Title Insurance

What is Title to Property?
Title is the legal term for ownership of property. Buyers want "good and marketable" title to a property - good title means title appropriate for the buyer's purposes; marketable title means title the buyer can convey to someone else. Prior to closing, public records are "searched" to determine the previous ownership of the property, as well as prior dealings related to it. The search might reveal, for example, existing mortgages, liens for outstanding taxes, utility charges, etc., registered against the property. At closing the buyer expects property that is free of such claims, so normally they must be cleared up before closing. For example, the seller's mortgage will be discharged and outstanding monetary expenses (such as taxes and utility charges) will be paid for (or adjusted for) at closing.

Sometimes problems (or defects) regarding title are not discovered before closing, or are not remedied before closing. Such defects can make the property less marketable when the buyer subsequently sells and, depending on the nature of the problem, can also cost money to remedy. For example, the survey might have failed to show that a dock and boathouse built on a river adjoining a vacation property was built without permission. The buyer of the property could be out-of-pocket if he is later forced to remove the dock and boathouse. Or, the property might have been conveyed to a previous owner fraudulently, in which case there is the risk that the real owner may come forward at some point and demand their rights with respect to the property.

Who is Protected With Title Insurance?
Title insurance policies can be issued in favor of a purchaser (on new/resale homes, condos and vacation properties), a lender, or both the purchaser and lender. Lenders will sometimes require title insurance as a condition of making the loan. Title insurance protects purchasers and/or lenders against loss or damage sustained if a claim that is covered under the terms of the policy is made.

Types of risks that are usually covered under a title insurance policy include:

  • survey irregularities;
  • forced removal of existing structures;
  • claims due to fraud, forgery or duress;
  • unregistered easements and rights of-way;
  • lack of pedestrian or vehicular access to the property;
  • work orders; zoning and set back non-compliance or deficiencies; etc.

For a risk to be covered, generally it has to have existed as of the date of the policy. The insured purchaser is indemnified for actual loss of damage sustained up to the amount of the policy, which is based on the purchase price. As well, some policies have inflation coverage, which means that if the fair market value of the property increases, the policy amount will also increase (up to a set maximum).


What Does Title Insurance Not Cover?
When purchasing title insurance, it is important to read the policy and ask questions to be aware of the coverage that is provided. You also need to be aware of possible exclusions, which may include:

  • Known title defects (that were revealed to you before you purchased your property);
  • Environmental hazards (e.g. soil contamination);
  • Native land claims;
  • Problems that would only be discovered by a new survey or inspection of your property (e.g. the property is smaller than originally thought);
  • Matters that are not listed in public records (e.g. unrecorded liens and encroachments); and
  • Zoning bylaw violations from changes, renovations or additions to your property or land that you are responsible for creating.

You need to carefully review your title insurance policy, as it may include additional exclusions and exceptions that are specific to your property. Title insurance does not provide compensation for non-title related issues. It is not a home warranty or home insurance policy, and will not provide compensation for:

  • Damages due to flooding, fire or sewer backup;
  • General wear and tear of your home (e.g. replacing old windows, a leaky roof, or an old furnace);
  • Theft (e.g. a burglar breaks into your home and steals your television); and
  • Other losses or damages due to non-title related issues.

Refer to your title insurance policy for a full list of exclusions, restrictions, and terms and conditions.


How Long is the Insurance Coverage?
In the case of title insurance covering the purchaser, title insurance remains in effect as long as the insured purchaser has title to the land. Some policies also protect those who received title as a result of the purchaser's death, or certain family members (e.g., a spouse or children) to whom the property may have been transferred for a nominal consideration.

In the case of title insurance covering a lender, the policy remains in effect as long as the mortgage remains on title. A lender covered under a title insurance policy is insured in the event the lender realizes on its security and suffers actual loss or damage with respect to a risk covered under the policy. Lenders are usually covered up to the principal amount of the mortgage.

The premium for title insurance is paid once (at the time of purchase). Generally speaking, in Canada the purchaser of the property pays for the title insurance, though there can be situations where the seller pays for it. Some policies automatically cover both the purchaser and lender; others will cover both for a small additional fee.

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