Title Insurance in Ontario: What It Covers, What It Costs and Who Needs It
What Is Title Insurance?
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
Unknown title defects
Existing liens
Encroachments
Errors in surveys and public records
Title fraud
Other title problems
Coverage a Residential Policy May Add
Comprehensive coverage
Gap coverage
Survey coverage
Legal coverage
What Title Insurance Does Not Cover
Known title defects
Environmental hazards
Indigenous land claims
Problems found only by a new survey
Matters not in the public record
Zoning by-law violations from your changes
Owner's Policy vs Lender's Policy
How Much Does Title Insurance Cost in Ontario?
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?
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
How to Make a Claim
Check your policy
Submit your claim quickly
Put it in writing
Keep a copy
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.
Related Guides
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.