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Title insurance in BC: what it is and who offers it
What it covers, what BC already protects, and the insurers.
Short answer: Title insurance is a one-time policy that covers some problems with a property’s title, like fraud, survey or zoning issues, or unpaid work orders. Your lawyer or notary usually orders it at closing. BC’s land title system already gives strong protection, so it’s worth asking what a policy adds for your purchase.
Title insurance is one line in the closing costs estimate.
How BC’s title system works
BC uses a Torrens land title system run by the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA). The register is the record of who owns land, and title is generally indefeasible, meaning it’s backed by the system. If someone loses out because of a registration error or an innocent person is hit by title fraud, the LTSA’s Assurance Fund can pay compensation. The LTSA also offers free tools like BC Property Connect.
What title insurance adds
A policy can cover things the land title register doesn’t, like some survey problems, zoning or building permit issues, or work orders, depending on the policy. There are two kinds:
- Owner policy: protects you as the owner.
- Loan policy: protects your lender. Lenders often ask for one.
Either way, it’s a one-time premium, not a yearly bill. How a policy works with the Assurance Fund depends on your situation. Read what’s covered and ask your lawyer or notary.
Title insurers in Canada
| Insurer | What its site says |
|---|---|
| Chicago Title Canada | Owner and loan policies, one-time premium. Lists the property types it covers and a Transaction Protection Endorsement. Lawyers and notaries order through its online system. |
| FCT | Owner policy with a one-time premium and 34 listed covered risks. Also has a policy for people who already own their home. Ask your lawyer or notary when you buy. |
| Stewart Title Canada | Owner and loan policies, plus a policy for existing owners. One-time premium tied to the price. Ordered by your lawyer or notary. Coverage can carry on to heirs and some family transfers. |
| TitlePLUS | From LAWPRO. One-time premium, for purchases up to $5 million, and includes coverage for some lawyer errors. Its site says it serves every province and territory except Quebec. |
From each insurer’s own residential pages, checked October 2026. Listed alphabetically. We don’t rank them, and none publishes a price list.
Cost
Insurers don’t post prices. They depend on the price, the property and the policy. For planning, our closing costs calculator uses $150 to $400. Your lawyer or notary can tell you the real number. The closing costs guide puts it next to everything else you’ll pay.
Common questions
Do I need title insurance in BC?
It’s not required by law. Many lenders ask for it, or for a lawyer’s opinion on title instead. BC’s land title system and its Assurance Fund already protect owners in some cases, so ask your lawyer or notary what it adds for your purchase.
How much does title insurance cost in BC?
It’s a one-time premium, usually a few hundred dollars, and more on pricier homes. Our closing costs calculator uses a planning range of $150 to $400. That’s an estimate, not a quote.
Who buys the title insurance?
Your lawyer or notary usually orders it as part of closing. The insurers listed here say policies are ordered through a lawyer or notary.
Is title fraud common in BC?
No. The Land Title and Survey Authority says title fraud is exceedingly rare in BC, and its Assurance Fund can compensate innocent victims.
Sources
- Learn about title security in BC, Land Title and Survey Authority of BC. Checked October 2026.
- Buying a home, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Checked October 2026.
- Chicago Title Canada: residential title insurance, Chicago Title Canada. Checked October 2026.
- FCT: title insurance for property owners, FCT. Checked October 2026.
- Stewart Title: for buyers and owners, Stewart Title Canada. Checked October 2026.
- TitlePLUS: for purchasers, TitlePLUS. Checked October 2026.
Same rules as the calculators. Rules last verified: . See how the calculators work.
Keep reading
Estimates only. Not tax, legal or financial advice.
Rough numbers, not a quote or a lender’s decision. Check with a lawyer or notary and your lender before you rely on them. See Disclosures and Methodology.