Understanding Title Policy Rates for Texas Home Buyers in 2024

In Texas, title insurance policies range from 0.6% to 0.9% of the property’s value. Rates are regulated, so companies charge the same. For a $50,000 home the premium is about $496 and for a $100,000 home it’s around $832. Overall, buyers in Texas pay 0.5% to 1.0% of the purchase price for title insurance. Policies cost less for higher value properties but are required for closing on any home purchase or real estate investment in the state.

Key Takeaways

• Rates from 0.6% to 0.9% of property value
• Regulated premiums; all companies charge same
• $496 premium for $50K home purchase
• $832 premium for $100K home purchase
• Required for closing on Texas home purchases

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects home buyers if issues later arise with the legal title on a property. It covers financial losses from defects like liens, forgery, unpaid taxes, mistakes in public records, undisclosed heirs, and other issues preventing a clean title transfer.

Title issues are rare but could be financially devastating if uncovered after closing. Title insurance gives homebuyers and lenders a guaranteed form of protection.

Also read: What Does Conditionally Approved Mean?

The Role of Title Insurance Companies

Title insurance companies in Texas research and examine the public records connected to a property before closing. This includes deeds, mortgages, divorce decrees, liens, encumbrances, tax records, ownership disputes, rights of way and access issues. They work to identify and resolve any problems ahead of time to ensure a clean title can legally transfer.

If a covered title defect surfaces later, the title company handles legal claims and covers insured financial losses. They have extensive experience researching title history and defending claims.

Types of Title Insurance Policies

There are two main types of title insurance policies:

1. Lender’s Policy

• Protects the lender’s financial interest in the property.
• Required by most lenders when you get a mortgage.
• Only covers the lender, not the homeowner.
• Coverage lasts as long as the loan is outstanding.

2. Owner’s Policy

• Protects the homeowner’s ownership rights to the property.
• Optional, but highly recommended.
• Covers the homeowner for as long as they own the property, even after the mortgage is paid off.
• Can help cover legal fees associated with defending against claims on the title.

There are also a few other types of title insurance policies that are less common:

• ALTA Homeowner’s Policy: This is a standard owner’s policy that is endorsed by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). It provides broader coverage than a standard owner’s policy.
• Reissue Policy: This type of policy is issued when a new owner takes over a property that already has an owner’s policy in place.
• Gap Coverage: This type of policy covers the difference between the amount owed on the mortgage and the value of the property, in the event that the owner’s policy is not enough to cover a claim.

Also read: What Does Income Restricted Mean?

Texas Title Insurance Cost (Estimated)

Purchase Price	Owner’s Policy	Lender’s Policy	Total Cost
$100,000	$832	$100	$932
$200,000	$1,359	$100	$1,459
$300,000	$1,886	$100	$1,986
$400,000	$2,413	$100	$2,513
$500,000	$2,940	$100	$3,040
$600,000	$3,467	$100	$3,567
$700,000	$4,094	$100	$4,194
$800,000	$4,721	$100	$4,821
$900,000	$5,348	$100	$5,448
$1,000,000	$5,975	$100	$6,075

Who Pays the Title Company In Texas?

By tradition in Texas, the seller pays for their own owner’s title insurance policy protecting the buyer, as part of the closing costs.

The homebuyer is responsible for paying for the lender’s policy, if required by their mortgage lender to secure financing. Lender’s policies add about $150-300 in fees at closing.

Also read: How Much does it Cost for a Home Inspection

Factors Influencing Title Insurance Cost in Texas

Several factors can influence the cost of title insurance in Texas, beyond just the purchase price. Here are some key points to consider:

Property Characteristics

• Purchase Price: This is the biggest influence, with costs typically ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% of the purchase price.
• Property History: Complex histories with multiple owners, foreclosures, or unclear documentation often require more research and raise costs.
• Property Type: Commercial properties or land with specific use restrictions might require additional research and higher costs.
• Location: Some counties in Texas have higher base rates due to local regulations or historical complexities.

Policy Specifics

• Coverage Type: Standard coverage is cheaper, while enhanced coverage with protection against additional risks like zoning issues or specific types of structural damage will be more expensive.
• Owner’s vs. Lender’s Policy: Lender’s policies are usually flat fees around $100, while owner’s policies vary based on factors mentioned above.
• Re-issue Rates: If the property was previously insured, you might qualify for a discount depending on the time elapsed and coverage changes.
• Combined vs. Separate Policies: Purchasing both owner’s and lender’s policies from the same company can often lead to a discount.

