The effective use of title insurance by lawyers requires a basic understanding of the coverage, both its benefits and limitations. The use of title insurance in a lawyer’s practice allows for timely closing of real estate transactions, facilitates solutions to issues preventing closing, saves costs, and provides insured homeowners, property owners, and lenders with comprehensive coverage against hidden risks affecting title to real property. This paper provides an overview of the operation of title insurance and of how title claim issues are resolved. It addresses key areas of knowledge that all lawyers who use title insurance in Alberta should possess, including a discussion on the basics of title insurance, what is covered, and various claims examples.

In addition, a sample residential policy and sample residential lender policy are included for reference.