Ohio's 2026 Title Insurance Rate Increase

The First Rate Change in Over Two Decades
For the first time since 2002, Ohio has updated its title insurance rate schedule. The new rates took effect for orders received on or after January 1, 2026, meaning any home purchase or refinance closing this year is subject to the updated pricing. If you bought a home before this year and are shopping again in 2026, you may notice your closing disclosure looks a little different than you remember.

The Ohio Title Insurance Rating Bureau, which approves rate changes for the entire state, made the adjustment after 24 years without one. Because Ohio uses a filed-rate system, the core title insurance premium is the same statewide and does not vary by which title agency you choose, so understanding the new numbers helps set accurate expectations no matter where you close.

What Changed and Why
• The minimum title insurance premium is now $225

• Rates for the first $250,000 of property value total $5.80 per $1,000, with a gradually easing scale above that threshold

• Lender's policy rates increased as well, alongside owner's policy rates

According to industry representatives, the increase reflects several real changes since 2002: Ohio home values have roughly doubled, title agents now navigate significantly more regulatory requirements, deed transactions require more time and resources to complete properly, and claims from deed holders have been rising. The rise of sophisticated online forgery and fraud schemes, largely nonexistent 24 years ago, has also increased the complexity and risk involved in clearing a title.

How This Affects Your Closing
The higher premium adds to your total closing costs, whether you're buying, selling, or refinancing. Because the core rate is set statewide, comparing title companies is really about comparing service, communication, and the other fees they charge, like transfer or closing fees, rather than searching for a lower base premium somewhere else.

• Ask your real estate agent whether the buyer or seller customarily pays for title insurance in your transaction

• Ask whether you qualify for a simultaneous issue discount when purchasing both a lender's and an owner's policy together

• If you're refinancing, ask whether your existing policy can be reissued at a discounted rate rather than purchasing a brand-new one

• Factor the updated premium into your closing cost estimate early, rather than being surprised at the closing table

Why an Owner's Policy Is Still Worth It
An owner's title policy is optional, but it's the only coverage that protects your interest in the home directly, since a lender's policy only protects the lender's loan collateral. Even with the updated premium, an owner's policy can shield you from real financial exposure if a title problem surfaces after closing, such as an old lien, an heir's claim, or an error in the property's legal description. As rates rise industry-wide, that protection remains one of the most cost-effective forms of insurance a homeowner can buy.

What Homebuyers Should Do Next
If you're preparing to buy, sell, or refinance in Ohio this year, the best approach is simply to build the updated premium into your budget from the outset rather than treating it as a surprise line item. Ask your title company for a written estimate early in the process so there are no last-minute questions at the closing table, and don't hesitate to ask how the simultaneous issue and reissue discounts might apply to your specific transaction.

Rate changes like this one are a good reminder to periodically review your closing cost assumptions, especially if it's been a few years since your last transaction. A knowledgeable title agent can walk you through exactly how the new schedule applies to your purchase price and help you understand every line of your closing disclosure.