Navigating closing costs in Pennsylvania can be complex, and title insurance is often the most misunderstood line item. To help you plan with confidence, we built this PA title insurance calculator. Whether you are buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage, simply enter your transaction details below for an instant, no-obligation quote.
When closing in PA, you will likely encounter two types of policies:
Because your lender's policy only protects the bank, we always suggest an owner's policy to ensure you are fully covered. Want to dive deeper into how title defects are found?
Check out our guide: Everything You Need to Know About Title Insurance.
Title insurance rates in Pennsylvania are set by the Title Insurance Rating Bureau of Pennsylvania (TIRBOP) and the PA Department of Insurance, meaning rates are the same across every title company in the state for a given transaction type. Rates differ depending on whether you're purchasing (sale rate) or refinancing (non-sale rate), and they decrease as a percentage of price as the property value increases.
| Property Price | Sale Rate | Non-Sale Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $569 flat | $512 flat |
| $30,001 – $45,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $7.41 | $5.98 |
| $45,001 – $100,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $6.27 | $5.41 |
| $100,001 – $500,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $5.70 | $4.84 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $4.56 | $4.27 |
| $1,000,001 – $2,000,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $3.42 | $3.13 |
| $2,000,001 – $7,000,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $2.28 | $1.99 |
| $7,000,000 – $30,000,000 (per add'l $1,000) | $1.71 | $1.71 |
| $30,000,000+ (per add'l $1,000) | $1.42 | $1.42 |
For example, a $200,000 home would cost approximately $1,600 in title insurance at the sale rate, or about $1,388 at the non-sale (refinance) rate. A $500,000 home would run approximately $3,305 at the sale rate, or about $2,835 at the non-sale rate.
Pennsylvania also offers an enhanced title insurance policy that provides broader protection than a standard policy, typically costing about 10% more. Using the $200,000 example above, an enhanced policy would run approximately $1,754 at the sale rate or $1,521 at the non-sale rate.
Want the full breakdown of what enhanced coverage adds? See our Enhanced Coverage page for details.
An owner's title insurance policy is based on the purchase price of the property, while a lender's title insurance policy is based on the loan amount.
Yes. Because rates are set by the Title Insurance Rating Bureau of Pennsylvania (TIRBOP), title insurance premiums are standardized across all providers statewide. You'll pay the same base rate regardless of which title company you choose.
Unlike homeowners or auto insurance, title insurance is a one-time premium paid at closing. If you purchase both an owner's and a lender's policy, you'll pay a one-time premium for each.
Yes. Even though the home itself is new, the land it sits on has a prior ownership history and could carry undiscovered title issues. An owner's policy protects you against any such issues that a title search doesn't catch.
A lender's policy is tied to a specific mortgage, not the property itself. When you refinance, your original mortgage is paid off and replaced with a new one, so a new lender's policy is required , even if you refinance with the same lender.
Title insurance generally doesn't cover damage from natural disasters, pest infestations, fire damage, or financial losses resulting from an inadequate property inspection. It specifically protects against title defects, not physical property issues.
An owner's policy remains in effect for as long as you or your heirs own the property. A lender's policy remains in effect until the associated mortgage is paid off.
Most title searches and commitments are completed within 4–5 business days, giving you time to confirm the property is free of liens before closing.
The buyer typically pays for title insurance and has the legal right to choose the title company, though many buyers rely on a recommendation from their real estate agent.
Because rates are state-regulated, title insurance premiums themselves are generally not negotiable. However, buyers can sometimes negotiate with sellers to cover the cost, and discounted "reissue" rates may apply if the property was sold within the last several years.
The easiest way is to use the PA title insurance calculator on this page , enter your property price and transaction type (purchase or refinance) for an instant estimate. You can also use the rate table above to calculate your estimate manually based on your property's price tier.
Rates depend primarily on your property's purchase price (or loan amount for a lender's policy), whether the transaction is a purchase or a refinance, and whether you choose a standard or enhanced policy. Because PA rates are state-regulated, which title company you use does not affect the base premium.
For a $200,000 home purchase, an owner's title insurance policy typically costs around $1,600 at the standard sale rate. Costs scale with property price ( see the rate table above for a full breakdown by price tier ).
Have questions about your title insurance estimate, or ready to get started? Contact Pride Abstract & Settlement Services today , call for free at 888-700-7118, or reach our Stroudsburg, Coopersburg, or Bethlehem, PA offices directly.
