a "link" in what is referred to as the "chain of title." As each transaction or link takes place, there is a potential for a problem. Even if the entire chain of title appears to be in order, the chain is still subject to interpretation. When searching a title, what we are trying to determine are the various rights and interests that make up each link in the chain as it has passed from one owner to another.
Every title is made up of many different "rights" and "interests" that may be owned by different people. The "owners" of the property own the most valuable of the property's rights and interests, but other people may also have rights to the property, such as easements for utilities or mortgages, etc.
Each title can be compared to sticks in a bundle. The rights and interests are represented by the sticks. The "owners" own what we call a "fee simple" title, that is, they have purchased the most vital and valuable sticks including rights of possession, use, occupancy, enjoyment, inheritance, etc. Also, within the bundle are sticks that may be owned by other parties. These are called encumbrances and may consist of easements, mortgages, liens, etc.
BUT THE LENDER ALREADY REQUIRES TITLE INSURANCE, WON'T THAT PROTECT ME?
Not necessarily. There are two types of Title Insurance. Your lender likely will require that you purchase a Lender's Policy. This policy only insures that the financial institution has a valid, enforceable lien on the property. Most lenders require this type of insurance, and typically require the borrower to pay for it.
An Owner's Policy on the other hand is designed to protect you from title defects that existed prior to the issue date of your policy. Title troubles, such as improper estate proceedings or pending legal action, could put your equity at serious risk. If a valid claim is filed, in addition to financial loss up to the face amount of the policy, your owner's title policy covers the full cost of any legal defense of your title.
HOW MUCH DOES TITLE INSURANCE COST?
The one-time premium is directly related to the value of your home. Typically, it is less expensive than your annual auto insurance. It is a one-time only expense, paid when you purchase your home. Yet it continues to provide complete coverage for as long as you or your heirs own the property.
WHAT DOES HAVING TITLE INSURANCE MEAN TO ME?
It means that you may rest assured in knowing that the financial investment you have made will be protected against errors in the rights and interests that are disclosed in the public records or by physical inspection of the property such as deeds, mortgages, utility easements; against rights and interests that are not recorded but exist, such as limitations imposed by laws and statutes; as well as against rights and interests that are hidden, such as forgeries, secret marriages and unknown heirs.
Information courtesy of Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.