1. Find out if the title insurance premiums in your state are determined by the government. All states in the U.S. are different, but
most regulate title insurance premiums to the penny. This means no
title insurance company can offer you lower premiums than another
company. So, the first thing to find out is whether the state where the
property is located is like this. If it is...
2. Find out if the "search fees" are regulated as well.
Before a title company issues an insurance policy it prepares a title
report. At the closing, the title company then charges you for that
report. In some states, the fees charged are determined by the state
government, much like the insurance premiums. However, in other states,
the search fees vary from company to company. If the search fees are not regulated...
3. Shop around for a title company. Some title companies offer lower search fees than others and some will not charge any search fees at all.
4. Order your own title. While your bank or attorney may
want to order for you, it is not their right to do so. It is your
right, and you should never feel obligated to use a company you did not
choose for yourself.