Enhanced Title Insurance in North Carolina: Why Attorneys Shouldn’t Overlook It
In North Carolina real estate, title insurance is a given — but too often, buyers (and even attorneys) default to a standard owner’s policy without exploring the benefits of an Enhanced Owner’s Policy, also known as enhanced title coverage.
For attorneys committed to protecting their clients beyond the basics, understanding and recommending enhanced coverage is a smart, proactive move — especially in a state where title issues can get complicated fast.
What Is Enhanced Title Insurance?
A standard owner’s policy protects against recorded defects that exist at the time of closing. An Enhanced Owner’s Policy goes further, covering a range of off-record risks and post-closing issues, such as:
Survey and boundary disputes — even without a new survey
Unrecorded contractor liens — those without public notice
Zoning or permit violations by previous owners
Undisclosed or unrecorded encroachments
Forgery, fraud, and impersonation risks
Many policies also include automatic inflation protection (increasing coverage as the property’s value grows) and post-policy fraud coverage, both absent from standard policies.
Why It Matters for North Carolina Attorneys
1. Gaps in Traditional Title Searches
Even the most thorough search can’t catch off-record risks. Enhanced coverage is designed to close those gaps — giving your client protection where the public record stops.
2. High-Risk Scenarios: New Builds & Renovations
With rapid growth in areas like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington, boundary issues and unpermitted work are more common than you think.
3. A Shield for Clients — and for You
Recommending enhanced coverage positions you as a true advocate. It can also protect your firm from the fallout of a “why didn’t anyone tell me?” conversation later.
How to Address Client Concerns
Cost: The price bump is minor compared to potential litigation costs.
Timing: It’s handled at closing — no ongoing effort required.
When to Recommend: Especially relevant for new construction, higher-value homes, or when buyers opt out of surveys.
Final Word
Enhanced title insurance isn’t just an upgrade — it’s smart risk management. When you raise it, you not only protect your client’s investment — you reinforce your value as a diligent, forward-thinking advisor. In a state like North Carolina, where real estate moves fast and risk hides in the details, that matters more than ever.