Owner’s title insurance protects your investment in your property from certain future legal claims regarding ownership of your property. For a one-time fee, you and your heirs receive coverage for as long as you own your home. The owner’s policy also covers potential legal fees and court costs for settling claims covered by your policy.

The lender’s policy covers only the amount of its loan, which is usually not the full property value. In the event of an adverse claim, the lender would ordinarily not be concerned unless its loan became non-performing and the claim threatened the lender’s ability to foreclose and recover its principal and interest. And, in the event of a claim, there is no provision for payment of legal expenses for an uninsured party. When a loan policy is being issued, the small additional expense of an owner’s policy is a bargain.

There are three different levels of coverage: Standard coverage, extended coverage, and our most comprehensive “EAGLE Policy” coverage. Standard coverage handles such risks as: Forgery and impersonation; Lack of competency, capacity or legal authority of a party; Deed not joined in by a necessary party (co-owner, heir, spouse, corporate officer, or business partner); Undisclosed (but recorded) prior mortgage or lien; Undisclosed (but recorded) easement or use restriction; Erroneous or inadequate legal descriptions; Lack of a right of access; and Deed not properly recorded.