Do title risks end at closing?

Why Many Homeowners Choose an Eagle Policy®

Closing day often feels like the finish line of a home purchase. You’ve signed the paperwork, received the keys and officially become a homeowner. Most buyers assume everything was fully checked before they purchased their home and, in many ways, it was. A title search helps uncover and resolve many known issues before closing.

But not every issue shows up in advance. That’s where “post-policy” risk comes in. In simple terms, “post-policy” means an issue that arises after your title insurance policy takes effect—typically after closing.

Except in limited circumstances, a Standard Owner’s Policy1 helps insure against losses resulting from title risks that existed prior to the policy date, such as undisclosed liens or ownership title defects.

The Eagle Policy®2 provides broader coverage that helps address certain post-policy issues that a Standard Owner’s Policy may not include. Instead of addressing these coverage areas individually, it combines them into one policy.

Note: As with any type of insurance, all policies contain exclusions, exceptions and conditions that apply to certain circumstances and may vary by state law. This information is a general overview of most coverage.

Family unpacking boxes in a new home

How the Eagle Policy® Helps Limit Post-Policy Risk

The Eagle Policy providers broader coverage for certain post-policy matters including post-policy forgery and impersonation issues. As more records become digital, forgery and impersonation have become more sophisticated.
Examples include:

Forged deeds recorded after purchase that create ownership disputes

Forged mortgages recorded after purchase that create unexpected title problems

Unauthorized attempts to transfer ownership through impersonation or fraudulent documents

These types of issues can create serious ownership problems if they arise after the policy date. The Eagle Policy® provides broader coverage for post-policy forgery-related risks than the Standard Owner’s Policy.

Ownership and Property-Use Issues That May Arise After the Policy Date

Issues arising after the policy date that affect a homeowner’s rights in the property, such as:

Post-Policy Forgery

Forged documents recorded after the policy date that affect ownership of the property

Post-Policy Encroachment by Neighbors

A neighboring structure or improvement, other than boundary walls or fences, extends onto your property after the policy date

Damage to your property

From extraction of minerals, water, oil, or gas

The most comprehensive coverage:
Eagle Policy®

The Eagle Policy® combines core title insurance with broader coverage for certain post-policy risks, including certain forgery-related risks, post-policy encroachments, certain ownership claims and damage from extraction of minerals or water.

Here’s how a Standard Owner’s Policy and Eagle Policy® generally compare when it comes to post-policy coverage:

Coverage Against Standard Owner’s Policy Eagle Policy®
Post-policy forgery
Post policy damage from extraction of minerals or water
Post-policy adverse possession
Post-policy prescriptive easement
Post policy inflation coverage with automatic increase in value up to 150% over five years
Post-policy encroachments by neighbors*
Gap period protection
Compliance and audit defense
Standard Owner’s Policy
Post-policy forgery
Post policy damage from extraction of minerals or water
Post-policy adverse possession
Post-policy prescriptive easement
Post policy inflation coverage with automatic increase in value up to 150% over five years
Post-policy encroachments by neighbors*
Gap period protection
Compliance and audit defense
Eagle Policy®
Post-policy forgery
Post policy damage from extraction of minerals or water
Post-policy adverse possession
Post-policy prescriptive easement
Post policy inflation coverage with automatic increase in value up to 150% over five years
Post-policy encroachments by neighbors*
Gap period protection
Compliance and audit defense

*Deductible and maximum limits apply. Coverage may vary based on an individual policy.

A Simple Way to Think About It

Standard Owner’s Policy

Title defects in existence prior to the policy date

Eagle Policy

Broader Coverage

Title defects in existence prior to the policy date

Coverage for certain matters that may first occur after the policy date.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Choosing title insurance isn’t about expecting something to go wrong.

It’s about understanding that ownership risks don’t stop at closing—and deciding how you want to be covered over time.

For homeowners who want broader coverage and long-term confidence, the Eagle Policy® offers the most comprehensive title insurance solution available by First American.

Homeowners standing outside their home

Learn more about title protection and the Eagle Policy®:

Standard vs. Eagle® Policy
What Is an Eagle Policy®?

1 All references to the Standard Owner’s Policy are to the 2021 ALTA Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance.

2 All references to the Eagle Policy® are to the 2021 ALTA Homeowner’s Policy of Title Insurance.

Disclaimer:
As with any insurance contract, the insuring provisions express the coverage afforded by the title insurance policy and there are exceptions, exclusions and conditions to coverage that limit or narrow the coverage afforded by the policy. Also, some coverage may not be available in a particular area or transaction due to legal, regulatory, or underwriting considerations. Please contact a First American representative for further information. The services described above are typical basic services. The services provided to you may be different due to the specifics of your transaction or the location of the real property involved.