PROTECTING YOUR LARGEST SINGLE INVESTMENT
Why Title Insurance?
Title insurance is not as well understood as other types of home insurance, but it is just as important. When purchasing a home, instead of purchasing the actual building or land, you are really purchasing the title to that property – the right to occupy and use the space. That title may be limited by rights and claims asserted by others, which may limit your use and enjoyment of the property and even bring financial loss. Title insurance protects against these types of hazards.
Other types of insurance that protect your home focus on possible future events and charge an annual premium. On the other hand, title insurance protects against loss from hazards and defects that already exist in the title and is purchased with a one-time premium.
Two Kinds of Title Insurance Benefit You in Two Ways
There are two basic kinds of title insurance:
- Lender or mortgage protection
- Owner’s coverage
Most lenders require mortgagee title insurance as security for their investment in real estate, just as they may call for fire insurance and other types of coverage as investor protection. When title insurance is provided, lenders are willing to make mortgage money available in distant locales where they know little about the market.
Owner’s title insurance lasts as long as you, the policyholder – or your heirs – have an interest in the insured property. This may even be after you have sold the property. In Virginia it is customary for the purchaser to pay for the lender’s title insurance policy as well as their owner’s policy. If an owner’s policy is purchased, however, you will be able to pay a smaller simultaneous issue charge (typically $150) for the separate lender coverage.
What does your premium really pay for?
An important part of title insurance is its emphasis on risk elimination before insuring. This gives you, as the policyholder, the best possible chance for avoiding title claim and loss.
Title insuring begins with a search of the public land records affecting the real estate concerned. An examination is conducted by the title agent or attorney on behalf of its underwriter to determine whether the property is insurable. The examination of evidence from a search is intended to fully report all ‘material objections’ to the title. Frequently, documents that don’t clearly transfer title are found in the “chain”, or history that is assembled from the records in a search. Here are some examples of documents that can present concerns:
- Deeds, wills and trusts that contain improper wording or incorrect names
- Deeds that were recorded by a trustee due to a foreclosure of the property
- Outstanding mortgages and judgments, or a lien against the property because the seller has not paid his or her taxes
- Easements that allow construction of a road or utility line
- Pending legal action against the property that could affect a purchaser
- Incorrect notary acknowledgements
Through the search and examination, title problems are disclosed so they can be corrected whenever possible. However, even the most careful preventative work cannot locate all hidden title hazards.
Hidden title hazards – your last defense
In spite of all the expertise and dedication that go into a title search and examination, hidden hazards can emerge after closing, resulting in unpleasant and costly surprises. Some examples of hazards include:
- A forged signature on the deed, which would mean no transfer of ownership to you
- An unknown heir of a previous owner who is claiming ownership of the property
- Instruments executed under an expired or a fabricated power of attorney
- Mistakes in the public records
Title insurance offers financial protection against these and other covered title hazards. The title insurer will pay for defending against the attack on title as insured, and will either perfect the title or pay valid claims – all for a one-time charge at closing.
Your home is your most important investment. Before you go to closing, ask Universal Title about your title insurance protection, and be sure to protect your home with an owner’s title insurance policy.
Contact Us
Please feel free to send us any questions you may have.
info@universaltitletx.com
18333 Preston Road, Suite 310
Dallas, Texas 75252
(469) 731-0066
