What is Title Insurance?
Protecting you & your lender
The #1 Title Insurance Provider in Milam County, Serving You with Accuracy & Care
Title insurance is a one-time insurance policy that protects property buyers and lenders from financial loss caused by hidden title defects, such as liens, fraud, clerical errors, or ownership disputes.
If you’re searching for a title company near you, understanding title insurance is an important first step in protecting your property investment.
Title insurance protects your ownership rights from past issues that could affect your property after closing.
What Does Title Insurance Cover?
Title insurance protects against risks that may not appear during a standard title search, including:
- Unpaid property taxes or liens. Claims from contractors (mechanic’s liens), tax authorities, or creditors against previous owners
- Forged or fraudulent documents. Invalid transfers resulting from forged signatures on deeds or other legal documents.
- Clerical errors in public records. Clerical mistakes, such as incorrect property descriptions, misspelled names, or improperly indexed documents.
- Unknown or missing heirs claiming ownership. Disputes involving previously undiscovered heirs or relatives asserting a legal right to the property.
- Boundary or survey disputes
- Undisclosed easements
- Errors or omissions in deeds
- Liens from contractors or unpaid work
Title insurance protects you and your lender if someone challenges your property title because of title defects unknown at the time you bought the policy.
The Role of Title Searches
Before issuing a title insurance policy, title companies check for defects in your title by examining public records, including deeds, mortgages, wills, divorce decrees, court judgments, tax records, liens, encumbrances and maps. (The title search determines who owns the property, what outstanding debts are against the property and the condition of the title.)
A title search helps determine:
- Who legally owns the property
- Whether there are any outstanding debts or claims
- The overall condition of the title
A title search verifies ownership and uncovers potential issues before a policy is issued.
Policy Regulation
In Texas, title insurance premiums are regulated by the state through the Texas Department of Insurance. This means that all title insurance companies must charge the same rate for a specific amount of coverage.
Because title insurance pricing is standardized in Texas, costs are generally consistent across providers. For more information, visit
www.tdi.state.tx.us.
Types of Title Insurance
Title insurance helps protect against potential ownership or property title issues that may arise after a real estate purchase.
There are two main types of title insurance policies:
Owner’s Policy
Protects the homebuyer’s ownership rights for as long as they own the property.
Lender’s Policy
Protects the lender’s financial interest in the property until the loan is paid off.
Owner’s policies protect you, while lender’s policies protect the mortgage company.
What Does Title Insurance Cover?
Title insurance protects against risks that may not appear during a standard title search, including:
- Unpaid property taxes or liens
- Forged or fraudulent documents
- Clerical errors in public records
- Unknown heirs claiming ownership
- Boundary or survey disputes
- Undisclosed easements
Title insurance covers hidden issues tied to past ownership that could threaten your property rights.
How the Title Transfer Process Works (Step-by-Step)
- A title company performs a title search
- Public records are reviewed for defects or claims
- Any issues are resolved before closing
- A title insurance policy is issued
- Coverage lasts for as long as you own the property (owner’s policy)
Title insurance ensures your property has a clean ownership history before and after closing.
Title Insurance vs. Home Insurance
Title Insurance | Home Insurance |
Covers past ownership issues | Covers future damage |
One-time premium | Ongoing monthly/annual payments |
Protects legal ownership rights | Protects the physical structure |
Title insurance protects your ownership, while home insurance protects your property.
What is escrow?
An escrow is an arrangement in which a disinterested third party, usually the title company, holds legal documents and funds on behalf of the buyer, seller and lender, and distributes them according to written closing instructions.
The escrow agent is in charge of processing and coordinating the flow of documents and funds, informing all parties of progress, responding to lender´s requirements, coordinating document preparation and title work, preparing the final settlement statement, obtaining proper approval of documents, overseeing closing, disbursing funds and recording documents.
For this service, the title company charges an escrow fee.
Once the title is cleared and escrow is in place, the ownership transfer process begins.
What is involved in transferring a land title?
Order is placed with the title company. This normally includes presenting an executed Earnest Money Contract, together with an earnest money check, to open escrow.
Title and tax search is performed. Various tax assessors-collectors are contacted to verify the tax status of the property. Copies of documents are gathered from the various public records, including, but not limited to, deeds, liens, wills, divorce settlements, etc.
Title is examined. The examination process verifies the legal owner of the property, any outstanding debts and the condition of the title. A title commitment is prepared and delivered to parties.
Once all requirements in title commitment have been resolved, forms are prepared for settlement.
Escrow officer performs closing of transaction. Seller(s) and Buyer(s) execute documents necessary to transfer title and establish new lien, if any. Existing liens and charges are paid (including seller, broker, attorney, title company, etc.).
Documents are recorded and title policies issued.
Title Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is title insurance required in Texas?
Lender’s title insurance is typically required if you are financing a home. Owner’s title insurance is optional but strongly recommended.
2. Who pays for title insurance in Texas?
This is negotiable, but in many cases, the seller pays for the owner’s policy while the buyer pays for the lender’s policy.
3. How long does title insurance last?
An owner’s policy lasts as long as you or your heirs own the property.
What is not covered by title insurance?
Title insurance generally does not cover issues that arise after the policy is issued, such as new liens or damages.
4. Do I really need title insurance?
Yes. Without title insurance, you could be responsible for legal costs or financial losses tied to ownership disputes.
Protect Your Property with Confidence
Title insurance provides peace of mind by ensuring your ownership rights are protected from hidden risks.
Visit our locations
Dedication to Being Your Best Title Insurance Provider
Monday - Friday 8am-12pm & 1pm-5pm
Milam County
Cameron
112 West Second Cameron, Texas 76520
254-605-0140
(254) 605-0200 (Fax)
Milam County
Rockdale
200 North Main St., Rockdale, Texas 76567
(512) 446-3898
(512) 446-3132 (Fax)
Lee County
Giddings
103 South Main P.O. Box 1519 Giddings, Texas 78942
(979) 542-3836
(979) 542-2436 (Fax)
Burleson County
Caldwell
209 S Main P.O. Box 387 Caldwell, Texas 77836
(979) 567-0345
(979) 567-0342 (Fax)
Falls County
Marlin
410 Williams P.O. Box 719 Marlin, Texas 76661
(254) 804-0140
(254) 804-0156 (Fax)
Fayette County
Lagrange
215 N Main LaGrange, Texas 78945
(979) 968-2800
(979) 968-2806 (Fax)
Colorado County
Columbus
323 Radio Lane Columbus, Texas 78934
(979) 733-0058
(979) 733-0995 (Fax)
Bastrop County
Bastrop
Bastrop, TX 78602, USA
(512) 321-5552
(512) 321-5559 (Fax)
Washington County
Brenham
204 S Market Street Brenham, Texas 77833
(979) 251-7064
(979) 251-7637 (Fax)
Lee County
8541 HWY 77 Lexington TX 78947
254-605-0140 | (979) 542-3836
By Appointment Only
Meet your professional team
Providing comprehensive Title Insurance in Bastrop, Burleson, Colorado, Falls, Fayette, Lee, Milam, and Washington Counties.
Alicia Lopez
Escrow Officer
– Cameron –
Serving Milam And Falls Co.
Ana Alicia Perales
Escrow Officer
– LaGrange –
Kellie Whitmire
Orders
Harley Weatherly
Orders
Lori Towery
Escrow Officer
– Cameron –
Serving Milam And Falls Co.
Melissa Boyer
- Management Team -
– Title Examiner –
Ashleigh Moehling
Escrow Officer/Manager and On-Site Manager
Will Sanders
– Examiner –
Carlene Bowman
– Examiner –