Who Pays for Title Insurance in Davie, Florida?
Who pays for title insurance in Davie, Florida?
In Davie and the rest of Broward County, you as the buyer customarily pay for the owner’s title insurance policy. That is the opposite of most of Florida, where the seller pays. On a $600,000 Davie home the owner’s policy runs about $3,075 at the state promulgated rate. Because you pay for it, you also get first choice of the closing agent. None of this is required by law. It is local custom, and everything is negotiable.
If you moved here from another state, or even from another part of Florida, this catches almost everyone off guard. You were told Florida sellers pay for title insurance, and then your closing disclosure in Davie shows the charge on your side of the ledger. Here is why that happens and what to do about it.
Why Broward County is different from most of Florida
Florida law does not assign who pays for the owner’s title policy. Who pays is set entirely by county custom, and Broward is one of a small group of counties where that custom runs the other way. In Broward, Miami-Dade, Sarasota, and Collier counties, the buyer generally pays for the owner’s title insurance policy. In most other Florida counties, the seller pays.
So when you buy a home in Davie, which sits in Broward County, the local expectation is that you cover the owner’s policy. This is the single most common source of confusion I see with buyers relocating from the Gulf coast, Central Florida, or out of state. The rule they heard was true for where they came from. It is not true here.
This is one line item inside a larger picture. For a full breakdown of what lands on the buyer versus the seller, read my guide to closing costs in Davie, Florida, and if you are earlier in the process, start with how to buy a home in Davie, Florida.
What title insurance actually costs in Davie
Florida title insurance premiums are promulgated, meaning the state sets the rate. Every title company charges the same base premium for the same coverage amount, so shopping around will not lower the premium itself. The promulgated owner’s policy rate is:
- $5.75 per $1,000 on the first $100,000 of coverage
- $5.00 per $1,000 on coverage above $100,000 up to $1,000,000
Here is what that looks like on real Davie price points:
- A $600,000 home: $575 plus $2,500, which is about $3,075
- A $700,000 home: $575 plus $3,000, which is about $3,575
- A $1,000,000 home: $575 plus $4,500, which is about $5,075
There are two policies to understand:
The owner’s policy protects your ownership. It covers you against title defects that predate your purchase, things like a forged deed in the chain, an undisclosed heir, an old lien, or a recording error. It is a one time premium paid at closing and it protects you for as long as you own the home.
The lender’s policy protects your mortgage lender, not you. If you finance the purchase, your lender requires it. The good news is that when the lender’s policy is issued at the same time as the owner’s policy, a simultaneous issue, the lender’s policy runs a minimum of about $25 for coverage up to the amount of the owner’s policy. Buyers pay for the lender’s policy statewide, so that part is not unique to Broward.
Title insurance is a meaningful number in your total cash to close, so it belongs in your broader budget. If you are pricing out the full cost of owning here, my Davie cost of living breakdown puts it in context.
Who picks the closing agent and why it matters
There is a practical reason the buyer paying matters beyond the dollars. In Florida, the party who pays for the owner’s title premium customarily gets first choice of the closing and title agent, subject to lender approval. In most of Florida that is the seller. In Broward, because you the buyer pay, you typically get to choose the closing agent.
That is a real advantage. Your closing agent runs the title search, clears any issues on the property, handles the settlement statement, and disburses funds at closing. Choosing your own means you can work with a firm you trust, one that communicates well and knows Davie and Broward County records. When you buy in a community like Long Lake Ranches in 33330 or a single family neighborhood in central Davie 33324, that local familiarity matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the buyer or seller pay for title insurance in Davie, Florida?
In Davie, which is in Broward County, the buyer customarily pays for the owner’s title insurance policy. This differs from most Florida counties where the seller pays. It is set by local custom, not state law, so it can be negotiated in the purchase contract.
How much is title insurance on a $600,000 home in Davie?
About $3,075 for the owner’s policy at the Florida promulgated rate. The rate is $5.75 per $1,000 on the first $100,000 of coverage and $5.00 per $1,000 above that. Because the rate is set by the state, every title company charges the same base premium.
Is title insurance negotiable in Florida?
Yes. Florida law does not require either party to pay, so who covers the owner’s policy is negotiable and gets spelled out in the FAR/BAR purchase contract. In a buyer friendly market you can ask the seller to cover it as a concession. Always confirm the assignment in the contract before you sign.
Do I need both an owner’s and a lender’s title policy?
If you are financing, your lender requires the lender’s policy. The owner’s policy is optional but strongly recommended because it is the only one that protects your ownership. When both are issued together, the lender’s policy costs a minimum of about $25 on top of the owner’s premium.
Who chooses the title company in a Davie closing?
The party who pays for the owner’s title premium customarily gets first choice of the closing agent, with lender approval. Because the buyer pays in Broward County, the buyer usually selects the title company. You can verify current ownership and prior deeds through the Broward County Property Appraiser and confirm recorded documents with Broward County Records, Taxes and Treasury.
Talk to a Davie Real Estate Expert
Title insurance is one line on a closing disclosure that surprises almost every buyer moving to Davie. If you want someone who will walk you through your specific numbers before you write an offer, book a strategy call and we will map out your full cash to close. For local grounding, Davie’s profile is on Census QuickFacts.
Anthony Spitaleri
Living in Davie Florida
954-235-5783
Davie, Florida
Written by Anthony Spitaleri, Broker Associate with Coldwell Banker and a Davie native who returned home after thirteen years in Miami Beach. He helps buyers and sellers move through the Davie and Broward County market with clear, data driven guidance. More about Anthony.
