Title insurance in Florida for buyers: how the state-set rates work, what a policy costs on a $300,000 to $1.2 million home, and when you can pay less
October 31, 2026 · Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub
Short answer: Florida sets the base premium for title insurance by rule, so every title agent has to charge the same premium for the same coverage: $5.75 per $1,000 for the first $100,000 and $5.00 per $1,000 from there to $1 million. On a $500,000 purchase, that's $2,575 for the owner's policy. If you're financing, the lender's policy issued at the same time is $25 up to the owner's policy amount. Title search and closing services are billed separately.
What title insurance covers
Title insurance protects against loss from defects in title, such as an old recorded mortgage, a judgment or tax lien, a pending lawsuit, or an easement or restrictive covenant. An owner's policy protects you as the buyer and a lender's policy protects your lender. Florida's Department of Financial Services says you pay a one-time premium, and the owner's policy has no expiration date, while the lender's policy lasts until the loan is paid off (DFS title insurance overview).
The rates are set by rule
Title insurance rates come from Rule 69O-186.003 of the Florida Administrative Code (Rule 69O-186.003). An owner's policy must be issued for the full insurable value of the property, which DFS says is the sale price. DFS's own example: anyone issuing a $100,000 owner's policy in Florida should charge the same $575 base premium, "No more. No less."
| Coverage band (original rate) | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Up to $100,000 | $5.75 |
| $100,000 to $1 million | add $5.00 |
| $1 million to $5 million | add $2.50 |
| Minimum premium | $100 |
Worked examples
These are calculated directly from the rule for an owner's policy at the purchase price. They're the risk premium only; endorsements, title search, and closing fees are extra.
| Purchase price | Owner's policy premium | How it's figured |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $1,575 | $575 + 200 × $5.00 |
| $500,000 | $2,575 | $575 + 400 × $5.00 |
| $750,000 | $3,825 | $575 + 650 × $5.00 |
| $1,200,000 | $5,575 | $575 + $4,500 + 200 × $2.50 |
For condos in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood and Aventura, or houses in West Park and Dania Beach, the math is the same; only the price changes. See buyer closing costs in Broward for the rest of the closing statement.
When you can pay less
Simultaneous lender's policy. When an owner's and a lender's policy on the same property are issued together, the lender's policy is a minimum $25 for coverage up to the owner's policy amount. Coverage above that is charged at the regular mortgage rates. DFS says a lender's policy can be issued for up to 125% of the loan amount.
Reissue rate. If a previous owner's policy was issued insuring the seller, and the new policy's effective date is less than 3 years after it, the reissue rate applies: $3.30 per $1,000 up to $100,000 and $3.00 per $1,000 from there to $1 million. Any coverage above the prior policy amount is charged at the original rate. For a $500,000 policy fully within the reissue rate, that's $1,530 instead of $2,575. Ask the listing agent early whether the seller has a copy of their owner's policy, and when they bought.
New construction. The rule includes a new home purchase discount on the first sale of a newly built residential property, reduced by the premium paid for the seller's own loan policies on the property (usually the builder's construction lender), as long as the seller hasn't leased or occupied it, with a $200 minimum.
Who pays, and who picks the title agent
Your contract decides who pays for the owner's policy. DFS says the party paying the premium gets first choice of closing or title agent, the lender must approve that agent, and the buyer and seller can agree to a split closing where each uses a different agency. The rule also requires the title search, examination and closing charges to appear separately from the premium on the closing statement. Compare those service charges, because the premium itself is fixed.
Condo buyers: what the title search turns up
A title search reviews the recorded documents affecting the property, and a condo association has a lien for unpaid assessments that it can record (section 718.116). That's one reason the closing agent orders an estoppel certificate from the association; see what a condo estoppel certificate tells a buyer.
Watch for look-alike products
DFS warns that "home title lock" products are not title insurance; they typically monitor the deed for changes. It says you can check your title with the county's land records office, and some counties offer their own alerts. You can verify a title agent's license with DFS and a title company's with the Office of Insurance Regulation.
Ready to run numbers on a specific home? Use the affordability calculator, browse Hallandale Beach, Hollywood or Aventura listings, and start at Ready to buy.
Zach Curtis, Realtor, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. Equal Housing Opportunity. General information, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Examples are arithmetic from the published rule; your title agent's quote controls.
Questions? Ask Zach
I'm Zach Curtis, a REALTOR® with Realty Hub in Hallandale Beach. I help renters and buyers in Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Aventura and nearby. Zach replies personally within 15 minutes, 8 AM to 9 PM ET, 7 days. Outside those hours, by 9 AM.
Questions
How much is title insurance in Florida?
The premium is set by Rule 69O-186.003: $5.75 per $1,000 of coverage up to $100,000 and $5.00 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $1 million, with a $100 minimum. A $500,000 owner's policy works out to $2,575 before endorsements and service charges.
Can a title company charge less than the state rate in Florida?
Not on the premium. DFS says anyone issuing a $100,000 owner's policy in Florida should charge the same $575 base premium. Title search, examination and closing charges are separate and can differ.
What is the reissue rate for title insurance in Florida?
$3.30 per $1,000 up to $100,000 and $3.00 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $1 million. It applies when a prior owner's policy insured the seller and the new policy is effective less than 3 years after it.
How much is the lender's title policy in Florida?
When issued together with the owner's policy, it's a minimum $25 for coverage up to the owner's policy amount. Coverage above that amount is charged at the regular mortgage rates.
Who chooses the title company in Florida?
DFS says whoever pays the title insurance premium gets first choice of closing or title agent, subject to the lender's approval. Buyer and seller can also agree to a split closing.
Is home title lock the same as title insurance?
No. DFS says those products usually monitor your deed for changes and are not title insurance.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026 by Zach Curtis, REALTOR®, Realty Hub, license SL3664129. General information for South Florida, not legal, tax, insurance or lending advice. Laws, programs and prices change; check the official sources above, and ask a Florida attorney, CPA, insurance agent or lender about your situation. Listing numbers are asking prices and rents from BeachesMLS on the date shown. Equal Housing Opportunity. Zach Curtis and Realty Hub follow federal, Florida and Broward County fair housing law. Every listing is open to everyone. We never steer anyone by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class.