What Title Insurance Company Should You Be Choosing?
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that most people are going to make in their lifetime. As such, it’s important that you make sure your investment is protected properly. Title insurance can provide protection against certain problems with a property’s title, including issues that may not become apparent until after the purchase has been completed.
But, with so many title insurance companies available, deciding which one to use isn’t always straightforward. Large national providers offer extensive networks and resources, where smaller regional companies may provide a more personalized service. The right choice is going to depend on where you are buying, the type of transaction that you’re completing, and the level of support you expect.
There are a number of factors that you should be considering when it comes to choosing one of these companies, including their reputation, experience, the range of services, technology, and the price. So, we’ve written this guide to give you our shortlist. In this article, we’re going to be looking at some of the best title insurance companies that we’ve come across, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Time to Close Title
Time to Close Title is a Florida-based title insurance and real estate closing company that works with a range of people including buyers, sellers, lenders, and other real estate professionals. The company provides a range of services covering different stages of the property transaction process, including title searches and examinations, title insurance, escrow, and closing services.
One of the most important parts of their offering is helping customers identify potential issues with the title before the transaction goes through. The title search and examination services are designed to uncover issues such as ownership concerns, liens, and encumbrances, while title insurance can provide protection against certain covered issues.
They combine technology with traditional title examination processes. The company says this approach is designed to improve efficiency while retaining professional oversight. It also places an emphasis on communication and personalized support throughout the closing process.
Pros:
Time to Close Title provides title searches, examinations, title insurance, escrow, and closing services all in the same place
They focus on Florida real estate makes it particularly relevant for customers completing property transactions within the state
Experience team members make it a fantastic option
There is a range of support for different customers
They offer post closing assistance, not just help while the process is going on
Cons:
For those outside of Florida, this company is not going to be the best choice as they focus on the Florida market
Price can vary depending on the individual transaction, so requesting a specific quote is important
Complex transactions are going to take longer due to their complex nature, so don’t expect a super fast turnaround with every service
Fidelity National Title
Fidelity National Title Insurance Company is one of the major title insurance and real estate companies in the US. The history of this company dates back to over 150 years, and it operates through a range of offices throughout the US.
The company provides title insurance, underwriting, escrow, and closing services. They do this for a wide range of customers, including homebuyers, sellers, lenders, developers, attorneys, and more. The services cover both residential and commercial transactions, making it broader in scope than some of the smaller, local title companies.
They also provide a range of related services that customers can explore if they are interested in any of them. This rounds off their offering, ensuring that people are able to get everything they need in the same palace. For customers that want an established title insurance provider with extensive national coverage, this is certainly a good choice.
Pros:
This company has extensive experience in the industry, with over 150 years on their side
They provide their services throughout a large portion of the US
Their service offering is broad, helping customers to get everything they need in the same place
They have online tools and resources helpful for people to use when they need information
Cons:
Customers who would prefer a small, independent company focusing on personal relationships are unlikely to find that here
Experience can vary by location due to their large network of offices
The broad range of services can quickly become overwhelming for some people
Stewart Title
Stewart Title is a global real estate services business, also dating back more than 100 years ago. They provide title insurance, specialist real estate risk solutions, and more for property transactions where additional protection against title related risks is required.
The goal of title insurance is to protect against certain risks connected with the title of a property. Depending on the property, this can include things like fraud, ownership disputes, forgery, and more. The protection will be outlined in the policy and its terms and conditions, so it's imperative that you check these before you sign anything.
Stewart’s offer includes title insurance, underwriting, and specialist risk solutions. With their considerable expertise in complex transactions, they are able to tackle all sorts of cases.
Pros:
Strong focus on title insurance
They are a UK regulated company and therefore adhere to the policies set by authorizing bodies
They have a lot of expertise with complex transactions, ensuring they can provide specialist support for these cases
Specialist risk protection where it’s needed
Cons:
Policy terms are important - not every policy covers every possible problem. Check the terms, conditions, and exclusions before signing anything
Purchasing title insurance can be costly
They might be more than needed for simple transactions and therefore can be overwhelming
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the options that you’ve got when it comes to choosing title insurance. We know that it’s hard to choose from a list of companies, but if you do your own research here you will be able to see exactly which option is going to be best for you and your needs at this time.