Definition of "How to get title insurance"

Kim Bergland real estate agent

Written by

Kim Berglandelite badge icon

Red Horse Real Estate

You’ve read all about how to stop a lien on your property, which convinced yourself that title insurance is a must. But now you’re wondering how to get title insurance. Where do you buy one? Is it something you must ask your real estate agent?

Well, you can, but he will probably answer what we’re about to answer, as real estate agents do not sell title insurance: whenever you enter the closing process and sign the purchase agreement, your escrow agent will launch the process of getting it (if you want to). The escrow agent or your attorney will choose which of the five major US title insurance companies will underwrite your policy.

How much will it cost to get title insurance? Differently from other types of insurance, with title insurance you typically pay a one-time fee of about $1,000 – but this amount can change from state-to-state. FYI, this fee is typically included in the closing costs, so that’s why the escrow agent is the one who asks you if it should be included. Another thing that will be asked to you is if you want both kinds of title insurance: the owner’s policy and the lender’s policy.

The Lender’s policy is typically required by most lenders in order to secure your mortgage. It’s a type of insurance for them to continue getting their loan amortization should a problem with your title arrive. And the owner’s policy is what most people are referring to when they talk about title insurance: in the event of a title problem, they cover the home buyer’s costs with the problem.

Fun fact: the normal would be, of course, that the home buyer pays for both kinds of title insurances, right? However, there are some states where it’s either negotiable who gets to pay, or the home seller is the one who pays for these insurance fees. The thinking behind it is that the home seller should be the one giving away a clean title, so he’s the one who should be responsible for covering everyone should a problem arise.

So, as you can see, it’s pretty simple to learn how to get title insurance. What’s very important is that you do get one. Just like that old phrase says: better be late than sorry!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Questions

Popular Insurance Glossary Terms

Coverage for automobiles used by a business when a liability judgment arises out of the use of the automobile, or the automobile is subject to damage or destruction. The business can select ...

Coverage for the inside of an insured premises of a business firm if it experiences a loss of money, securities, personal property, and damage or destruction of real or personal property ...

Four-year institution of higher learning. The degree programs include insurance, risk management, actuarial science, and financial services. ...

Deduction allowed for gifts and bequests to a spouse for federal estate and gift tax purposes. Under the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA), the deduction became unlimited. Prior to ...

Time limit on the deferred ownership of property such that, 21 years after the property owner dies, the deferred ownership of that property terminates. ...

Coverage providing protection for a business against loss from a hazard under the On-Premises Form, that provides all risk protection against the loss of money and securities; or the ...

Insurance policy designed to provide coverage for the deductible amount and the coinsurance amount required to be paid by the medicare recipient. Some of these policies will also continue ...

Period, set by law, after which a damage claim cannot be made. Limits are set by individual states and usually range from one to seven years. ...

Care in a sanitarium, nursing home, or other facility designed to provide custodial care on behalf of the mental and physical well-being of the patient. The cost may or may not be provided ...