Before issuing insurance on a property, Zenith Abstract will perform a detailed "Title Search", which is examination of all the documents recorded in public records such as deeds, mortgages (and foreclosures), judgments and liens, wills, court records, and death certificates, etc. Based upon this examination, or abstract, Zenith will create a "Title Report" that shows all of the open issues that will need to be addressed prior to the closing of title. Zenith Abstract may also show searches on what permits (Certificates of Occupancy) are in existence, what the current taxes are and when they are due, a list of any present fire or housing violations, among additional imperative information. The latter are referred to as municipal or departmental searches. An Owner's Policy of Title Insurance protects a buyer from fraud, mistakes or defects in prior wills, deeds, and/ or mortgages. Such mistakes could cost you money- or worse, could even give another party a legal claim to ownership of your property.

Buying Title Insurance protects you from:

1. Errors such as incorrect names or terms found on deeds or mortgages
2. Liens on the property or a previous owner of the property that may become a liability for you, the new owner. Open or unpaid mortgages, taxes, water and sewer charges, judgments or mechanic liens are examples of monetary loss that a new owner may be held responsible for if the title is not researched, cleared, and insured
3. Claims to ownership by an unknown heir of a prior owner
4. Fraudulent Deeds that may have been made by someone who did not have ownership in the property, was not authorized to transfer the property, or was not mentally competent at the execution of the document

Title Insurance is not as well known as other types of home insurance but it is equally important. Other types of insurance require annual payment of premium whereas Title Insurance requires only one single payment forever. Your purchase, whether it be residential or commercial, is your most important investment - be sure to protect it with an Owner's Policy of Title Insurance!