What is the purpose of Title insurance in real estate transactions?

Title insurance serves a crucial role in real estate transactions by providing protection against unknown property issues. When you purchase a property, there may be hidden defects in the title that are not easily discoverable through a standard examination of the public records. These could include claims of ownership from previous owners, liens against the property, or other encumbrances that could affect your rights to the property.

By obtaining title insurance, buyers receive a safeguard that can help cover legal fees and other expenses associated with resolving such issues, ensuring that they have clear and marketable title to their property. Thus, in the event of a dispute or claim on the title, the insurance helps protect the buyer’s financial interests, making it a valuable asset in real estate transactions.

Other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of title insurance. For example, while a Real Property Report serves to verify property boundaries and dimensions, it does not protect against title issues. Similarly, title insurance does not cover property tax liabilities; these remain the responsibility of the property owner. Although title insurance can indirectly facilitate property sales by providing confidence to buyers and lenders, its primary purpose is to protect against unknown claims and issues related to the property title itself.