Buying real estate is a significant investment, and title insurance helps protect that investment. Even when a property appears to have a clean title, hidden issues can arise, threatening your ownership. Unpaid liens, filing errors, or even undisclosed heirs can create costly legal problems. Title insurance serves as a safeguard, covering financial losses and legal expenses if a title dispute arises. Whether you’re purchasing a home or a commercial property, ensuring a clear title can help prevent future complications. At Yaqubie Law, we assist buyers, sellers, and lenders in Nassau and Suffolk Counties in securing title insurance and addressing any concerns they may have before closing.
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance protects property owners and lenders from financial losses caused by defects or disputes in a property’s title. Unlike other types of insurance that cover future risks, title insurance focuses on past events—issues that may not have been uncovered before the property changed hands. Without it, you could face legal battles or even lose ownership if a claim arises.
There are two main types of title insurance:
- Owner’s Title Insurance: Protects buyers from title-related claims, ensuring they have clear ownership rights.
- Lender’s Title Insurance: Required by mortgage lenders to protect their financial interest in the property.
Common risks covered by title insurance include:
- Errors in public records
- Unpaid liens from previous owners
- Forged or fraudulent documents
- Unknown heirs claiming ownership
A title search helps uncover known issues, but title insurance provides an extra layer of protection in case something is missed. We help ensure your title insurance policy offers the right coverage for your situation.
Common Title Issues That Could Affect You
Even after a thorough title search, hidden problems can surface that may put your ownership at risk. Title insurance helps protect against these unexpected issues, which could lead to financial loss or legal disputes. Some of the most common title defects include:
- Unpaid Liens – Previous owners may have outstanding debts related to the property, such as unpaid taxes or contractor fees.
- Clerical Errors – Mistakes in public records, such as incorrect names or missing documents, can create confusion over ownership.
- Boundary Disputes – Inconsistent property surveys or unclear deed descriptions may lead to conflicts with neighbors over land use.
- Undisclosed Heirs – If the heirs of a deceased owner are unknown at the time of sale, they could later come forward to claim ownership.
- Forgery or Fraud – Fraudulent transfers, forged signatures, or false claims on the title can invalidate past transactions.
Title insurance provides financial protection and legal assistance if these or other issues arise. We review title reports and policies to help safeguard your property rights.
How Title Insurance Works and What It Covers
Title insurance is a one-time purchase that provides long-term protection for as long as you own the property. Unlike homeowners insurance, which covers future risks, title insurance focuses on past events that could threaten your ownership rights.
Before issuing a policy, a title company conducts a title search to identify potential issues. If a claim arises later, title insurance can cover:
- Legal fees to defend your ownership rights
- Compensation for financial losses due to title defects
- Costs associated with resolving claims against your title
Even with a thorough title search, some issues remain hidden. Title insurance serves as a safety net, ensuring you don’t face unexpected financial burdens. We help you review your policy to confirm you have the coverage you need.
How We Can Help You
At Yaqubie Law, we assist buyers, sellers, and lenders in Nassau and Suffolk Counties with securing clear and protected property titles. We review title reports, identify potential risks, and work with title companies to ensure your investment is safeguarded. If an issue arises, we help resolve disputes efficiently, whether it involves liens, boundary concerns, or claims from undisclosed heirs. Title complications can be costly and stressful, but with the right legal guidance, you can avoid unnecessary obstacles. Our team ensures your title insurance policy provides the coverage you need for peace of mind.
Contact an Experienced Garden City Title Insurance Attorney
Title issues can arise when you least expect them, but with the right protection, you can safeguard your investment. At Yaqubie Law, we help clients in Garden City and throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties secure title insurance and resolve title disputes. Contact us today to ensure your property rights remain protected for years to come.