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FAQs About Title Insurance

Your home is your largest investment.

Make sure that you’re properly protected with title insurance from Prestige Title Insurance Agency.
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about title insurance.

What is Title Insurance?

A title insurance policy protects the insured against loss or damage sustained by a defect in what’s known as the chain of title.
Some of the most common hidden risks that can create a loss include:

False impersonation of the true owner of the property

Forged deeds, releases, or wills

Undisclosed or missing heirs

Instruments executed under invalid or expired power(s) of attorney

Mistakes in recording legal documents

Misinterpretations of the wills

Deeds by a person of unsound mind

Deeds by minors

Deeds by a person supposedly single, but in fact married

Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income, or gift taxes fraud

Obtaining an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance will provide protection to the buyer from these and other risks as outlined in the policy. The one-time premium that’s paid for this coverage will provide peace of mind for many years to follow.

Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

Without an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance, you may be leaving your home ownership vulnerable to terrible risk. For example, what would you do if someone knocked on your door one day and said, “I am the real owner of this property, and the person you bought it from was a fraud?” Without title insurance, you would be left to hire your own attorney in hopes that he or she could prove that your title was clear. You would stand not only to be left paying a hefty legal bill, but you may also lose your home.

Why Do I Need Title Insurance?

Without an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance, you may be leaving your home ownership vulnerable to terrible risk. For example, what would you do if someone knocked on your door one day and said, “I am the real owner of this property, and the person you bought it from was a fraud?” Without title insurance, you would be left to hire your own attorney in hopes that he or she could prove that your title was clear. You would stand not only to be left paying a hefty legal bill, but you may also lose your home.

Doesn’t My Mortgage Bank Take Care of This?

A Lenders Policy of Title Insurance is required by the bank to protect their interest in your property. However, that Lender’s Policy does not protect you, the owner. Without an Owner’s Policy, you may find the title company paying a claim to your lender, but your interest may be left uncovered. Make sure that you protect your interest in your property by obtaining an Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance.

What Does a Title Insurance Company Do?

When a contract to purchase your new property has been executed, the title insurance company will research the chain of title to the land to discover:

Who the owner is

How title is vested in the owner

What outstanding liens are attached to the property

What other encumbrances (easements, etc.) exist on the
property

This research will help identify any problems before you complete the purchase of the property. It’s the goal of the title insurance company to identify and bring to resolution any problems that may exist before the purchase is final. Once the policy has been issued, the insured is protected from any covered risks that may arise prior to the date of the policy.

What If a Claim Is Made?

If anyone makes a claim of interest to your property that falls within the effective date and coverage of your title policy, you simply
contact your title insurance company and they’ll take it from there. The title company will assess the risk, hire an attorney to defend
your interest if necessary, and seek an effective remedy for the claim. You can rely on your title company to work with you to resolve your claim quickly and in the most suitable manner.