Who pays for title insurance in Florida, how much it costs, and why it is essential for your home purchase.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed MLO · NMLS #PENDING · Last updated: February 2026
- Title insurance protects against claims, liens, and defects in property ownership
- Two policies: owner’s policy (protects buyer) and lender’s policy (required by lender)
- Florida uses promulgated rates (set by state, same at every company)
- Rate: $5.75 per $1,000 up to $100K, then $5.00 per $1,000 above
- On a $400,000 home: approximately $2,075 for owner’s policy
- Simultaneous issue discount: lender’s policy at reduced rate when bought with owner’s
- Who pays: SELLER in most Florida counties (traditional practice)
- Exceptions: BUYER pays in Miami-Dade, Broward, Sarasota, and Collier counties
- Negotiable in the purchase contract regardless of county tradition
- Title search examines public records for liens, judgments, easements, and encumbrances