What is title insurance?

Title insurance is the application of insurance principles to hazards inherent in real estate titles. That's a legalistic definition, we know. But in the century that title insurance has been used, no one in or out of the title insurance industry has ever been able to completely define title insurance in short, lay terms. Actually, the definition is the composite of answers to following questions.

What is "title"?

Why does buying a home differ from all other purchases?

What are some of the limitations and restrictions commonly imposed on land?

What is meant by a title defect?

Why should I protect the home I buy with title insurance?

Is title insurance always used in property transfers?

Why isn't an attorney's opinion sufficient if he or she has examined the title?

Why won't a General Warranty Deed fully protect me?

What's wrong with an abstract?

The contract I signed makes the sale subject to title to the property's being good. Doesn't that protect me?

If the real estate broker says the title is good, isn't that enough?

An attorney usually represents the mortgage lender. Won't that attorney look out for my interests too?

If I retain an attorney, can't I be assured that my title is good?

When I buy a home and have it financed, should I still have title insurance to safeguard my purchase?

When I buy a home and the deed is recorded in a record room, wouldn't that prove that I own the home I bought?

Is title insurance as important as fire insurance?

Does title insurance protect the safety of my investment and the security of my home?

Why don't we see title losses reported in the newspapers?

Are there several kinds of title insurance?

How much does title insurance cost?

Does the title insurance premium cover the fee for searching the title?

When I buy a home and protect it with title insurance, what happens in the event someone should challenge my ownership of the property five or ten years after the purchase?

What should I do in order to make sure the home I buy will be safeguarded with title insurance?

If the person I am buying from has title insurance, why do I also need it?

How does title insurance help protect my home investment?

How does title insurance protect both me and my heirs and devisees?

Do many people actually lose their homes because of title defects?

Are all titles insurable?