Title Insurance = Peace of Mind

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

Determining that your rights and interests to the property are clear is the business of a title insurance company.

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 searches the property's title history. The title insurance company can usually find any title problems and clear up these problems prior to closing.

Real Estate law is extraordinarily complex. 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 any recorded limitations on your ownership. It will also cover what the title company is responsible for. Title insurance usually covers:

• Contested title — This usually happens when someone who owned or even lived in the home before you claims to still hold an interest. In this case, the title insurance company will defend your title at no expense to you.
• Defective title — This is a general term for a legal problem with the title that cannot be corrected and includes "contested title" above. Defects are rare, but they can be very difficult, making the property inaccessible, unable to be built, or unsaleable. Many other complex problems define "Defective title." The title company will discover these title problems, or should they miss them, protect you from financial loss - up to the amount of the policy.