What Is Title Insurance — and Do I Really Need It?
This month’s Ask the Title Agent question comes from homeowners and buyers alike:
“What exactly is title insurance, and do I need it?”
Great question — and one that comes up in almost every real estate transaction. To help break it down, Kim Lazard at Vision Land Title, who handles these questions every day gives us the break down.
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance protects you from financial loss if a problem is discovered with the ownership history of your property. Before closing, the title company researches public records to make sure the seller has the legal right to transfer the home — but sometimes issues don’t show up until later.
Title insurance covers things like:
- Unknown liens
- Errors in public records
- Undisclosed heirs
- Forged documents
- Boundary or survey disputes
- Past ownership claims
In short, it protects your ownership rights and your investment.
Do You Really Need It?
Yes — and here’s why.
Unlike other types of insurance that protect you from future events, title insurance protects you from past events that could affect your ownership today. Even the most thorough title search can’t guarantee that every issue will be uncovered.
For a one‑time fee at closing, you get long‑term protection for as long as you own the home. Most lenders require a lender’s policy, but the owner’s policy is what protects you — and it’s absolutely worth having.
Have More Questions? Ask Kim!
If you’d like to learn more about title insurance or have a specific situation, you’re unsure about…
Email Kim Lazard at VisionLand T
itle:
📧 klazard@visionlandtitle.com
Your question might even be featured in next month’s Ask the Title Agent.
