What Is Title Insurance?
Title insurance is a one-time payment that protects property owners and mortgage lenders from money problems caused by mistakes or hidden issues in a property's ownership history — like unpaid debts, fake signatures, clerical errors in public records, or other surprises you wouldn't see coming.
Regular insurance covers things that might happen in the future. Title insurance covers problems that already existed before you bought the property.
You pay once at closing, and your coverage lasts as long as you own the property.
Owner's Title Insurance
An owner's policy protects the money you've put into your home.
- If someone challenges your ownership, it pays for your lawyer and covers your financial losses.
- A lender's policy only protects the mortgage company, not you or your equity.
- An owner's policy keeps protecting you for as long as you own the property.
- In Palm Beach County, the seller typically pays for the owner's policy.
Lender's Title Insurance
A lender's policy (also called a loan policy) protects the mortgage company's investment.
- Almost every mortgage lender requires this coverage before they'll give you a loan.
- The lender's coverage amount goes down as you pay off your loan balance.
- It tells the lender their claim on the property comes before any older claims.
Title Search and Examination
Before we issue any policy, we do a thorough search of the property's full recorded history.
This means we look at deeds, existing mortgages, unpaid debts, court rulings, access rights, and every other document filed with the county.
Learn more about our title search services →
Common Title Problems
Why Title Insurance Matters in Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens has many planned communities with HOA and CDD rules to watch out for.
- Community Development District (CDD) fees need to be checked and confirmed before closing.
- Neighborhoods like PGA National, BallenIsles, and Mirasol charge required club or membership fees.
- A careful closing process handles both HOA estoppel certificates and outstanding CDD bond amounts.
How Much Does Title Insurance Cost in Palm Beach Gardens?
Title insurance rates in Florida are set by the state. You do not shop around for the cheapest rate because every company charges the same amount. What matters is the quality of the title work and the service you receive.
Florida Promulgated Rates
The state of Florida sets the rates for title insurance. For the first $100,000 of coverage, the rate is $5.75 per $1,000. For coverage between $100,001 and $1,000,000, the rate drops to $5.00 per $1,000. For example, a $300,000 policy costs $1,575.
View our full Florida rate table to see exact costs for your coverage amount.
Owner's Policy vs. Lender's Policy
An owner's policy protects your equity and lasts as long as you own the property. A lender's policy protects the bank and is usually required if you have a mortgage. Both are calculated using the same state rates, but the lender's policy amount decreases as you pay down your loan.
Simultaneous Issue Discount
When an owner's policy and a lender's policy are issued at the same time on the same transaction, the lender's policy is issued at a reduced rate. This is called a simultaneous issue discount and it saves you money at closing.
Other Costs to Expect
Beyond title insurance premiums, closing costs typically include:
- Title search and examination fee
- Settlement or closing fee
- Recording fees with Palm Beach County
- Doc stamps on the deed (paid by seller)
- Doc stamps on the mortgage (paid by buyer)
- Escrow and wire transfer fees
Contact us for a full cost estimate based on your specific deal.
Palm Beach Gardens Title Insurance FAQs
What is title insurance and why do I need it?
Title insurance is a one-time payment that protects you and your mortgage lender from money problems caused by mistakes or hidden issues in a property's ownership history — like unpaid debts, fake signatures, clerical errors in public records, or other surprises. Regular insurance covers things that might happen in the future. Title insurance covers problems that already existed before you bought the property. You pay once at closing, and your coverage lasts as long as you own the property.
What is the difference between owner's and lender's title insurance?
An owner's policy protects the money you've put into your home and pays for your lawyer and losses if someone challenges your ownership. A lender's policy only protects the mortgage company, not you. The lender's coverage goes down as you pay off your loan, while an owner's policy keeps protecting you for as long as you own the property.
How much does title insurance cost in Florida?
Title insurance prices in Florida are set by state rules and based on the property's sale price. You pay once at closing and get coverage for as long as you own the property. View our full Florida promulgated rate table or contact Level 10 Title for a price estimate based on your deal.
Who pays for title insurance in Palm Beach Gardens?
In Palm Beach County, the seller usually pays for the owner's title insurance policy, and the buyer pays for the lender's policy. But who pays what can be negotiated in the purchase agreement and may be different from one deal to the next.
What does title insurance protect against?
Title insurance covers hidden problems in the property's ownership history that existed when you bought it. This includes unpaid debts like liens and judgments, mistakes in county records, fake documents, unknown heirs, and any other claims to the property. The policy pays for your lawyer and covers your financial losses from these covered problems.