Tag Archives: Lender’s Policy

Who Does the Lender Policy Protect?

Insurance word cloudIf a buyer takes out a mortgage loan to buy a property, the lender will require a lender policy (also called a loan policy or mortgage policy) of title insurance. This protects the lender’s interest in the property until the loan is paid off or refinanced – then it goes away. It only protects the lender. The interest of the buyer is only protected by an owner’s policy.

An owner’s policy of title insurance insures the buyer’s ownership rights to the property. The policy is purchased at closing with a one-time cost, and coverage will last as long as the buyer owns their home.

“Won’t the Lender’s Title Insurance Policy Protect Me?”

Protect-Your-MoneyIn short, the answer to this buyer’s question is, “No.”

Sometimes a buyer can get confused by two Title Insurance policies being issued with a mortgage related sale, the Owner’s Policy and the Lender Policy.

A lender will likely require a buyer to purchase a Lender’s Title Insurance Policy. This only insures that the lender has a valid, enforceable lien on the property. Lender Policies will not protect a homeowner from Title defects that existed prior to the issue date to the policy. Title troubles, such as improper estate proceedings or pending legal action could, without an Owner’s Policy, put the homeowner’s equity at serious risk.

Only an Owner’s Policy will protect a homeowner from any valid claim against their property, up to the face amount of the policy and the full cost of any legal defense of the Title.