• For starters, it is important to keep in mind that title insurance is unlike most other forms of insurance as it looks backward from the date it is obtained (i.e., closing).  This means an owner would not be covered for any defects arising post-closing (or the date of the policy), for example, a future encroachment by a neighbor, or cloud on title created by a third-party.   Plainly, title insurance provides coverage for past events, not events that may occur in the future.
• As part of the deal process, buyer are provided with a “title commitment,” which includes certain requirements for the insurance company to issue coverage (found on Schedule B I) and stated exceptions from coverage (found on Schedule B II).  Purchase Contracts often provide a time period for back and forth notices by the parties relating to the matters disclosed by the commitment and what, if anything, needs to be done for closing.  This is also the time for buyers to gain a full understanding as to the various recorded documents and disclosed matters that will impact their use of the property.
• Commitments contain both “standard” (but not always acceptable!) exceptions (to limit coverage) as well as property specific exceptions relating to the recorded matters impacting the property.   We help our buyer clients evaluate those Schedule B II exceptions to determine the impact each will have on the future use of the property as well as if there are any matters which are “objectionable” and need to be removed or cured by the Seller (i.e, encroachments, prior deed restrictions or defects in title).  Sometimes, even more so, it is the “non-objectionable” matters (such as existing declarations or CC&Rs, which can include use restrictions and architectural controls) that must be fully analyzed and understood prior to the purchase because title insurance is not going to apply to such exceptions and so buyers will have nowhere to look after closing if they did not fully appreciate the impact of matters disclosed by the exceptions.
• Similar to other types of insurance, title insurance also includes some gaps in coverage, which can be covered over with the appropriate endorsement.  There are virtually hundreds of types of endorsements, as well as custom endorsements, which can be created for a unique situation.  We help our clients understand the appropriate endorsements to obtain for the given situation and type of property, without which meaningful coverage would not exist.

Title Companies issue title insurance policies and neither escrow agents nor brokers can provide legal advice regarding the availability of coverage relating to stated exceptions and disclosed matters for such policy.  We help our clients understand the various complexities of real estate transactions, including helping buyers appreciate obtain meaningful title coverage and assisting sellers in responding to various requests as part of that process to close deals and make sure everything�s more than just okay. For more information please call (480) 889-8948, send an email to [email protected] or visit www.SteinLawPLC.com.