What organization provides title insurance that shows the legal description of the property and standard items it covers?

The California Land Title Association (CLTA) plays a crucial role in providing title insurance in California. Title insurance is a protective measure for property buyers and lenders, ensuring that the title to a property is legitimate and free of significant outstanding claims or liens. The CLTA establishes standard coverage, which typically includes protections against issues such as undisclosed heirs, fraud, and as-built surveys.

One of the essential documents provided by title insurance is a title report, which includes a legal description of the property as well as specifics about the coverage it offers. This helps buyers and mortgage lenders understand the current status of the title and any potential risks associated with it. The association sets forth guidelines and standards for title insurance practices in California, ensuring consistency and reliability in the industry.

While the American Land Title Association (ALTA) serves a similar purpose at the national level, specifically focusing on developing standardized practices throughout the United States, the context of this question centers on California. Thus, CLTA is the applicable organization for title insurance within the state. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is primarily involved with real estate member organizations and advocacy, and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) focuses on the disclosure of settlement costs rather than offering title insurance itself