Common policies and endorsements in title insurance.

Title insurance affords us a realm of opportunities to receive the coverage and protection we need when the investment is personal.

Depending upon the transaction there are different types of policies available to provide this safety. Throughout the nation, the standard form of policy used is issued by the American Land Title Association, hence the "ALTA" policy.

The following are two of the most common policies provided to minimize the risk of your real estate investment.

The most basic form of policy is the Fee Title Insurance Policy. This policy covers the purchaser of real property (the "Insured"). Every standard Owners Policy insures as of the date of the policy, not exceeding the amount of Insurance, for any loss sustained or incurred by the insured for the following reasons:

1. Title to the estate or interest of the insured premises being vested other than as stated in the policy;

2. Any defect in or lien or encumbrance on the title;

3. Unmarketability of the title;

4. Lack of a right of access to and from the land.

In cases of legitimate claims, the insurance company will pay the costs, attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in defense of the title, but only to the extent provided in the Conditions and Stipulations of the policy.

Exclusions from coverage on fee policies include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Acts of the insured that would result in a defect in title;

2. Any lien or encumbrance created or attached after the date of the policy;

3. Any liens or encumbrances not of public record

The purchase price of the property dictates the premium and the amount of limit of insurance on the policy.

Mortgage policies are usually required by the lender when there is financing in the transaction; however, in most cases, the cost of the premium is the burden of the borrower. Apart from straight mortgage policies, construction loans, modifications and assumptions can be insured.

The standard ALTA Loan Policy provides the same insurance to the lender as in the owners policy; but, also includes the following:

1. The invalidity of unenforceability of the lien of the insured mortgage upon the title:

2. Lack of priority of the lien of the insured mortgage over any statutory lien.

Exclusions from this coverage mirror the exclusions of the fee policy. Premiums are based upon the loan amount of the transaction.

Both Fee and Loan policies have standard endorsements desired by land owners and required by lenders. There are also many endorsements available to purchase with these policies that provide additional protection.

Title Policy Endorsements in New York State can be placed into one of three general categories:

1) No Cost Endorsements

2) Endorsements which cost $25.00 over and above the premium

3) Special Risk Endorsements for which the cost varies

While this is not a comprehensive analysis of every endorsement available--a task outside the scope of this article--we will summarize some of the more commonly requested endorsements as well as summarize the additional benefits which they afford the insured policyholder.

The most common endorsement of all is the standard New York Endorsement which is provided free of charge to the insured owners as well as lenders. This endorsement protects the Insured during the so-called "gap period" between the closing date and the actual recording date of the closing instruments. This additional protection is crucial because it protects the insured's interest against intervening liens or encumbrances especially due to the serious delays in recording in various counties.

The Cooperative Endorsement is another example of a no-cost endorsement. It insures the Insured under the policy that the property in question is part of a validly created coop.

The Condominium Endorsement is similar to the Cooperative Endorsement in that it insures that the overall premises constitutes a valid condominium regime. It also protects the policyholder from any or failure of title arising out of the exercise of right of first refusal by the condominium board. Unlike the previously mentioned endorsement there is a charge of $25.00.

Perhaps one of the best bargains available among the $25.00 endorsements is the Residential Mortgage Endorsement. It is only available for lenders and limited to premises that are residential in nature and limited to four families or less. It affords the insured lender an astounding amount of additional protection at a relatively low cost to the borrower.

Under the Residential Mortgage Endorsement a lender is protected against any loss caused by any encroachment of the building on the premises onto any easement or right of way as well as any violation of any covenant or restriction excepted in the Policy. This protection includes any such violation of a covenant or restriction that may cause a forfeiture or reversion of title, or otherwise affects the lien.

The Environmental Protection Lien Endorsement is another valuable addition to a Loan Policy which protects the Insured against any loss or damage arising from the insured mortgage not having priority over any environmental protection lien filed in accordance with state law, or any environmental lien provided for by the state statute except certain liens under the Administrative Code of the City of New York. This comprehensive additional protection is added for a mere additional $25.00 in charge.

Often endorsements are added as the title industry responds to a common request by its clients. The Mortgage Tax Endorsement and the Contiguity Endorsement are perfect examples of the industry's concerns. For years lenders have been concerned that title companies collect the appropriate mortgage recording taxes in order to properly and expeditiously record all of the relevant mortgage documents following a closing. These typically include, in addition to mortgages, Assignment of Mortgages, Modifications of Mortgages, Splitter Agreements, Substitute Mortgages and Consolidation and Extension Agreements, as well as the necessary accompanying mortgage tax exemption affidavits. Since the mortgage tax scheme is highly complicated and oftentimes misunderstood within the real estate industry and the City, it has been a common practice for lenders to seek additional affirmative insurance in the Lender's Policy protecting the Insured in case the title agent/title company does not collect the appropriate mortgage recording tax. Lenders are understandably concerned that failure to pay the correct mortgage recording tax would impede their ability to foreclose on their mortgage in the case of a borrower's default.

The industry recognized the concern and created the Mortgage Tax Endorsement, which insures a lender against loss in the event that all required mortgage recording taxes are not paid. In one stroke and for a mere $25.00, the industry eliminated a potential distraction at closings as the parties negotiated over the proper affirmative insurance language regarding mortgage tax protection.

The Contiguity Endorsement is another recently added endorsement that addresses a common concern of Lenders when the loan being insured covers more than one parcel which parcels are believed to be contiguous. Rather than have the issue delay a closing, the industry simply came up with an endorsement protecting the insured lender against any loss in case the parcels turn out not to be contiguous. Again, the cost is only $25.00.

The Special Risk Endorsements require the highest level of analysis and the assumption of the greatest risk by the title company. The added risk that they cover is reflected in their cost.

One of the most common and useful examples from this category is the Survey Endorsement. Limited to Lender's policies for residential properties, categorized as four families or less, this endorsement insures against loss by reason of any violations, variations, encroachments, or adverse circumstances that would have been disclosed by an accurate survey. Due to the great risk assumed, the borrower must pay 10% of the straight (not reduced) premium under the mortgage policy.

Title agents are members of a dynamic, constantly evolving industry that always puts the concerns of its clients first. The existing available policies as well as current endorsements aim to give the Insured the greatest protection possible at a reasonable price in today's market.

FERN EPSTEIN
PRINCIPAL
HORIZON LAND SERVICES