Protect Your Property Rights in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky
Buying a home feels like the finish line, but ownership isn’t truly secure until the title is.
Most buyers assume once they close, the property is 100% theirs. But hidden title issues—some going back decades—can surface after closing and threaten your legal ownership.
That’s where title insurance comes in.
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance is a one-time policy that protects homeowners and lenders from financial loss due to past ownership issues, including like liens, errors, fraud, or undisclosed heirs.
Unlike other insurance policies, it doesn’t protect against future events. Rather, it protects you from problems that already exist but haven’t been discovered yet.
Why Title Insurance Is So Important
Before closing, a title company performs a detailed title search to uncover issues. But even the most thorough search can’t catch everything.
Real risks still exist, including:
- Old liens that were never properly cleared
- Errors in public records
- Forged or fraudulent documents
- Unknown heirs claiming ownership years later
- Undisclosed easements or boundary disputes
If one of these shows up after closing, you could face legal costs or even risk losing your property.
Title insurance ensures you’re protected if that happens.
What Title Insurance Covers
Title insurance steps in for ownership problems that might slip through even a thorough title search.
- Old liens that were never cleared, like unpaid contractor bills or tax debts from a previous owner.
- Mistakes in public records, such as a deed that wasn’t filed correctly years ago.
- Forged or fake documents, where someone altered paperwork to transfer ownership fraudulently.
- Someone missing from the ownership history who later makes a claim, like an undisclosed heir showing up after the sale.
- Certain boundary or survey problems tied to the title, such as an old easement that limits your use of the land.
What Title Insurance Does NOT Cover
To be clear, title insurance is not a catch-all. It does not cover:
- Property damage or repairs
- Maintenance issues
- Problems that occur after you purchase
- Specific exclusions listed in your policy
That’s why title insurance and homeowners’ insurance serve completely different purposes. And why you need both.
Owner’s Policy vs. Lender’s Policy
There are two types of title insurance:
- Owner’s Policy – Protects you, the homeowner, for as long as you own the property
- Lender’s Policy – Protects the mortgage lender until the loan is paid off
If you’re financing your home, the lender’s policy is required. The owner’s policy is optional, but it’s the one that protects your investment.
The Real Risk Most Buyers Overlook: Wire Fraud
Today, one of the biggest threats in real estate isn’t just title defects, it’s wire fraud during closing.
“It’s an epidemic now,” says Diane Tomb, CEO of the American Land Title Association, the national trade association for the title industry, in a recent AARP article. “Four years ago, we heard about this kind of thing a couple of times a month. Now it’s multiple times a day.”
Cybercriminals target buyers with fake wiring instructions, often resulting in tens of thousands of dollars lost instantly … and permanently.
Why the Title Company You Choose Matters
That’s why your title company matters. Our job is to make the journey to homeownership smooth, clear, and protected. We believe title services should be more than just a line item, they should be your strongest ally in protecting one of the biggest investments of your life.
At BesTitle, we use Qualia Shield’s secure closing technology and verified communication protocols to help protect your transaction from fraud, so your funds and your property stay safe.
We are also an attorney-managed title agency, which means you and your transaction are backed by legal professionals trained to handle a full range of transactions and anticipate issues before they become problems. That means cleaner titles, more accurate documentation, and greater protection for your clients, especially in complex transactions like estate sales, encroachments, or commercial property deals.
With BesTitle, you get:
- Attorney-managed closings for added legal oversight
- Clear, proactive communication with all parties
- Local expertise across Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky
- Secure processes designed to reduce risk and prevent delays
This means fewer surprises, smoother closings, and better protection for everyone involved—buyers, agents, and lenders.
How Much Does Title Insurance Cost?
Title insurance is a one-time cost paid at closing, based on:
- Property price
- Loan amount (if applicable)
- Location
While it may feel like just another closing cost, it provides long-term protection for one of your largest financial investments.
Protect Your Closing with Confidence
Title insurance isn’t just a formality, rather it’s your protection against the unknown.
And the company handling your closing plays a major role in how secure, smooth, and stress-free that experience is.
Work with a team that prioritizes accuracy, communication, and security every step of the way.
Schedule Your Closing with BesTitle
Connect with your local office today to experience a more secure, attorney-managed closing process.