When you purchase property in India, hidden title risks — undisclosed heirs, forged documents, past liens, encumbrances not visible in public records — can surface years later and jeopardise your ownership. Title Insurance provides financial protection against such risks for property buyers, developers, and housing finance companies. One-time premium. Minimum 7-year cover.
Miscellaneous / Liability Insurance· Real Estate Developers· Property Buyers· Housing Finance Companies
Title Insurance is a specialised form of indemnity insurance that protects property owners, buyers, and lenders against financial loss arising from defects in a property's title. When a property changes hands, hidden risks in its ownership history — forged documents, past unpaid taxes, undisclosed heirs, improperly recorded deeds — may not surface until after the purchase. Title Insurance provides financial protection against these risks, covering legal defence costs, financial losses, and out-of-court settlements.
Before issuing a Title Insurance policy, the insurer performs a comprehensive title search to identify known issues with the property's history. The policy then covers risks that existed before the policy's effective date but were unknown at the time of purchase. Premium is paid once at inception. Coverage remains active — for Owner's policies — for as long as you own the property.
Mandatory for all real estate promoters under the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act for new and ongoing projects
MANDATORYPay once at policy inception for the entire tenure — minimum 7 years. No annual renewals. No recurring cost.
COST EFFECTIVECovers financial loss from fraudulently executed documents, forged signatures, and fictitious ownership transfers
COMPREHENSIVEIRDAI-regulated turnaround times. Industry experts handle documentation and insurer coordination end-to-end
IRDAI REGULATEDKnown title defects disclosed at inception can still be underwritten — facilitating transactions that might otherwise stall
TRANSACTION ENABLERAll legal fees and court costs to defend your title in case of a dispute — not just the financial loss itself
FULL PROTECTIONCoverage Details
Title Insurance covers financial losses arising from defects in a property's title that existed before the policy date but were unknown at the time of purchase. Key areas of coverage include:
Covers disputes where another individual or entity asserts a legitimate interest in the property — casting doubt on your rightful ownership. Covers legal costs and any financial settlement arising from such claims.
Errors or omissions in public property records — incorrect registrations, missing entries, clerical errors in deed recording — can create title defects. Covers losses resulting from such recording errors.
Covers financial loss arising from fraudulent property transfers, forged signatures on sale deeds, or fictitious ownership documents used to illegally transfer property without the rightful owner's knowledge.
Unpaid taxes, previous mortgages, outstanding debts, or undisclosed loans secured against the property from previous owners can result in liens that bind the new owner. Title Insurance shields you from these inherited financial burdens.
Covers situations where a structure on the property overlaps onto a neighbouring plot, or where third parties hold rights to use a portion of the property (easements) that were not disclosed at purchase.
A previous owner's relatives may appear after your purchase and assert legal rights to the property. Title Insurance covers legal defence costs and any financial judgment arising from such inheritance claims.
Policy Types
There are two main types of Title Insurance policies in India — one protecting the buyer/owner, and one protecting the lender's interest in the property.
Target Buyers
Title Insurance is relevant for anyone with a financial interest in a property's clear ownership — from individual homebuyers to institutional real estate funds.
Mandatory under RERA for all new and ongoing residential and commercial property developments. Protects promoters against title disputes on project land and demonstrates due diligence to homebuyers.
Particularly important for resale properties with long and complex ownership histories. Protects against risks that a title search may have missed — forged documents, undisclosed heirs, past liens.
Lender's Title Insurance protects the mortgaged property's legal status and the bank's security interest against hidden title defects that could jeopardise recovery in case of default.
Institutional and individual investors acquiring multiple properties or real estate portfolios. Title Insurance provides systematic protection against undiscovered title risks across the portfolio.
Non-resident Indians buying property without being physically present face higher exposure to documentation fraud. Title Insurance provides remote protection against local title risks.
Businesses acquiring office space, industrial land, warehouses or commercial premises. Higher transaction values make title protection particularly critical for commercial deals.
Legal Requirement — RERA
Under the RERA Act, every real estate promoter is required to obtain Title Insurance for all new and ongoing property developments registered with the State RERA authority. This is a statutory compliance requirement — not optional. Non-compliance can result in RERA penalties and project deregistration.
Claims
When a title-related issue arises, the claims process for Title Insurance follows these steps. IRDAI regulates turnaround times for claim settlement.
Contact your insurance company as soon as you become aware of a title-related issue or receive any legal notice relating to property ownership. Provide all available information and documentation.
The insurer investigates the claim to determine its validity and the extent of coverage under the policy. This includes reviewing the property's title documents and the nature of the claim.
The insurer may provide legal representation or work with a title attorney to defend your ownership rights. All legal fees and court costs for defending the title are covered under the policy.
The insurer works to resolve the claim — either by defending and clearing your title in court, paying for covered financial losses, or facilitating an out-of-court settlement with the claimant.
Policy Exclusions
The following risks are generally excluded from standard Title Insurance policies. Specific exclusions may vary by insurer and policy wording — please refer to your policy document for complete details.
Government-ordered changes in permitted land use, rezoning decisions, or change-of-use orders issued after the policy's effective date are not covered.
Rights to coal, petroleum, natural gas, and other mineral resources. These are separately governed under Indian mining legislation and are not part of standard property title.
Losses arising from government acquisition, nationalisation, compulsory purchase, or other sovereign political decisions affecting property ownership.
Claims related to tribal rights over agricultural lands under the Forest Rights Act or other tribal protection legislation are typically excluded from standard policies.
Title Insurance covers risks existing before the policy date but unknown at inception. New title defects created after the policy's effective date are not covered.
Risks arising from matters that are not — and cannot be — revealed by an examination of public records are generally outside the scope of standard Title Insurance coverage.
The information on this page is indicative only. Actual policy coverage, exclusions, and premium will vary by insurer and specific policy wording. Please refer to the policy wording document for complete and binding details. Plan-specific features may vary. This page is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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