A Homeowner’s Guide to Title Insurance

As a homeowner, there are likely a lot of things you don’t know about title insurance. But understanding the basics is important when it comes to protecting your home and making sure that any potential problems are taken care of. To help you get started, let’s take a look at who is responsible for title insurance and what it entails.

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance provides protection against loss due to title defects, liens, encumbrances, or other issues that may arise during the purchase of a home. It also protects the buyer from any potential claims from previous owners or third parties that have an interest in the property.

Who is Responsible for Title Insurance?

The buyer is typically responsible for purchasing title insurance, although in some cases the seller can be responsible as well. The decision on who pays for title insurance depends on local customs and should be discussed prior to closing on the house. In addition to determining who pays for title insurance, it's important to understand what type of policy you need and how much coverage it will provide.

In most cases, buyers will purchase either a lender's policy or an owner's policy. A lender's policy provides protection only to the lender; an owner's policy provides protection both to the lender and the buyer. In general, an owner’s policy costs more than a lender’s policy but offers more comprehensive coverage in case of any disputes over ownership or other issues.

             Conclusion

Overall, knowing who is responsible for title insurance can be confusing, especially if you are new to buying a home. That being said, understanding what type of coverage you need and who pays for it can help ensure that your investment is protected from any potential problems down the road. If you still have questions about title insurance or want more information about how it works, contact your real estate agent or local attorney today!