If you’re in the middle of a property sale and your solicitor mentions title insurance, you might be wondering: Do I really need it? The short answer? Possibly, and it could save your sale.
What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance (often called a title indemnity policy) is a one-off policy that covers a legal defect in your property’s title. Think missing planning permissions, old restrictive covenants, or a right of way that was never formalised. These issues don’t always cause problems until you’re trying to sell or remortgage, and a buyer’s solicitor hits pause.
When Might You Need One?
You might need title insurance when:
- You’ve lost important property documents (like a planning certificate)
- Your property has an unregistered right of way
- There’s a restrictive covenant that’s been breached in the past
- The legal title is incomplete, unclear, or disputed
- Your solicitor flags a historical risk that’s hard to fix quickly
For sellers, these policies are often the fastest way to keep a sale on track without weeks (or months) of back-and-forth or expensive legal fixes.
What Does It Cover?
Title insurance usually covers any financial loss or legal defence costs if someone challenges your ownership or use of the property based on the defect. The cover is typically valid for decades and can be transferred to new owners.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of title insurance depends on several factors, like the type of legal issue, the property’s value, and the level of coverage required. It’s typically a one-off premium and is often the fastest and most cost-effective way to resolve a legal snag during a sale. Most policies can be arranged quickly, often within 24–48 hours.
🏠 Need a Quick Title Policy to Keep Your Sale Moving?
At Title Policies, we work with conveyancers, solicitors, and homeowners to arrange fast, reliable indemnity insurance with no fuss and transparent pricing. If you’ve been told you need a policy or just want expert advice, get in touch with our team, and we’ll sort it out.
📞 Or call us on 01782 712224