Title Insurance

Title Insurance in Ontario: What It Covers, What It Costs and Who Needs It

What it covers, what it leaves out, what it costs, and whether you need it when you buy in Ontario.

A modern executive office desk with an open book, pens, and glasses, overlooking the Toronto skyline at sunset

On this page

What Is Title Insurance?What Title Insurance Covers Coverage a Residential Policy May Add What Title Insurance Does Not Cover Owner's Policy vs Lender's Policy How Much Does Title Insurance Cost in Ontario?Do You Need Title Insurance?Title Insurance and a Survey Before You Buy a Policy: A Checklist Buying a Policy After You Own the Home How to Make a Claim Title Fraud and the Land Titles Assurance Fund Frequently Asked Questions Related Guides

Real estate law without the fine-print headaches.

24/7 Free Consultation

(647) 696-8069

The short answer

Title insurance is a one-time insurance policy that protects a property owner or a lender against financial loss from problems with the property's title, such as a lien, a forged document, or an encroachment that nobody knew about when you bought. It is not required by law in Ontario, although some lenders require a lender's policy.

You pay one premium, usually at closing, and an owner's policy lasts as long as you own the home. The premium depends on the price of the property and the insurer. Published estimates for a typical purchase run from a few hundred dollars to about $900, and more on higher-priced homes. Your lawyer arranges the policy and confirms the exact premium.

What Is Title Insurance?

Title means legal ownership of a property. You get title when the seller signs the transfer over to you, and the public record of who owns what is kept in Ontario's land registration system. A title search shows what is on that record. Title insurance protects you from problems the search could not show, such as a forged signature or an error in a survey or in the public record.

Title insurance does not replace your lawyer. The provincial regulator, FSRA, says it does not replace legal advice when you buy property. Your lawyer still searches title, reviews the agreement, and registers the transfer. The policy is a financial backstop for what that work cannot catch. See FSRA, Understanding title insurance.

What Title Insurance Covers

For a one-time premium, a policy may protect you from losses such as these. The exact wording differs by insurer, so your own policy is what counts.

Unknown title defects

Problems with your ownership that nobody knew about when you bought the property.

Existing liens

Debts a previous owner secured against the property, such as unpaid utility bills, mortgages, property taxes, or condominium charges.

Encroachments

A structure on your property that crosses onto a neighbour's land, or the reverse.

Errors in surveys and public records

A mistake in an existing survey or in the public record that causes you a loss.

Title fraud

A fraudster using stolen personal information or forged documents to transfer your home's title, then borrowing against it.

Coverage a Residential Policy May Add

Residential policies often include more than basic title protection. Depending on the insurer, a policy may offer:

Comprehensive coverage

Protection from losses related to the property's title. It may also cover risks to your title that come from a lawyer's negligence or error.

Gap coverage

Covers the gap between the day your purchase closes and the day it is registered in Ontario's land registration system.

Survey coverage

May remove the need for a new, up-to-date survey. Most lenders accept it as an alternative to a survey or Real Property Report.

Legal coverage

Pays most of the legal costs of defending your title.

For an extra fee, some insurers also offer extended coverage for identity theft or for certain known title defects. Ask whether it is worth it for your property.

What Title Insurance Does Not Cover

Read the exclusions before you rely on a policy. FSRA lists these among the things a policy may exclude:

Known title defects

Problems you knew about before you bought the property.

Environmental hazards

Issues such as soil contamination.

Indigenous land claims

Claims based on Indigenous rights or interests in the land.

Problems found only by a new survey

For example, a new survey shows that the property is smaller than you thought.

Matters not in the public record

Items that were never registered, such as unrecorded liens and encroachments, which some policies exclude.

Zoning by-law violations from your changes

Violations that come from renovations or additions made to the property.

A policy also does not pay for problems that are not about title, such as the condition of the building. A home inspection is the tool for that.

Owner's Policy vs Lender's Policy

At a glance

Owner's policy

Lender's policy

Who it protects

You, the owner

The lender

What it covers

Title-related losses listed in the policy, up to a stated maximum amount

Losses if the mortgage turns out to be invalid or unenforceable, usually up to the mortgage amount

Is it required?

Not by law

Some lenders require it as a condition of the mortgage

If you buy with a mortgage, the lender's policy protects only the lender. An owner's policy is what protects you, so ask your lawyer whether you are getting one.

How Much Does Title Insurance Cost in Ontario?

Title insurance is a one-time premium. FSRA says the cost varies with the value of your property and the insurance company you choose, and it does not publish a price. Insurers set their own rates.

