For a one-time premium, paid during the closing process, an owner’s policy of title insurance protects against future losses arising out of events that may have happened in the past.
So what does title insurance protect against? To name a few:
Ÿ Mistakes in recording of legal documents.
Ÿ Forged deeds, releases or wills.
Ÿ Undisclosed or missing heirs, including spouses,
Ÿ Deeds by persons of unsound mind.
Ÿ Deeds by minors.
Ÿ Deeds executed under invalid/expired power of attorney.
Ÿ Liens for unpaid taxes.
Ÿ Fraud.
Title insurance protects you in several ways. Everyone understands the risk of human error in such a complex process. However, where your property title is concerned, there is no room for error. A deed merely transfers the property rights from the seller to the buyer. Title insurance companies may cover any or all of the following events that may jeopardize a clear title.
Despite an extensive title search, there may be liens or claims to the property that remain undiscovered. Title insurance protects you from liens due to unpaid taxes, liens due to unpaid debts, mining, oil or air rights — plus any mistakes in the “chain of title,” lawsuits or claims against the property itself, insurance that all taxes and assessments have been paid, and any additional hidden risks.
There are two types of title insurance The Lender’s Policy provides protection to the lender until the mortgage is paid in full:
Lenders may be automatically covered to 125 percent of the loan amount; mechanics lien coverage protects the lender for work done after the date of policy; and subdivision coverage protects the lender against an improperly created subdivision. Lenders may also protect against home improvements implemented after the policy date without proper permits.
The owner’s policy may provide some or all the following protection to the new property owner.
The policy may protect the new owner from liability for un-discharged liens and/or mortgages by prior owners; mechanics lien coverage protects owner for work implemented prior to the date of policy, unless work was previously agreed upon; and subdivision protection may protect against an improperly created subdivision.
Some agreed-upon amount may be covered if an existing structure needs to be removed because the prior owners failed to obtain a building permit, encroached on a neighbor’s property or violated restrictions. No deductibles apply. It’s for a risk no one should take.