What is the primary purpose of title insurance?

The primary purpose of title insurance is to protect against financial loss from defects in the title to real property. This means that if there are issues related to ownership claims, liens, or other title defects that were not discovered during the title search prior to the purchase, the insurance policy will cover the financial loss that might result from these issues.

This protection is crucial because title defects can arise from various circumstances, including clerical errors, undisclosed heirs, or fraudulent claims. By providing this coverage, title insurance assures property buyers and lenders that the investment they are making is secure and helps mitigate the risks associated with title issues that could potentially lead to significant financial losses.

The other options do touch on important aspects of property transactions but do not directly address the primary purpose of title insurance. For example, ensuring the transfer of property ownership is a function of the transaction process itself, not the insurance. Legal representation in disputes is generally handled by attorneys, and managing property tax assessments is a separate administrative task not related to the specific protections provided by title insurance.