Glossary · Closing & Contracts

Owner's Title Insurance

Florida sets title premiums by state-promulgated formula, but who pays them is pure county custom.

← All glossary terms
Quick definition
An owner's title insurance policy protects the buyer's ownership against defects in the chain of title — prior liens, forged deeds, unknown heirs. Florida promulgates the premium by rule: $5.75 per $1,000 of price up to $100,000, then $5.00 per $1,000 up to $1 million. On a $400,000 home the owner's premium is $2,075. Who pays it is county custom: seller-pays in much of Florida, buyer-pays in Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota and a handful of others.

The promulgated rate

Unlike most states, Florida's title premium is set by state rule, so the base premium is identical at every title company: $5.75 per $1,000 of the purchase price for the first $100,000 of value, then $5.00 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $1 million (lower brackets apply above that). What varies between agents is the closing/settlement fee and ancillary charges — worth shopping even though the premium itself is fixed.

Who pays: the county-custom map

Payment is negotiable in the contract, but custom is strong. In most Florida counties the seller pays for the owner's policy and picks the title agent. In Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, and several other counties, custom runs buyer-pays. Our cost-to-sell page maps the customs and the math.

Owner's policy vs. lender's policy

A financed purchase involves two policies: the lender's policy (required by the mortgage lender, protects only the loan) and the owner's policy (optional but strongly advisable, protects the buyer's equity for as long as they own the home). When both are issued simultaneously, the second policy is issued at a steep 'simultaneous issue' rate.

Common questions.

How much is title insurance in Florida?
The state-promulgated owner's premium is $5.75 per $1,000 of the price up to $100,000, then $5.00 per $1,000 up to $1 million. A $400,000 purchase prices at $2,075, plus the agent's closing fees, which vary.
Who pays for title insurance in Florida?
County custom: seller-pays in most of the state; buyer-pays by custom in Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota and a few other counties. It is always negotiable in the contract.
Is an owner's title policy required?
No — only the lender's policy is required when you finance. But the owner's policy is what protects your own equity against title defects, for a one-time premium at closing.

Have a question about a Florida real estate transaction?

Talk to Jon or Brittany directly. We'll answer specific questions or connect you with the right Momentum agent.

Talk to founders →