Published estimates for an ordinary home purchase range from a few hundred dollars to about $900, with higher premiums on more expensive homes. Buying an owner's policy on top of a lender's policy adds to the cost. Those estimates come from brokers and lawyers, not insurers, so treat them as a rough guide.

Your lawyer will tell you the exact premium before closing, and it appears in your closing costs with your legal fees and land transfer tax. Our closing costs guide shows how to budget for all of them, and our fees guide explains how legal fees are charged.

Do You Need Title Insurance?

Title insurance is not a requirement in Ontario. FSRA suggests talking it over with your lawyer, a title insurance company, or an insurance agent or broker before you decide. If you are borrowing to buy, ask your lender whether it requires a lender's policy.

Many buyers choose an owner’s policy because it is a single premium for protection that lasts as long as they own the home. Whether it makes sense for you depends on the property and on how much risk you are comfortable carrying. We go through the options with you before closing. See our title insurance service.

Title Insurance and a Survey

A policy with survey coverage may remove the need for a new survey, and most lenders accept it in place of one. It pays for a covered loss. It does not tell you where your boundaries are, and it does not cover problems that only a new survey would find. If you plan to build a pool, a garage, or an addition, a current survey is still worth having. Our article on title insurance vs. a survey compares the two.

Before You Buy a Policy: A Checklist

Insure the property for its full value.
Check that the policy’s effective date is the same as your closing date.
Check that the policy describes all of the property you are buying.
Understand which title-related losses it covers.
Know what it excludes.

You can buy residential title insurance through your lawyer, a title insurance company, or an insurance agent or broker. FSRA keeps a list of the companies licensed to sell title insurance in Ontario on its title insurance page.

Buying a Policy After You Own the Home

Residential title insurance is usually bought when you buy the property, but FSRA says you can also buy it later. Policies for existing homeowners are slightly different from policies for new purchases, so ask for a written quote and read what is excluded.

How to Make a Claim

Check your policy

Confirm that your policy covers the title problem.

Submit your claim quickly

Ask your insurer, or check your policy, for the deadline to submit a claim.

Put it in writing

Write to the title insurance company with the details of your loss, your policy number, your contact information, and any relevant documents.

Keep a copy

Keep your own copy of the claim. The insurer may take time to review it and may have follow-up questions.

Title Fraud and the Land Titles Assurance Fund

Title fraud usually involves a fraudster using stolen personal information or forged documents to transfer your home’s title to themselves, then borrowing against it. If it happens to you, you may be able to claim compensation from the Province’s Land Titles Assurance Fund. Claims must be made within 6 years of the loss. See Ontario.ca, Land Titles Assurance Fund. The fund and a title insurance policy are separate, so ask your lawyer how each applies to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is title insurance mandatory in Ontario?
No. FSRA says it is not a requirement. Some lenders do require a lender’s policy as a condition of a mortgage, so check with yours.
How much does title insurance cost?
It is a one-time premium that varies with the property’s value and the insurer. Published estimates for a typical purchase range from a few hundred dollars to about $900. Your lawyer confirms the exact premium before closing.
How long does title insurance last?
An owner’s policy lasts as long as you own the property. Most residential policies also extend coverage to your heirs through a will, to a spouse in the event of a divorce, and to children if you transfer the property to them.
Does title insurance cover title fraud?
A policy may cover title fraud, and some insurers offer extended coverage for identity theft for an extra fee. Read your policy to see what applies. Separately, you may be able to claim from the Land Titles Assurance Fund.
Can I buy title insurance after closing?
Yes. FSRA says residential title insurance can be bought after the fact, although policies for existing homeowners are slightly different from policies for new purchases.
Does title insurance replace a survey?
It may remove the need for a new survey, and most lenders accept it as an alternative. It does not show you where your boundaries are, so a survey is still useful if you plan to build.
What if I knew about a problem before I bought?
Known title defects are generally excluded from coverage. Tell your lawyer about anything you know before you close.
Do I still need a lawyer if I have title insurance?
Yes. Title insurance does not replace legal advice. Your lawyer searches title, reviews your agreement, and registers your transfer.

Legal Information, Not Legal Advice. This guide summarizes information from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario and the Government of Ontario, checked on October 8, 2026. Policy wording and premiums differ by insurer, so read your own policy and speak with a real estate lawyer before you rely on this guide.

Get A Free Legal Consultation

Learn more about our services and fees by booking a free consultation with us. We look forward to representing you.

Call, 24/7