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Texas Department of Insurance
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What is title insurance? Why do I need it for my new house?

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Title insurance protects you from problems with an ownership title when you buy real estate. These may be problems that existed before the purchase, such as: (1) unpaid property taxes, (2) fraud or forgery of previous paperwork, or (3) a spouse or unknown heir who claims they own the property.

Title companies search for problems with the title that need to be corrected before you buy the property. If there’s a challenge to your ownership later, your title company will handle the dispute.

Why you need title insurance

  1. It’s not homeowners insurance

    • Title insurance: Protects your ownership of the property. You pay the premium one time, when you close on the sale of the property.
    • Homeowners insurance: Protects you from losses due to fire, weather, other types of property damage, or theft. You pay your homeowners premium every year.

  2. There are two kinds of title policies

    • Owner’s policy: Protects the homeowner. It’s good for as long as you own the property.
    • Loan policy: Protects the rights of the lender. It’s good until the loan is paid off.

  3. The policy is standard

    In Texas, title policy language is the same no matter which title company you use. Coverage begins immediately, but you won’t get a paper copy of the policy until about 30 days after you close on your house. Read the policy carefully and ask the company if you have any questions. Keep it with other important documents for your house.

  4. The rates are set

    All Texas companies charge the same rates for title insurance. There may be differences in some closing cost fees. The cost of an owner’s policy is based on the property’s sale price. The cost of a loan policy is based on the amount of the loan.

  5. You can use any title company

    Your real estate agent, builder, or lender may recommend a title company, but you can choose any company you want. Make sure the title agent is licensed by TDI. To check, you can:

    • Call our Help Line at 800-252-3439.
    • Check on our reports page. Click on “Title / escrow licensing.”

Fraud alert

Real estate transactions can be a target for wire transfer fraud. Follow these tips to help protect yourself when you make electronic transfers or payments:

  • Get a contact name, email address, and phone number for everyone involved in the transaction, including the real estate agent, lender, and title insurer.
  • Verify the electronic payment instructions with your title agent.
  • Beware of any email that asks you to respond immediately or tells you that electronic payment details have been updated.
  • After you make an electronic payment, immediately confirm that it was received.

Resources

 

Questions? Call us at 800-252-3439.

Last updated: 3/27/2024