How much does title insurance cost in Canada?
Canadian title insurance is a one-time premium, typically $250-$500 for an owner's policy on an average home, rising modestly with price. A lender's policy adds roughly $100-$200 when purchased together. Unlike the US, Canadian premiums are relatively flat rather than a straight percentage of price.
Is title insurance mandatory in Canada?
It is not legally mandatory for buyers, but virtually all mortgage lenders require a lender's title insurance policy. Most real estate lawyers strongly recommend an owner's policy too, because it protects against title fraud and can let the deal close without a costly new survey.
What does title insurance protect against?
It covers title fraud and forgery, undisclosed or unregistered liens, encroachments and boundary/survey problems, unpaid property taxes or utility bills from prior owners, and defects that a title search might miss. Owner policies also cover post-purchase title fraud, a growing risk in Canada.
Is title insurance a recurring cost?
No. It is a single premium paid once at closing, and the owner's policy protects you for the entire time you own the property (and often your heirs). There are no renewals or monthly payments, which distinguishes it from property or home insurance.