Title Insurance in Texas: Rates, Who Pays & How to Verify a License
Texas is one of a handful of states where title insurance premiums are promulgated — set by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) — so every title company charges exactly the same premium for the same policy. What varies between companies is service quality and the fees they control, like escrow and closing fees. That changes how you should shop for a title company in Texas.
How Texas title insurance rates work
Texas regulates title insurance more tightly than almost any other state. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) promulgates both the policy forms and the premium rates: for a given coverage amount, the premium is fixed by rule, published in TDI's Basic Premium Rates table, and every licensed title company must charge exactly that amount. On a $300,000 policy the premium comes to roughly $2,000 — but don't take our word for it: TDI publishes an official rate calculator, and any Texas title company can quote you the same number.
So how do you compare Texas title companies?
Since the premium is identical everywhere, compare what actually differs:
- Escrow and closing fees — these are set by each company and can differ by hundreds of dollars.
- Service and responsiveness — ratings and reviews are a good proxy; our listings show both.
- Licensing — confirm the agent is licensed with TDI. Our verified badges are exact matches against TDI's records.
- Location and convenience — mobile closings, office hours, and whether they handle your county.
Who pays for what in a Texas closing
Allocation is negotiable in the contract. The most common custom: the seller pays the owner's title policy premium and the buyer pays the lender's policy, escrow fee is often split. In competitive markets these customs shift, so read your contract — the TREC standard forms make the allocation explicit.
Verifying a Texas title agent's license
Title agents and direct operations in Texas are licensed by TDI. The licensed-agent records are public data. Every listing on VerifiedTitles showing a green License Verified badge has been matched — exactly, name and city — against those records, and we never guess: read our verification methodology. For anything ambiguous, confirm directly with TDI before closing.
Find a title company in Texas
Browse our directory of Texas title companies by city — including Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio — with ratings, hours and verified licenses.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for title insurance in Texas?
It's negotiable and set in the purchase contract. Customarily the seller pays for the owner's policy and the buyer pays for the lender's policy, but the standard TREC contract lets the parties allocate it either way.
Are title insurance rates the same at every Texas title company?
Yes. Premiums are promulgated by the Texas Department of Insurance, so the policy premium is identical everywhere. Escrow fees, closing fees and courtesy services differ — that's where comparison pays off.
How do I verify a Texas title agent's license?
Search the Texas Department of Insurance licensed title agent records (available through the Texas Open Data Portal), or look for the "License Verified" badge on our listings — each badge is an exact match against those official records.
Last updated July 18, 2026. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.