What is title insurance?

Title insurance protects you against losses arising from defects in the title to your property. These defects can include unpaid liens from prior owners, errors in public records, undisclosed heirs with a claim to the property, forged documents, or problems with prior transfers. Unlike other insurance policies that protect against future events, title insurance protects against past events that were unknown at the time of purchase.

How is title insurance different from homeowner's insurance?

Homeowner's insurance covers what happens to the property after you buy it: fire, storms, theft. Title insurance covers what happened to the ownership before you bought it: an unpaid lien, a forged deed, an heir nobody knew about. One looks forward, one looks back, and you need both.

Do I need title insurance if I'm paying cash?

A lender requires a lender's policy to protect the loan. With no lender, nobody requires anything, so the choice is yours. An owner's policy is the only protection you would have if a claim against the title surfaces after closing, and a cash buyer has the most of their own money at stake.

What is a title search?

A review of the public records for the property, going back decades: deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, and tax records. The search is how we find anything that could affect your ownership before you close, so it can be cleared first.

What does an owner's policy cover?

Losses from defects in the title that existed before you bought and were not found in the search: forged or improperly recorded documents, unknown heirs, undisclosed liens, and errors in the public record. It also covers the cost of defending your title if someone makes a claim.

What is the difference between a standard and an enhanced policy?

A standard policy covers title defects that existed before you bought. An enhanced policy adds coverage for certain problems that can surface after closing, such as encroachments, zoning and permit violations, and some post-closing risks. The comparison is on our Enhanced vs Standard page.

How long does coverage last?

An owner's policy lasts as long as you or your heirs own the property. It is a one-time premium paid at closing, with nothing to renew.

How much does title insurance cost?

The premium is based on the purchase price, or the loan amount for a lender's policy, at rates filed with the state. It is paid once at closing. Use the Get a Quote calculator for an estimate on your transaction.

Who pays for title insurance?

In both New York and New Jersey, the buyer typically pays on a purchase and the borrower pays on a refinance. On a purchase your contract of sale controls, and we will confirm the split on your file.

Is a lender's policy the same as an owner's policy?

No. A lender's policy protects the lender's loan and decreases as the loan is paid down. An owner's policy protects your equity. If you only buy the lender's policy, you are not covered.

When should I order title?

As soon as the contract is signed. Ordering early gives the search time to surface anything that needs to be cleared before the closing date.

How long does the title process take?

Three business days from when we receive your order to the complete title work, in both New York and New Jersey.

What do I need to bring to closing?

A government-issued photo ID, your funds for closing in the form your closer specifies, and any documents your closer asked for in advance. Your closer sends the list before the day.

Everything you need to understand title

How the process works, what your policy actually covers, and answers to the questions we hear most often.

The Title Process

From contract to closing, here's what happens

Title work runs in the background of every real estate transaction. These are the six steps that move a property from contract to a clean, insured closing.

Order placed
Your agent, lender, or attorney submits the title order. We confirm receipt and assign a closer to the file, one point of contact from start to finish.
Title search
Our team searches public records going back 60 or more years, including deeds, mortgages, liens, judgments, easements, and tax records. Every encumbrance on the property gets identified.
Title examination
A licensed examiner reviews the search results for defects, gaps in the chain of title, and anything that could affect ownership. Issues are flagged before they become closing-table surprises.
Commitment issued
We issue a title commitment, a formal promise to insure. It lists the coverage terms and any remaining exceptions that need to be resolved before closing can proceed.
Curative work
Open liens, estate issues, judgment clearances, and gap problems are handled in-house by our curative team. We resolve them before you sit down at the table, not after.
Closing & policy issued
Documents are signed, funds disbursed, and instruments recorded with the county. Your owner's policy, and the lender's policy if applicable, is issued and on file.

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NOTICE STATEMENT. Rates and charges herein are subject to change based on the rates in effect at the time of closing. The lender or other party may require the performance of additional services which are not necessary services in connection with the issuance of the title policy. Please note that the issuance of the title policy is not dependent upon the performance of such additional services.

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This is an estimate based on the information provided and current published rates. Final figures are confirmed on the title bill at closing.

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