Gap Insurance in Title
Gap insurance protects against liens and defects recorded between the title search date and the recording of new documents. It covers the inherently risky period when the title search is stale but the new deed has not yet been recorded.
What It Covers
- Liens recorded after the title search date
- Judgments filed against the seller during the gap
- Federal tax liens filed between search and recording
- Mechanic's liens for prior work filed during the gap
- Any encumbrance that appears between search and recording
Florida Practice
- Standard part of reputable title company closings
- Recognized by the Florida Bar and ALTA
- Included in title insurance premium or closing fee
- Some companies provide as automatic coverage; others as endorsement
Exclusions
Pre-search defects, known issues, buyer-created liens, survey defects, environmental contamination, and zoning violations are not covered by gap insurance.
Related Terms
- Evidence of Title — Title search creating the gap
- Encumbrance — Gap-period encumbrances
- Closing — Gap period begins at closing
Barnes Walker Title Services
Barnes Walker Title provides comprehensive gap insurance coverage for every Florida real estate closing. Submit a title inquiry for assistance.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC