“Title insurance protects you and your lender if someone challenges your title to your property because of title defects that were unknown when you bought the policy. Most lending institutions will not loan money to purchase a house or other property unless you buy a "mortgagee" title policy. This policy protects the lender´s investment by paying the mortgage (loan amount) if a title defect voids your title. When you buy a house, the title company also issues an owner´s policy, unless you reject it in writing. The owner´s title policy protects you against the covered risks set out in the policy. Read your policy carefully. Check the title policy´s legal description of your land against your survey and your earnest money contract before the closing. Your title policy tells you how to file a claim and describes your coverage, including limitations, exclusions, exceptions, and special conditions.”
Title is transferred from the seller to the buyer at closing with a “deed” signed by the seller. The deed is then recorded at the courthouse. Title insurance provides protection for the buyer in the event that the seller was not the legal owner, had judgments against him, or failed to disclose or was unaware of liens against the property. Title insurance provides protection against challenges to your property title.