Title insurance is an indemnity insurance that protects lenders and home buyers against financial loss caused by faults in a property's title.
When you buy a new property in Australia, you will receive a title, which is documentation that certifies your legal ownership. Usually, a conveyancer or solicitor will do a title search throughout the purchase process. They will verify that there are no competing ownership claims on the property, that boundary lines have been established legally, taxes have been paid, and so on.
When an issue arises in one of these domains, title insurance comes into play.
Before purchasing title insurance, you should know the terms and factors. In this article, we explore these considerations and discover more about title insurance.
Understanding Clear Title and Title Search
A clean title is required for all real estate transactions. Before issuing a title, a title insurance company must do a check to see whether there are any claims or liens against it.
A title search is a study of public documents to establish and validate the legal ownership of a property and any third-party claims on the property. Inaccurate surveys and unresolved construction code violations are two examples of title defects.
Types Of Title Insurance
Property title insurance is classified into two types: lender's title insurance and owner's title insurance, which includes extended plans.
Lender's Title Insurance
Almost all lenders need the borrower to get a lender's title insurance to safeguard the lender if the seller cannot lawfully transfer ownership rights. A lender's insurance coverage solely protects the lender against loss. In addition, an issued insurance policy issues mark the conclusion of a title search, giving the buyer some certainty.
Owner's Title Insurance
Because title searches are not perfect and the owner is still in danger of financial loss, there is a need for supplementary protection in the form of an owner's title insurance policy. While lender's title insurance is essential for obtaining a mortgage loan, owner's title insurance, which the seller gets to safeguard the buyer against title flaws, is optional.
Once you have the property ownership, you should consider purchasing this title insurance. To explain, you will own more of your residential property as you keep paying your mortgage. As a result, you stand to lose more if a claim is filed. This is especially vital if you want to spend significant time at home.
How Does Title Insurance Differ From Other Insurances?
Title insurance is different from regular house and contents insurance in several aspects. To begin, while house and contents insurance covers the actual structure of your home and your goods from harm, title insurance protects you from lawsuits against the property title itself. These lawsuits might range from notifications to fix deficiencies to overdue rates from a previous owner.
Furthermore, unlike home and contents insurance policies, which require owners to pay premium costs yearly, title insurance is typically a one-time payment.
After it is paid, you will not have to pay additional premiums.
Who Needs Title Insurance?
Without title insurance, transacting entities are exposed to severe risk in the case of a title problem. For example, if you're a home buyer who, after closing, finds that your dream home is riddled with unpaid land taxes from the previous owner.
Title insurance provides several benefits. First, as the value of properties has risen, so have the cases of fraud and forgery, unauthorised building activities, and other title defects that are more likely to have a significant financial impact.
You might need title insurance if you belong to any of these four categories:
- Home Owners: Title insurance protects homeowners and current owners of residential property from financial loss caused by flaws in a property title, such as ongoing lawsuits and liens, as well as other known or unknown risks.
- Commercial Property Owners: With title insurance, you can protect your commercial property against encroachment, unpaid bills, or fines.
- Mortgage Lenders: Title insurance for mortgage lenders safeguards you against difficulties with the title to your property, such as a judicial claim against the residence.
When a title defect is found through the traditional conveyancing process, a home buyer's options can be roughly summarised as follows:
- Before the Contract Exchange: The home buyer can decide against proceeding or attempt to negotiate a price decrease;
- After the Contract Exchange: The home buyer has a right to retract (under restricted situations) or demand compensation after the exchange.
Without title protection, a home buyer will have to bear the financial strain of overdue tax claims. In contrast with title protection, the buyer is protected by a title insurance policy for as long as they own or have a stake in the property. Likewise, title insurance the lender provides protects banks and other mortgage brokers from unrecorded liens, unregistered access rights, and other unknown risks.
What Does Title Insurance Cover?
Title insurance from a reputed insurance provider can protect prospective and existing owners from the financial consequences of situations such as:
- Unauthorised or non-compliant structure constructions identified on the site, including buildings, developed or improvements conducted without council approval by previous owners.
- Lapses by local councils or conveyancing professionals made mistakes in declaring some costs, such as pending rates and property taxes.
