What does a standard owner's title policy cover?

A standard owner's policy insures against losses from title risks that existed before the policy date, such as undisclosed liens and ownership defects. A title search works like a background check on the property: First American works to resolve issues that would limit a buyer's right to own and later sell the property, and insures against unknown issues or fraud that surface later.

Title & escrow

First American Title

First American Title Insurance Company provides title insurance and settlement services for residential, commercial, and industrial transactions. Its customers include homebuyers and sellers, agents and brokers, mortgage lenders, homebuilders and developers, title agencies, and attorneys, served through direct operations across the country and a network of agents.

Commercial work runs through the National Commercial Services division, which handles commercial real estate transactions from dedicated service centers around the country. For homeowners, the company offers the Eagle Policy, an enhanced owner's policy that keeps the core coverage of a standard owner's policy and adds certain post-policy coverage; exclusions and conditions vary by state law.

The wider group includes First American Data & Analytics, whose property-centric data covers 100% of U.S. housing stock and is validated daily, Docutech and other mortgage lender and servicer solutions, a home warranty business, and banking and wealth management arms. The company traces its roots to 1889 in Orange County, California, qualified to issue title policies in 1924, and states that it has delivered title and settlement services for 135 years.

Coverage, forms, and endorsements differ by state, so confirm with the local First American operation which policy applies to your transaction and what the fee schedule looks like.

Best for

Buyers, lenders, and developers who want title, escrow, and property data from one national underwriter, including multi-market commercial deals. Homeowners wanting broader coverage should ask about the Eagle Policy, whose terms vary by state.

What they do

Title insurance
Escrow and settlement services
National Commercial Services for commercial transactions
Eagle Policy enhanced owner's coverage
Homebuilder and developer title services
Mortgage lender and servicer solutions
Property data and analytics
Recorded document and land record research
Home warranty contracts
Trust and investment services

Details

Attribute	Value
Ownership	Subsidiary

What stands out

Its National Commercial Services division handles commercial transactions from dedicated service centers across the country.
First American Data & Analytics property data spans 100% of U.S. housing stock and is validated daily.
Traces its roots to 1889, when two title firms opened in the newly created Orange County, California.
Became one of the first abstract companies in California to qualify to issue title insurance policies, in 1924.
States that it has delivered title and settlement services for 135 years.

Common questions

What is an Eagle Policy?: The Eagle Policy is First American Title's enhanced owner's title insurance policy for one-to-four family residences, including condominiums. It carries the core coverage of a standard owner's policy and adds certain post-policy coverage for issues that arise after the policy takes effect. As with any insurance, exclusions, exceptions, and conditions apply and may vary by state law.
What does a standard owner's title policy cover?: A standard owner's policy insures against losses from title risks that existed before the policy date, such as undisclosed liens and ownership defects. A title search works like a background check on the property: First American works to resolve issues that would limit a buyer's right to own and later sell the property, and insures against unknown issues or fraud that surface later.