Title Insurance policies insure titles to real property for owners and mortgage lenders and provide the following protections:

a) Payment of loss arising from hidden defects not found during a title examination or recording.

b) Payment of legal expenses incurred to clear title defects, which threaten the lender or owner with loss.

c) Assurance that the marketability of the property remains unimpaired from title defects.

Policies are issued based upon a search and review of the public land records and other relevant documents.  A thorough examination is performed to determine title ownership and any other matters affecting the property title and use of that property.  Items that may affect a title include easements, restrictions, rights of way and judgment liens.

The coverage provided by a title policy is long-lived.  The mortgage holder continues to be protected upon foreclosure of the insured mortgage or deed of trust.  The owner of real estate is insured for as long as he or she owns the property, is the holder of a purchase money mortgage or deed of trust secured by the property, or is liable under the warranties included in his or her deed to convey the property.