- Forcible and compulsory land acquisitions by the government, if the administration has the power to take all or portion of your land before you acquired it.
- Inaccurate public records for historical concerns, clearances, drainage, and sewage problems.
- Mistakes and intrusions at the boundary.
- Another individual staking claim or interests through a mortgage, judicial order, easement, lease, agreement, option, right of ownership, or access rights to the land.
- Anyone else registering a right or interest in the property's title that prohibits you from becoming the rightful owner.
- Another person's deception, fraud, forgery, or incorrect paperwork signature or filing.
- Inadequate legal, fraud, land by foot or car.
- No authorised water supply or drainage on the land.
- Prohibitive covenants, limitations, or easements that are not recorded in public limit your land use.
- Zoning infractions that restrict you from living on the property; and
- Subdivision law infractions imply that an error happened in the past when your home was divided into its unit of property.
What Is Not Covered?
Title insurance will not cover anything that home and contents and other insurance policies already cover, such as:
- The same things as a house and contents insurance coverage. For instance, property damage caused by flooding, storms, fires, pests, or vandalism.
- Liabilities you create, authorise, or accept.
- Liabilities that do not result in a loss.
It is advisable to seek a separate house and contents insurance policy to cover these hazards since title insurance does not cover risks you create or consent to.
Does Title Insurance Cover Pest And Building Inspections?
No, a pest and building inspection is implemented as part of the transaction due diligence process.
Title insurance doesn't substitute for a pest and building inspection. However, pest and building inspections may not always detect illegal construction. Therefore, revealing any unauthorised construction works and building report is critical when obtaining title insurance.
Title Insurance Cost
A few insurance companies in Australia provide title insurance: First Title, Stewart Title Limited and First American Title Insurance Company of Australia. Title insurance is purchased with a one-off payment that varies depending on the location and value of the new property.
For instance, according to Stewart Title's premium schedule, the premium for a $1.25 million to $1.5 million residential property in Queensland would be $1,678.83. In contrast, the same property in New South Wales would cost $1,439.01. Therefore, if you want a quotation for your property, you should contact a title insurer directly to obtain one.
According to First Title's policy documentation, the cost of title insurance coverage on acquiring a $500,000 residential residence in New South Wales or Queensland is $450.70. It would be $454.80 in Victoria for First Title.
What To Consider Before Locking In A Title Insurance Policy
It is advisable to consider these three primary considerations when applying for title insurance.
How Much Insurance Will You Require?
Title insurance is simple and clear to obtain and has a simple application process. The one-off premium depends on the acquisition property's purchase price. The coverage value is based on your property's present value if you obtain title insurance after settlement.
While most policies have payment caps, they are structured to adequately cover costs you may otherwise be liable for as the property owner.
When Should You Get Title Insurance?
You may get title insurance when you buy your home or afterwards. Your insurance becomes active when you pay the policy and have property ownership. It then applies until you sell the land or transfer it to another person.
There are no ongoing premiums or excess to pay if you need to make a claim.
What Type Of Property Do You Want To Insure?
You must pick a trustworthy provider who provides you with a suitable policy matching the needs of your property type.
Property risks might vary depending on the property. For example, the issues with an empty lot may differ from those with an apartment in a significant metro estate. This is why companies categorise title insurance by property type, so you can be assured that all relevant factors have been considered.
Is Title Insurance Worth It?
The idea that title insurance exists with a one-off payment rather than a continuing expense may appeal to specific prospective or existing homeowners. However, whether it's worthwhile depends on your personal preferences. If you're considering whether title insurance is good enough to justify it, speak with your solicitor or conveyancer to see if the additional security suits you.
If you take out title insurance, you should also read the policy documentation and product disclosure statements to determine precisely what you will be insured for and excluded.
How Joust Can Help You Save On Your Home
Joust is a home loan platform that can match you with the correct lenders and agents for your requirements.
With our Instant Match tool, we can assist you in discovering the most suitable home loan and insurance options, as well as the lowest rates, depending on your specific profile, background and needs, possibly sparing you big bucks.
Note: The information in this article is general in nature and should not be considered personal or financial advice. You should always seek professional advice or assistance before making any financial decisions.
