In all my years in real estate I have to admit that one of the hardest concepts to explain is title insurance; what it is and why it's important to every sale.
What is title insurance?
The goal of title insurance is to ensure that the correct property owner is selling the property and that a clear title is being transferred to the purchaser.Old Republic Title explains title insurance as the following:
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.
What are the benefits of title insurance?
The main benefit is that the title of the property is researched and deemed to be clear before a title policy is issued. This protects the seller from selling a property that may have an issue on the title, it protects the buyer from purchasing a property that may have an issue with the title and their lender as well.
Old Republic Title explains this in a little more detail:
To the Purchaser of Real Estate...
The purchaser of real estate needs protection against serious financial loss due to a defect in the title to the property purchased. For a single, one-time premium, which is a modest amount in relationship to the value of the property, a buyer can receive the protection of a title insurance policy - a policy that is backed by the reserves and solvency of the Company. A title insurance policy will cover both claims arising out of title problems that could have been discovered in the public records, and those so-called "non-record" defects that could not be discovered in the record, even with the most complete search.
A title insurance policy will not only protect the insured owner, but also that person'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.
To the Lender...
The overwhelming majority of mortgage loans made in the United States are made by persons who are acting in a fiduciary capacity - by savings and loan associations, savings banks, and commercial banks on behalf of their depositors, and by life insurance companies on behalf of their policyholders. Because they are lending other people's money (other people's savings or policyholder's funds) these lenders must be concerned with the safety of their mortgage investments.
A policy of title insurance provides a mortgage lender with a high degree of safety against the loss of security as a result of a title problem. This protection remains in effect for as long as the mortgage remains unsatisfied.
To the Seller...
An owner of real property whose interest is insured by an owner's title insurance policy has the assurance that the title will be marketable when selling the property. The title insurance policy protects the seller from financial damage if the seller's title is rejected by a prospective purchaser. Also, when the seller conveys with "warranties," the seller is still protected if the buyer sues because of a breach of those warranties.
The purchaser of real estate needs protection against serious financial loss due to a defect in the title to the property purchased. For a single, one-time premium, which is a modest amount in relationship to the value of the property, a buyer can receive the protection of a title insurance policy - a policy that is backed by the reserves and solvency of the Company. A title insurance policy will cover both claims arising out of title problems that could have been discovered in the public records, and those so-called "non-record" defects that could not be discovered in the record, even with the most complete search.
A title insurance policy will not only protect the insured owner, but also that person'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.
To the Lender...
The overwhelming majority of mortgage loans made in the United States are made by persons who are acting in a fiduciary capacity - by savings and loan associations, savings banks, and commercial banks on behalf of their depositors, and by life insurance companies on behalf of their policyholders. Because they are lending other people's money (other people's savings or policyholder's funds) these lenders must be concerned with the safety of their mortgage investments.
A policy of title insurance provides a mortgage lender with a high degree of safety against the loss of security as a result of a title problem. This protection remains in effect for as long as the mortgage remains unsatisfied.
To the Seller...
An owner of real property whose interest is insured by an owner's title insurance policy has the assurance that the title will be marketable when selling the property. The title insurance policy protects the seller from financial damage if the seller's title is rejected by a prospective purchaser. Also, when the seller conveys with "warranties," the seller is still protected if the buyer sues because of a breach of those warranties.
I found this article that breaks it down to even simpler and gives a more in depth explanation if you would like more information.
Visit Transnation Title for a rate quote in the Michigan area.
Source: Old Republic Title
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