Which companies provide title insurance in Ontario and does it matter which I use?

The two largest title insurance providers in Ontario are FCT (First Canadian Title) and Stewart Title Guaranty Company. Both are established, regulated insurers operating under federal and provincial insurance legislation. Other providers exist as well. All title insurers in Ontario must be licensed under applicable insurance legislation, which provides a baseline of regulatory oversight.

Policy wording differs between providers, and coverage terms, exclusions, and endorsements can vary. For most standard residential purchases, the differences between major providers are modest, and your lawyer may have a preferred working relationship with one or both. That said, you are entitled to ask your lawyer which insurer they are using and whether you can see the policy wording before committing.

Your lawyer owes you a duty to obtain reasonable title insurance for your transaction. In practice, many real estate lawyers have automated systems that generate title insurance orders through their preferred provider as part of the closing package. If you have a preference or a specific question about coverage (such as whether a particular risk in your transaction is covered), raise it with your lawyer before closing. Cost differences between providers are usually small relative to the overall coverage, so the quality of coverage terms matters more than finding the cheapest premium.