What Is Title Insurance? Ultimate Guide
All about title, escrow, and closing services backed by in-house attorneys, secure technology, national underwriters, and local teams supporting buyers, sellers, and real estate agents.
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance helps protect homeowners and lenders from unexpected claims, unpaid debts, or legal issues that could affect ownership of a property. Common examples include unpaid liens, ownership disputes, and errors in public records that may not be discovered before closing. If a covered issue is found after closing, the policy can help pay for legal expenses and financial losses associated with resolving the problem. Learn more from the American Land Title Association, estimate your closing costs using our LendersAgent One calculator, learn more about why customers choose Lenders Title, or explore additional title insurance FAQs.
Title Insurance Types & Coverage
Title insurance protects buyers and mortgage lenders from financial loss caused by unforseen issues with a property's title.
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Owner's Coverage
Owner's title insurance is a specialized policy to protect your property rights and equity. Unlike typical insurance that covers future events, it shields you from past, undiscovered issues. It requires only a one-time premium paid at closing that protects you for the duration of your ownership.
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Lender's Coverage
Lender's title insurance is a mandatory policy purchased at closing to protect your bank's financial investment and mortgage lien from past, undiscovered issues. It requires only a one-time premium paid at closing that protects the lender for the duration of the mortgage loan.
What Coverage May Include
- Unpaid property taxes
- Undisclosed contractor liens
- Prior mortgage lines
- Child support liens
- IRS tax liens
- Invalid loan documents
- Legal defense fees
- Forgery or fraud
- Conflicting wills
- Long-lost heirs
- Defective notary stamps
- Mental incompetence
- Undisclosed co-owners
- Boundary line disputes
- Errors in public records
- Legal defense costs
Secure coverage now: Order Title Online
Title & Closing Company Services
Comprehensive title, escrow, and closing solutions for residential, investment (1031 exchanges), and commercial real estate transactions.
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Owner’s Title Insurance
Safeguards your homeownership equity against hidden pre-existing risks like fraud, forgery, unpaid liens, and missing heirs.
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Lender’s Title Insurance
Secures the mortgage lender's financial interest by guaranteeing the validity and priority of their loan lien position.
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Title Search & Examination
Meticulously audits public records, deeds, and court judgments to identify and cure title defects before closing.
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Escrow & Closing Services
Manages neutral fund distribution, legal document signing, loan payoffs, and local county property recording securely.
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Commercial Title Services
Navigates complex multi-property, zoning, and high-liability commercial transactions requiring advanced due diligence and underwriting.
Start your transaction: Order Title Online
How the Title Insurance Process Works
A simple, structured process designed for clarity at every step.
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1
Open Your Order
Submit property details, parties involved, and lender information.
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2
Complete the Title Search and Examination
We review public records to identify liens, ownership history, deeds, and recorded issues affecting title.
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3
Resolve Outstanding Requirements
If issues are found, we coordinate resolution before closing can proceed.
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4
Coordinate Escrow and Closing
We manage signing, escrow funds, disbursement, and recording with all parties involved.
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5
Issue the Title Policy
After recording, title insurance policies are issued based on underwriting requirements.
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Close and Receive Your Keys
Once recording is complete, funds are disbursed and the transaction is finalized. At that point, you take ownership and receive your keys!
How Much Will Your Transaction Cost?: Get a Quote
Who Pays for Closing Costs
Your contract controls who pays each cost, but here’s what’s customary to help prevent surprises at the closing table.
| Cost | Customarily paid by |
|---|---|
| Owner’s title insurance policy | Seller (negotiable) |
| Lender’s title insurance policy | Buyer |
| Title search & examination | Commonly split between buyer & seller |
| Closing / settlement fee | Commonly split between buyer & seller |
| Recording fees | The buyer typically pays for the mortgage recording, and the deed recording is typically paid for by the seller. |
This information is subject to change and dependent on your individual contract. Confirm specifics with your agent before closing.
For Buyers, Sellers, & Investors
What to Bring to Your Closing
A little preparation goes a long way toward a quick, stress-free closing day. To ensure everything runs smoothly, here is a quick checklist of what you should have ready. You can also click to explore answers to more common closing questions and title insurance details.
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Valid government-issued photo ID Everyone signing should bring a valid copy of your photo ID, as closing can’t proceed without it. Reach out to your local closing expert if you have questions about what constitutes as a valid U.S. identification document.
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Your funds Discuss with your realtor how you want to provide funds beforehand, either by wire transfer or certified/cashier’s check. Personal checks and cash are not accepted.
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Anything else your closing coordinator requested This could include payoff info for sellers, HOA documents, or power-of-attorney paperwork if someone is signing for another party. Just ask in advance if you aren’t sure.
What You May Need to Know
Clear answers to common questions about title insurance and closings.
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What is title insurance?
In layman's terms, title insurance helps protect homeowners and lenders from unexpected claims that could challenge their right to own a property. It can also help protect against certain unpaid debts or legal issues tied to a property's past, such as unpaid liens, ownership disputes, or errors in public records. If a covered issue is discovered after closing, the policy can help pay for legal expenses and financial losses associated with resolving the problem. Learn more from the American Land Title Association.