Additional Factors

• Title Company: Different companies have varying pricing structures and may offer discounts for bundled services or loyalty programs.
• Government Regulations: Texas allows companies to set their own prices, leading to competition and potentially lower costs than states with fixed rates.
• Closing Fees & Taxes: Remember, title insurance isn’t the only closing cost. Consider recording fees, taxes, and other charges.

Should You Shop For Title Insurance in Texas?

There is little reason to shop around as all Texas title companies must legally charge the State’s filed insurance rates. Home buyers can choose whatever title company they wish without worrying about price variances on the main policy premium.

However, some title companies may differ in their fees for things like closing services, document preparation, courier services, etc. So comparison shopping on the total closing costs may still be worthwhile.

How Long Is Title Insurance Good For in Texas?

In Texas, the duration of title insurance depends on who the policy is issued to:

• Lender’s Title Insurance: This policy protects the lender’s financial interest in the property and lasts until the mortgage loan is paid off in full. This includes scenarios where the loan is refinanced, as the lender’s interest transfers to the new lender.
• Owner’s Title Insurance: This policy protects the homeowner’s ownership interest in the property and lasts as long as the owner(s) and their heir(s) hold and retain an interest in the property. This means it remains in effect even after you sell the property, potentially providing coverage to your heirs if a title issue arises later.

So, the key takeaway is:

• Lender’s policy: Valid until loan payoff (including refinancing)
• Owner’s policy: Valid as long as you (or your heirs) own the property

It’s important to note that while the policy period lasts, it only covers issues that arise after the closing date and are covered under the specific terms of your policy. Make sure you review your policy documents carefully to understand the scope of coverage.

What Does Title Insurance Cover?

Standard Texas title insurance policies cover financial losses from various problems such as:

• Liens
• Illegal deeds
• Unknown heirs claiming ownership
• Mistakes in public records
• Forgery
• Undisclosed prior property damage
• Incorrect legal descriptions
• Unpaid taxes, judgments, HOA fees

Coverage includes legal defense costs as well as payment of losses in most cases.

What Title Insurance Does Not Cover in Texas

• Known title defects at time of purchase
• Physical property problems like boundary or survey disputes
• Zoning and building code violations
• Claims by renters of the property
• Loss of mineral/water rights unrelated to title defects
• Environmental hazards

Optional endorsement add-ons can expand coverage for certain exclusions like access rights or zoning issues.

Who Sets Title Insurance Premiums In Texas?

Title insurance rates in Texas are set by the Texas Department of Insurance and renewed annually. Each year the Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association files an overall rate recommendation to the Insurance Commission.

By law, the Commissioner can reject or accept, but not change, the title companies’ filed rates. Once accepted and set for that year, those are the standard title insurance premiums all title underwriters must legally charge consumers across Texas.

This rate regulation keeps pricing consistent statewide and prevents drastic premium hikes after policy issuance. Approved title insurance rates apply uniformly across all counties in Texas with some minor locality variations.

Texas Title Insurance Basic Premium Rates

According to Texas Department of Insurance, here are the basic premium rates for title insurance policies up to and including the specified amounts:

