The Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and Title Insurance

When purchasing a property, there are several factors to consider. Finding the proper house and obtaining finance may be pretty difficult. You must get the appropriate insurance to ensure that your new home is adequately covered.

While title insurance and house insurance are two separate and different forms of insurance, many Canadian homeowners confuse the two. You'll need homeowner's insurance as well as title insurance for your home. These are very different and provide varying levels of protection for you and your house. Even if you don't know the difference, it's critical that you do and carry both to avoid some unpleasant surprises down the line.

Here's all you need to know about title insurance and house insurance, as well as how they vary.

Title Insurance

You've undoubtedly thought about what "title" means in the context of title insurance. The term "title" refers to having legal ownership of a piece of property. When the former owner signs the deed and transfers the property to you, you acquire the title.

In Canada, every title is recorded in the government's land registration system.

In the context mentioned above, title insurance is an insurance policy that covers both property owners and lenders through an owner's policy and a loan/lender policy, respectively. In this article, we'll talk about the owner's policy.

A one-time cost is charged when you acquire title insurance, which is usually done at the same time as you buy your property. However, title insurance may be purchased at any time after a property is purchased.

What is covered by title insurance?

A title insurance coverage protects you against various damages, including title problems that you were unaware of. It also saves you from liens on the property owing to unpaid obligations from the prior owner.

Encroachment concerns, such as if your backyard shed is really on your neighbour’s land and has to be removed, are covered by title insurance. It also covers survey mistakes and title fraud, which occurs when someone obtains your property's title using a fake identity and then obtains a mortgage or sells the property without your knowledge.

It also safeguards you against any future title difficulties that may affect your ability to sell, lease, or mortgage your property. The "duty to defend" provision of title insurance covers legal fees incurred when dealing with title disputes.

The title insurance coverage is valid as long as you own the property. In addition, your insurance is likely to cover your heirs in the event of a will or a divorced spouse.

What does title insurance not cover?

Always read your policy carefully to understand what your title insurance covers. Environmental concerns (such as polluted soil) and zoning bylaw breaches may be excluded (like if you finish your basement without a permit, etc.)

Two Kinds of Title Insurance

An owner's policy and a lender's policy are the two most common forms of title insurance policies. An owner's policy is required for homeowners, while a lender's policy protects your lender against any damages.

A Lender's Policy: Your lender may require you to acquire this policy. This insurance protects just your lender from legitimate claims on the title to your property since your lender has an interest in the property until you pay them back. This insures your mortgage lender for the total amount of your loan.

An Owner's Policy: This policy protects you in the event that someone files a legitimate claim against your property. This is an optional purchase that protects you and your heirs for as long as you or your heirs own the property. This coverage will reimburse you for the cost of your house.