I have owned my home for years without title insurance — can I still get it?

Yes — in Ontario, it is possible to purchase title insurance after you have already owned a property for some time. This is sometimes called a "home owner" policy or a retrospective policy, and it is offered by major title insurers through a real estate lawyer. The process typically involves the lawyer conducting a current title search to confirm the state of title and identify any existing issues before the insurer will bind coverage.

This kind of policy is particularly worth considering if you bought your home at a time when title insurance was less common, if your property is mortgage-free (which may make it a more attractive target for fraud), or if you have concerns about your title based on something you have recently discovered (a dispute with a neighbour, a question about a past owner, etc.).

Coverage under a retrospective policy may differ from a policy purchased at the time of a transaction — for example, some known issues found in the current search may be excluded. Premiums are generally based on the current value of the property. Your real estate lawyer can arrange the policy and explain what it covers in your specific circumstances. Given the ongoing risk of title fraud in Ontario — particularly for long-time homeowners with substantial equity — the cost is often worthwhile.