What is title insurance?

Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects against loss if the condition of title to the land is different than what was insured.

Why do I need title insurance? Is owner’s title insurance necessary?

When you buy a home or any property, you expect to enjoy certain benefits from ownership. For example, you expect to occupy and use the property as you wish, to be free from debts or obligations not created or agreed to by you, and to be able to freely sell or pledge your property as security for a loan. Title insurance is designed to cover these rights.

What if I have a problem? Do I have to lose my property to make a claim?

No. At the mere hint of a claim adverse to your title, contact your title insurer or the agent who issued your policy. Title insurance includes coverage for legal expenses which may be necessary to investigate, litigate, or settle an adverse claim.

What is the cost of title insurance?

The cost of title insurance varies, mainly depending on the value of the property. Remember, you only pay for the coverage once, then the coverage continues for as long as you have an interest in the covered property.

What does a standard title insurance policy cover?

• Forgery and impersonation;
• Lack of competency, capacity, or legal authority of a party;
• The deed is not joined in by a necessary party (co-owner, heir, spouse, corporate officer, or business partner);
• Undisclosed (but recorded) prior mortgage or lien;
• Undisclosed (but recorded) easement or use restriction;
• Erroneous or inadequate legal descriptions;
• Lack of a right of access;
• Deed not properly recorded.

What does an extended coverage policy of title insurance cover?

• Off-record matters, such as claims for adverse possession or prescriptive easement;
• Deed to land with buildings encroaching on land of another;
• Incorrect survey;
• Silent (off-record) liens (such as mechanics’ or estate tax liens);
• Pre-existing violations of subdivision laws, zoning ordinances or covenants and restrictions.

What risks are covered by Monarch Title Companies’ insurance policy?

Subject to availability in your locale, Monarch Title Company covers:

• Post-policy forgery;
• Forced removal of improvements due to lack of building permit (subject to deductible);
• Post-policy construction of improvements by a neighbor onto insured land; and
• Location and dimensions of insured land (survey not required).

If you should die, the coverage automatically continues for the benefit of your heirs. If you sell your property, giving warranties of title to the new buyer, your coverage continues. Likewise, if a buyer gives you a mortgage to finance a purchase of covered property from you, your coverage continues to protect your security interest in the property.

If my lender gets title insurance for its mortgage, why do I need a separate policy for myself?

The lender’s policy covers only the amount of the loan, which is usually not the full property value. In the event of an adverse claim, the lender would ordinarily not be concerned unless its loan became non-performing and the claim threatened the lender’s ability to foreclose and recover its principal and interest. And, in the event of a claim there is no provision for payment of legal expenses for an uninsured party. When a loan policy is being issued, the small additional expense of an owner’s policy is a bargain.

Can you be a little more specific about the types of claims, or risks, covered by title insurance?

First, there are basically three different levels of coverage: standard coverage, extended coverage, and our most comprehensive coverage.

Will the ordering process change with the new RESPA requirements?

Mostly, no. Most of the changes involve how and when information is provided by the lender to the borrower. Monarch Title’s role is affected in that much of the information the lender uses for the GFE originates with us. The initial information that the realtor or lender needs to provide us remains much the same though. Our online ordering system is being redesigned to make it even easier than before for you to place your order with us and know that the information is complete and ready for processing.