Most definitely! Title Insurance is a means of protecting yourself from financial loss in the event of a title defect regarding your insured interest in the 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 legal fees and costs of defending against any covered claim.

Some common examples of problems covered by an Owner's Title Insurance Policy include:

- Improper execution of documents.
- Mistakes in recording or indexing of legal documents.
- Forgeries and fraud.
- Undisclosed or missing heirs.
- Unpaid taxes and assessments.
- Unpaid judgements and liens.
- Unreleased mortgages or improperly discharge mortgages.
- Mental incompetence of grantors on the deed.
-  Errors by the title abstractor when searching the public records for the property.

When you purchase your home, you should be obtaining marketable title to your property. In short, this means that no one has a right to your property other than rights shown in the public records such as easements or use restrictions. 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 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 loss of your property.

No, there are two types of Title Insurance. Your lender likely will require that you purchase a Lender’s Title Insurance Policy. This policy only insures that the lender has a valid, enforceable lien on the property. Most lenders require this type of insurance, and typically require the borrower to pay for it.  In the event of a claim under the lender’s policy only the lender’s interest is protected and the coverage the lender has is much different than what an owner needs.  An Owner’s Title Insurance 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 title 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 Insurance Policy covers the full legal cost of any legal defense of your title.

The one-time premium, paid at closing, 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 even after you have sold the property. Please call if you would like a quote.