Policies Up To And Including	Basic Premium	Policies Up To And Including	Basic Premium	Policies Up To And Including	Basic Premium	Policies Up To And Including	Basic Premium
$25,000	$328	$44,000	$456	$63,000	$583	$82,000	$711
$25,500	$331	$44,500	$459	$63,500	$587	$82,500	$716
$26,000	$335	$45,000	$463	$64,000	$591	$83,000	$720
$26,500	$338	$45,500	$466	$64,500	$594	$83,500	$722
$27,000	$340	$46,000	$469	$65,000	$597	$84,000	$725
$27,500	$343	$46,500	$473	$65,500	$600	$84,500	$729
$28,000	$347	$47,000	$475	$66,000	$604	$85,000	$732
$28,500	$350	$47,500	$478	$66,500	$609	$85,500	$735
$29,000	$355	$48,000	$483	$67,000	$612	$86,000	$738
$29,500	$358	$48,500	$487	$67,500	$613	$86,500	$743
$30,000	$361	$49,000	$490	$68,000	$617	$87,000	$747
$30,500	$364	$49,500	$493	$68,500	$621	$87,500	$749
$31,000	$368	$50,000	$496	$69,000	$624	$88,000	$752
$31,500	$371	$50,500	$499	$69,500	$627	$88,500	$756
$32,000	$374	$51,000	$501	$70,000	$631	$89,000	$760
$32,500	$378	$51,500	$505	$70,500	$635	$89,500	$762
$33,000	$381	$52,000	$510	$71,000	$639	$90,000	$765
$33,500	$385	$52,500	$514	$71,500	$641	$90,500	$769
$34,000	$388	$53,000	$516	$72,000	$644	$91,000	$773
$34,500	$392	$53,500	$520	$72,500	$648	$91,500	$777
$35,000	$395	$54,000	$523	$73,000	$651	$92,000	$779
$35,500	$398	$54,500	$526	$73,500	$654	$92,500	$783
$36,000	$401	$55,000	$529	$74,000	$658	$93,000	$786
$36,500	$405	$55,500	$532	$74,500	$662	$93,500	$790
$37,000	$408	$56,000	$537	$75,000	$666	$94,000	$791
$37,500	$412	$56,500	$540	$75,500	$668	$94,500	$796
$38,000	$416	$57,000	$543	$76,000	$671	$95,000	$801
$38,500	$419	$57,500	$547	$76,500	$674	$95,500	$804
$39,000	$421	$58,000	$551	$77,000	$678	$96,000	$805
$39,500	$425	$58,500	$553	$77,500	$681	$96,500	$809
$40,000	$428	$59,000	$556	$78,000	$685	$97,000	$813
$40,500	$433	$59,500	$560	$78,500	$689	$97,500	$817
$41,000	$435	$60,000	$564	$79,000	$693	$98,000	$820
$41,500	$439	$60,500	$568	$79,500	$694	$98,500	$824
$42,000	$442	$61,000	$571	$80,000	$698	$99,000	$827
$42,500	$446	$61,500	$573	$80,500	$702	$99,500	$830
$43,000	$448	$62,000	$577	$81,000	$706	$100,000	$832
$43,500	$452	$62,500	$581	$81,500	$708

How Is Title Insurance Calculated in Texas?

Title insurance in Texas is typically priced based on a percentage of the property’s purchase price, ranging from 0.5% to 1%. However, several other factors can influence the final cost, including:

• Loan-to-value ratio: Higher loan amounts usually result in slightly higher premiums.
• Property type: Residential properties generally have lower rates than commercial ones.
• Presence of endorsements: Additional coverage options may add to the cost.

The Closing Process and Title Insurance

During closing, the title company handles the legal transfer of ownership. They oversee paperwork, disburse funds, resolve encumbrances, record documents, and issue the new title.

Title insurance protects buyers if anything was missed duringclosing and problems later arise with the property’s title or ownership rights. This allows closings to proceed smoothly without waiting months to fully verify a “perfect title”.

After closing, if any covered title defects emerge, the title insurance company is responsible for paying claims or providing a legal defense. This keeps buyers safe even long after purchase.

Benefits of Title Insurance

Key benefits of title insurance for Texas homebuyers include:

• Protection from financial loss – Policy covers legal costs and damages payments.
• Peace of mind – Title risks can’t be fully identified even with diligence. Insurance covers the gaps.
• Low one-time cost – Paid only upon purchase and lasts for ownership.
• Customizable – Extra endorsements expand coverage options.
• Tax deductible – Premium cost can be deducted along with other closing expenses and interest.
• Reissue discounts available – Reduced rates if reselling within 7 years.
• Standardized pricing – Consistent premiums across the state.
• Coverage lasts a lifetime – For as long as you or heirs own the home.

Risks Associated with Skipping Title Insurance

Going without title insurance leaves new homeowners exposed to the rare but serious financial risks posed by undisclosed title defects. While defects don’t occur often, claims can tally $10,000 to $100,000+ when they do happen.

Most lenders require title insurance to approve mortgages since undisclosed liens or ownership disputes allow them to call in the full loan. An uninsured lien emerging later could force owners to repay mortgages prematurely.

Overall the low one-time cost is well worth it for protecting purchases as large as a home. Title insurance brings valuable peace of mind.

Bottom Line

While paying for title insurance increases Texas home buying costs, premiums just 0.9% to 0.6% of the purchase price offer invaluable financial protection against undisclosed property risks.

Title insurance rates are regulated in Texas, so pricing is consistent across companies. Lender’s policies run $150-$300 while owner’s policies cost around 0.5% to 1% of the total home value. This one-time fee safeguards buyers as long as they own the home.

Given the policy covers expensive legal claims for decades, title insurance delivers security and peace of mind at an affordable price for Texas homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)