Title insurance in Florida protects homeowners and lenders from financial loss caused by hidden defects in a property’s title that existed before closing.

These issues may include unpaid liens, recording errors, ownership disputes, or undisclosed heirs that could threaten legal ownership.

A Florida title insurance policy also covers legal defense costs if a covered claim arises, helping protect your ownership rights and financial investment long after the transaction is complete.

A title search is a thorough review of public records used to confirm legal ownership of a property and identify any issues that could affect the title.

During a title search, records are examined to uncover items such as liens, judgments, unpaid taxes, easements, or recorded restrictions that may impact ownership or transferability.

A title search is essential because it helps ensure the property can be transferred with clear, marketable title, reducing the risk of ownership disputes, unexpected claims, or closing delays before settlement.

Florida title insurance rates are set by the state and regulated by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, meaning all title companies charge the same base premiums.

Florida uses promulgated rates, which are standardized and calculated based on the property’s purchase price. These rates apply to owner’s title insurance policies and ensure pricing consistency statewide.

Florida Promulgated Title Insurance Rates

• $5.75 per $1,000 of property value for the first $100,000

• $5.00 per $1,000 of property value above $100,000, up to $1,000,000

For properties valued over $1,000,000, rates may vary and require a custom quote.

Please contact Dockside Title for accurate pricing on high-value properties, loan policies, or transaction-specific details.

Owner’s title insurance lasts for as long as you or your heirs own the property.

Coverage remains in effect even if you refinance or pay off your mortgage, protecting your ownership rights against covered title defects that existed before closing.

If you sell the property in the future, your owner’s policy may also qualify you for a reissue rate credit on a new title insurance policy, potentially reducing costs on your next purchase.

Yes. Dockside Title regularly handles transactions involving privately held mortgages and hard money lenders.

We prepare and coordinate all required title, escrow, and closing documents to ensure the transaction is properly structured, recorded, and compliant—providing secure title protection for both buyers and private lenders.

A lender’s title insurance policy protects the mortgage lender—not the buyer—against financial loss caused by undiscovered title defects.

This policy covers issues such as unpaid liens, recording errors, or ownership disputes that existed prior to closing. Buyers must purchase a separate owner’s title insurance policy to protect their personal ownership interest in the property.

A property survey is not required for cash purchases in Florida, but it is typically required for mortgage transactions and refinances.

Lenders usually require a current survey to issue a Florida Form 9 title insurance policy, which provides full coverage against boundary and survey-related issues. Even when not required, a survey is strongly recommended to identify property boundaries, easements, encroachments, and improvements before closing.

Dockside Title can provide a list of trusted local surveyors upon request.