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Do I need title insurance?
If you're getting a mortgage, your lender will typically require lender's title insurance before they'll fund the loan. Owner's title insurance is usually optional, but without it you could be responsible for legal costs or financial losses if a covered title issue is discovered after closing. Many homeowners choose owner's coverage because it helps protect one of their largest investments for a one-time cost. Learn more about owner's and lender's title insurance coverage.
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What does title insurance cover?
In layman's terms, title insurance helps protect against hidden problems that may have existed before you bought the property. Depending on the policy, this can include unpaid liens, ownership disputes, forged documents, recording errors, and other title defects that could affect ownership rights. Learn more about what title insurance may cover.
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What is the difference between owner's title insurance and lender's title insurance?
Owner's title insurance helps protect you, while lender's title insurance helps protect your mortgage lender. If you finance a home, your lender will typically require lender's coverage, but only an owner's policy directly protects your ownership interest in the property. Learn more about owner's and lender's title insurance coverage.
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How much does title insurance cost?
Title insurance is typically purchased with a one-time premium paid at closing rather than a monthly payment. The cost varies based on factors such as property value, loan amount, location, and transaction type. You can estimate your closing costs using our LendersAgent One calculator.
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What issues can be found during a title search?
A title search reviews public records to identify issues that could affect ownership or delay closing. Common issues include unpaid liens, judgments, ownership disputes, probate matters, recording errors, boundary concerns, and missing or incorrect documents. Learn more about common title issues and coverage.
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What is a title commitment?
A title commitment is a document issued before closing that explains what must happen before a title insurance policy can be issued. Think of it as a roadmap that identifies title-related items that need attention and outlines what the final policy will cover once closing is complete. Learn more about the title and closing process.
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What happens if a title issue is found?
Finding a title issue does not necessarily mean the transaction cannot move forward. Many issues can be resolved before closing through additional documentation, lien payoffs, corrective filings, or other actions. If an issue cannot be resolved right away, closing may be delayed until it is properly addressed.
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How long does title insurance coverage last?
An owner's title insurance policy generally lasts for as long as you or your heirs have an ownership interest in the property. Unlike many other insurance products, there are typically no renewal premiums after the initial purchase.
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How long does the title and closing process take?
Many title and closing transactions are completed in less than 30 days, but every transaction is different. Timing depends on factors such as lender requirements, title review, document collection, and whether any issues need to be resolved before closing. Learn more about the title and closing process, estimate your costs using our closing cost calculator, or contact our team with questions.
A Note About Wire Safety in Title
Wire fraud remains one of the most common risks in real estate transactions. We do not change wiring instructions without direct verification through secure channels.
What You Should Do
Always confirm wiring instructions using a known, trusted phone number before sending funds. If you're not sure if it's legitimate, give us a call directly.
What You Should Avoid
Never rely solely on email instructions for wiring funds, unexpected last minute changes, or unverified wire requests. It's no bother - just call and check with us.
Questions about wiring or closing safety? Contact a Team Member
Securely Order Title Online With Ease
Lenders Title Company take online order requests for residential, 1031 exchanges, and commercial title insurance services across Arkansas and Tennessee.
Estimate your closing costs and submit a request on our LendersAgent One App or request an order directly on the Order Title page.
Start your order: Place an Order
Why Choose Lender’s Title Company
Lender’s Title Company offers advanced technology and legal expertise for secure transactions, paired with the local support of friendly and experienced closers so every transaction runs smoothly.
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In-House Attorneys
Our six attorneys across Arkansas and Tennessee support complex title matters, including probate, liens, deed corrections, and ownership issues.
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Secure Closing Platform
Clients use a secure system to upload documents, track progress, and stay updated through each stage of the transaction.
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19 Locations in Arkansas & Tennessee
Local offices provide in-person support in a comfortable environment, with consistent, reliable closing processes.
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Industry Standards
Operations follow ALTA Best Practices-aligned procedures and are supported by E&O insurance and fidelity bond coverage.
Find your nearest office: Find a Local Office
Our Office Locations
We provide title insurance and closing services throughout Arkansas and Tennessee.
- Bentonville, AR
- Bryant, AR
- Cabot, AR
- Conway, AR
- Fayetteville, AR
- Greenbrier, AR
- Harrison, AR
- Hot Springs, AR
- Jonesboro, AR
- Little Rock, AR
- Mountain Home, AR
- Yellville, AR
- Brentwood, TN
- Collierville, TN
- Columbia, TN
- Franklin, TN
- Hendersonville, TN
- Kingston, TN
- Knoxville, TN
- Memphis, TN
Contact Us Today: Get In Touch
Feel Confident In Your Next Closing
Title insurance helps protect against covered issues that may not be visible during inspections or standard due diligence. A clear title and coordinated closing process help ensure ownership transfers smoothly and securely.
We’re ready when you are.