Title Insurance - Is It Needed and Who Does It Protect?

This is an area generally covered by your lawyer, but it plays a prominent role in a high percentage of real estate sales. Occassionally problems and defects regarding the property are not discovered prior to closing, but become major issues after you complete the purchase. Such matters are often costly to remedy, but more importantly can make the property less marketable when you subsequently look to sell. In short, TITLE INSURANCE provides coverage against such problems and helps cover the financial consequences which arise as a result.

Title insurance can be issued on behalf of both the purchaser and the lender, or both. Lenders will often require title insurance as a condition of approving a mortgage. Types of risk typically covered include:

• Survey irregularities
• Removal of existing structures
• Unregistered easements
• Set back or side yard non-compliance
• Zoning restrictions
• Right-Of-Way matters
• Fraud or forgery
• Fundamental Title Issues

As with any type of insurance, certain risks may not be covered. Be sure to discuss with your lawyer what risks are covered/excluded, and take the time to read the policy. Premiums will vary, but it is relatively inexpensive and well worth the investment.

Title insurance can often help ensure that a closing is not delayed due to a defect in title, especially one that arises right at the time of closing. It has become a widely accepted practice throughout the Ontario real estate industry and one that we strongly endorse.

We welcome any feedback that you may have had with Title Insurance – good or bad! And as always just reach out to us, if you would like to get connected to Windsor-Essex and learn more about our local market opportunities.

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Mark Lalovich
mark@lalovichrealestate.com
Office: (519) 966-0444
Cell: (519) 259-5434