What is Title Insurance?
September 03, 2026
When you buy a home, you expect to receive clear and undisputed ownership. However, title problems can arise unexpectedly, from hidden legal claims to simple clerical mistakes, and could cost you time, money or even your property.
Ticor Title provides title and escrow services throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties. Understanding title insurance is part of understanding how your ownership rights are protected.
Unlike insurance that covers future events, title insurance addresses problems from the past that could affect your rights to the property. Title insurance can cover legal defense costs and, if necessary, financial loss related to covered title issues.
At Ticor Title, we access, assemble, analyze and distribute title information, in addition to handling escrow and closing. We conduct a thorough search of existing records to identify title issues and work to resolve requirements before issuing a policy.
Common title problems include existing liens, unpaid mortgages and recording errors involving names, addresses or legal descriptions.
A title policy is the actual insurance you receive after you buy the property and the requirements for issuance are met. The commitment describes the requirements for the proposed insurance; the policy provides protection for covered title issues.
While the buyer typically pays for the loan policy, depending on local custom and the contract, it is issued for the lender, not the buyer. An owner's policy provides separate protection for the owner.
Ticor Title provides title and escrow services throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap counties. Understanding title insurance is part of understanding how your ownership rights are protected.
What is title insurance?
Title insurance protects your legal ownership of a property. It provides protection against covered title issues involving matters such as unpaid taxes, liens, recording errors or claims from past owners.Unlike insurance that covers future events, title insurance addresses problems from the past that could affect your rights to the property. Title insurance can cover legal defense costs and, if necessary, financial loss related to covered title issues.
What does the title officer do?
The title officer researches the property's history to verify legal ownership and check for liens, claims or restrictions.At Ticor Title, we access, assemble, analyze and distribute title information, in addition to handling escrow and closing. We conduct a thorough search of existing records to identify title issues and work to resolve requirements before issuing a policy.
Common title problems include existing liens, unpaid mortgages and recording errors involving names, addresses or legal descriptions.
What is the difference between a title commitment and a title policy?
A title commitment is a document you get before buying a property that promises to provide title insurance once certain requirements are met. It lists what needs to be done and issues found with the property's title.A title policy is the actual insurance you receive after you buy the property and the requirements for issuance are met. The commitment describes the requirements for the proposed insurance; the policy provides protection for covered title issues.
Who does title insurance protect?
An owner's policy protects the buyer's ownership rights. A loan policy, sometimes called a lender's policy, protects the lender's financial interest in the property being purchased or refinanced.While the buyer typically pays for the loan policy, depending on local custom and the contract, it is issued for the lender, not the buyer. An owner's policy provides separate protection for the owner.