Understanding Title Insurance

When you are in the market to buy a home, your Realtor, lawyer and mortgage broker may talk about "Title Insurance" for your property. With so many other "insurances" being required when you buy a home, it can become quite confusing!

In a nutshell, Title Insurance gives you added protection should someone else claim a legal interest in their property. It also protects you against any loss that might result from municipal work orders, survey issues, certificate of location defects, unpaid taxes by previous owners and a number of other covered title risks such as Title Fraud. Ask your lawyer for a complete list of the risks that are covered.

What is Title Insurance?
When you buy a home, you're actually paying for title to the land: essentially, you acquire the right to occupy and use the space. Part of the price paid will be for what is known as "improvement" which is generally the actual house that sits on the land, but the major cost of most property is the land itself. You obtain title to that property when the owner signs the deed (transfer document) over to you. Title is then registered in the government's land registration system.

Before closing, records at the Land Registry Office are "searched" to determine the previous ownership of the property, existing mortgages, liens for outstanding taxes, utility charges, claims from trades,etc., registered against the property. At closing, you reasonably expect the property to be free of such claims, so normally they must be cleared up before closing. For example, the Seller's mortgage will be discharged (paid off) and outstanding expenses (such as taxes, condo fees if applicable and any utility charges) will be paid for (or adjusted for) at closing.

If the title is restricted by rights and claims of others it could cause you to not be able to sell down the road if things aren't cleared up. It could also limit your use and enjoyment of the property (such as in the case of shared driveways or easements) and even bring financial loss. However, such issues may not be discovered or remedied before closing. Title insurance will protect you against these situations.

Do I need Title Insurance?
To fully understand what type of protection title insurance can provide you, talk to your lawyer, title insurance company or insurance agent/broker to determine whether or not you should purchase title insurance or if other options exist. Once you get all the facts, you can make an informed decision based on your specific situation and needs.

Who is protected with Title Insurance?
Title insurance policies can be issued in favour of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Lenders will sometimes require title insurance as a condition of making the loan. Title insurance protects purchasers and/or lenders against loss or damage sustained if a claim that is covered under the terms of the policy is made.

What does Title Insurance cover?
For a risk to be covered, generally it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. As with any type of insurance policy, certain types of risks might not be covered, for example, native land claims and environmental hazards are normally excluded. Be sure to discuss with your lawyer what risks are covered and what are excluded.

How long is the insurance coverage?
Residential title insurance coverage lasts as long as you own the property. Most residential title insurance policies extend coverage to your heirs through a will, to a spouse in the event of a divorce, or to children when the property is transferred from parents to children for nominal consideration.

In the case of title insurance covering a lender, the policy remains in effect as long as the mortgage remains on title. A lender covered under a title insurance policy is insured in the event the lender realizes on its security and suffers actual loss or damage with respect to a risk covered under the policy. Lenders are usually covered up to the principal amount of the mortgage.

The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase). Generally speaking, in Canada the purchaser of the property pays for the title insurance, though there can be situations where the seller pays for it. Some policies automatically cover both the purchaser and lender; others will cover both for a small additional fee.

Protection and peace of mind
Title insurance can help ensure that a closing is not delayed due to defects in title. And, if an issue relating to title arises with respect to a risk covered under the policy, the title insurance covers the legal fees and expenses associated with defending the insured's title and pays in the event of loss. It is important to keep in mind that title insurance does not replace legal advice when purchasing property.

If your home is important to you, don't overlook this important piece of insurance.

If you'd like more information, click on this link from the insurers at http://www.firstcanadiantitle.com/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=3810&parentname=CommunityPage&parentid=0&mode=2&in_hi_userid=3675&cached=true First Canadian Title.