Title insurance

Title insurance

Insurance policy that protects a policyholder from future challenges to the title claim a property that may result in loss of the property.

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Title insurance. Title insurance protects your lender's interest in your home and real property in case its ownership is contested in court.

Before you close on any property purchase, your lender will require a title search -- an examination of all the property records by an attorney or title company, to ensure that the seller owns the property and has the right to sell it.

But just in case something is not revealed in the title search, your lender will usually require you to obtain title insurance as added protection until you have paid off your mortgage. You may also choose to purchase additional insurance to protect your own title and claim to the property.

Usually, you pay for title insurance as a one-time cost at closing. While some states regulate title insurance costs, others don't.