Title insurance is a vital part of the real estate process. It can help protect you from a number of risks including the following: impersonation of the true property owner, forged deeds or other pertinent documentation, execution under invalid or expired power of attorney, misinterpretations of wills, deeds by persons of unsound mind, undisclosed or missing heirs; mistakes in recording legal documents, fraud, liens and more.

Title insurance is worthwhile investment, and it is generally simply rolled into your closing costs.

To make the most of available title insurance resources:

1. Start by understanding the basics of title insurance. Learn why you need it and what it protects you from.

2. Look at who provides title insurance. Generally, you should go with someone in your immediate area who is familiar with the local public records.

3. Take advantage of industry news and affiliations to continue your title search education and knowledge.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with title insurance basics

Find out why you need title insurance, what protection it provides and more before jumping into requesting or declining it on your next property purchase or sale.

I recommend: U.S. News and World Report discusses the ramifications of opting out of title insurance. Look for additional title insurance basics from the Mortgage Professor's Web Site.

Stay updated about title insurance

Stay informed as to title insurance and the industry by joining group affiliations or through updated news feeds.

I recommend: Check out membership information for the American Land Title Association. There you can find title industry resources for advocacy, education, networking and additional information. Take a look at the latest surety and land title insurance news from Yahoo! Finance. Read the title insurance news feeds from Mongabay.com. The Washington Post also runs title insurance news feeds as well.

Look to the services of title insurance professionals

Find out what information and title insurance services are available from providers in the industry. Most are also very helpful in providing industry background information and FAQs as well.

I recommend: Look at the title insurance services of Stewart. First American offers title and settlement services. Fidelity National Title Insurance not only offers title insurance services and more. They also offer a wealth of information including definitions, why you would need title insurance, steps in the process and additional information. Ticor Title Insurance is a national company that offers a wide range of title services.

Find even more title insurance providers

You have a lot of title insurance service companies to choose from. Most people will go locally, but you can certainly compare prices and services nationally.

I recommend: Learn why you should use the services of Ethical Title Services and Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund. Maryland Commercial Title Services has been in business since 1980. Check out the title insurance services of Florida Title Insurance Group. Take a look at the title insurance and wealth of additional information from Chicago Title.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even the most careful examination of public records may not turn up a title hazards, so investing in title insurance will ensure that you have an indemnity contract that reimburses you for loss in the event someone asserts a claim against your property.