The Woodlands Real Estate Blog

Title insurance companies are regulated by state statute. They are required to post financial guarantees to ensure that any claims will be paid in a timely fashion. They also must maintain their own “title plants” which house duplicates of recorded deeds, mortgages, plats, and other pertinent county property record

What is title insurance?

Title insurance provides coverage for certain losses due to defects in the title that, for the most part, occurred prior to your ownership. Title insurance protects against defects such as prior fraud or forgery that might go undetected until after closing and possibly jeopardize your ownership and investment.

Why is title insurance needed?

Title insurance insures Buyers against the risk that they did not acquire marketable title from the Seller. It is primarily designed to reduce risk or loss caused by defects in title from the past. A Loan Policy of Title Insurance protects the interest of the mortgage lender, while an Owner's Policy protects the equity of you, the Buyer, for as long as you or your heirs (in certain policies) own the real property

 There are many title issues that could cause you to lose your real property or your mortgage investment. Even the most careful search of public records may not disclose the most dangerous threat: hidden risks. These issues may not be uncovered until years later. Without title insurance from a reputable and financially solvent company, the ownership of your home could be jeopardized. Here are some examples of title issues that may occur.

• Deeds by persons supposedly single, but secretly married
• Deeds in lieu of foreclosure given under duress
• Marital rights of spouse purportedly, but not legally, divorced 
• Impersonation of the true owner of the land
• Deeds by minors TT Deeds by persons of unsound mind 
• Deeds to or from defunct corporations 
• Defective acknowledgements by notaries 
• Duress in execution of instruments 
• Erroneous reports furnished by tax officials
• Forged deeds, releases, etc. 
• Mistakes in recording legal documents 
• Surviving children omitted from will
• Administration of estate of persons absent but not deceased 
• Birth or adoption of children after date of will 
• Claims of creditors against real property sold by heirs  or devisees 
• Deed of community property recited to be separate property 
• Deeds by foreign partie

How title insurance differs from other forms of insurance

Unlike other forms of insurance, title insurance emphasizes loss prevention for the insured. Title professionals perform labor-intensive work to find and address title issues that could threaten your homeownership. This upfront analysis gives you, as a policy holder, the peace of mind that your title risk has been effectively reduced. In contrast, insurance based on loss assumption (such as auto or property and casualty insurance) requires little upfront work because claims cannot be predicted or prevented, and premium funds are needed only in the event of an accident or other covered issue. These types of insurance also require annual coverage payments, unlike title insurance which is paid for only once upon the purchase of your home or establishment of a new mortgage.