When you buy a home, be sure to get an owner who has a title insurance policy. This protects you against many types of title problems. Title is your right as the owner of real estate to use and possess it free from claims of others.

Common problems normally covered by titled insurance include judgment liens, mechanic's liens and unpaid property tax liens, as well as protection against forged signatures on earlier deeds in your chain of title.

Some new homeowners do not buy an owner's title insurance policy because they feel that it's unlikely there will be problems. But the cost of an owner's policy is usually low when it is purchased at the same time as a lender's policy, which is insurance that protects your lender. For a small investment, you'll get a lot of peace of mind.

Title insurance protects you against monetary losses and the costs of defending yourself in case someone makes a claim.

Your lawyer can advise you how to obtain a title insurance policy and about it's terms.