Why do I need title insurance if the title was already searched?

A title search and examination catch the great majority of issues, and a good title company resolves them before closing. But some defects simply aren’t discoverable in the public record, like a forged signature in a prior sale, a missing or unknown heir, a clerical error in how a document was recorded, or outright fraud. Title insurance exists precisely for those hidden risks: if a covered claim surfaces years later, the insurer defends your title and pays valid losses. The search reduces risk; the insurance covers what the search can’t reach.