The ALTA Homeowner's Policy gives Virginia buyers broader title insurance protection than a standard owner's policy — at closing. Here's what it covers, what it costs, and whether you should ask for it.
When you buy a home in Virginia, your title company will offer you an owner's title insurance policy. Most buyers nod and sign. Few ask what type of owner's policy it actually is.
There are two common versions of owner's title insurance: the standard ALTA Owner's Policy and the ALTA Homeowner's Policy (sometimes called the enhanced owner's policy). The difference is not minor. The Homeowner's Policy covers a broader range of title risks — including several that are increasingly relevant in today's market.
Here's what the ALTA Homeowner's Policy is, what it covers that the standard policy doesn't, and whether it makes sense to ask for it.
Q: Does my lender require the ALTA Homeowner's Policy?
No. Your lender requires their title insurance policy — the lender's policy, which covers the loan amount. The owner's policy (whether standard or ALTA Homeowner's) is for your protection. Lenders don't typically specify which owner's form you use.
Q: Is the ALTA Homeowner's Policy available in Maryland and DC?
Yes. The ALTA Homeowner's Policy (or a functionally similar enhanced form) is available in Maryland and DC, though specific forms and coverages vary slightly by state and underwriter. Your settlement agent can confirm what's available for your transaction.
Q: Can I buy the ALTA Homeowner's Policy after closing?
Generally no. Owner's title insurance must be purchased at closing — that's when the title exam is complete and the risk is priced. You can't retroactively add coverage after you take ownership.
Q: Does the ALTA Homeowner's Policy cover boundary disputes?
It covers losses related to encroachments that weren't revealed in the title exam and survey (if a survey was part of the process). It does not cover all possible boundary disputes — if you and your neighbor simply disagree about where a line is and no actual encroachment or loss exists, that's a different matter.
Q: What if my seller is paying for owner's title insurance — can I request the Homeowner's Policy?
Yes. In Virginia, it's common for sellers to pay for owner's title insurance as part of the transaction. If the seller is providing your policy, you can ask that it be the ALTA Homeowner's Policy. Most sellers and their agents will agree, since the cost difference is modest.
Bottom Line
The ALTA Homeowner's Policy is not dramatically more expensive than the standard owner's policy. But it covers meaningfully more — post-policy forgery, encroachments, unpermitted work, inflation-adjusted value, and more.
If you're buying a home in Northern Virginia, Maryland, or DC, it takes one question to find out which policy your title company issues by default. That question is worth asking.
To get a side-by-side quote on your specific purchase, use Pruitt Title's free title quote calculator.
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