Texas Title Insurance Rates Dropped in 2026: What the Change Means for Real Estate Transactions

Texas real estate transactions received a notable cost adjustment in 2026. Effective March 1, 2026, Texas title insurance basic premium rates decreased by 6.2%, following an order from the Texas Commissioner of Insurance.

The change applies across the Texas real estate market, making it relevant not only to residential transactions, but also to commercial acquisitions, refinances, development projects and lenders financing real estate throughout the state.

What Changed?

Unlike many other states, title insurance rates in Texas are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Title companies do not independently set the basic premium charged for a title insurance policy. Instead, TDI establishes the applicable rates and rate rules.

In December 2025, the Texas Commissioner of Insurance ordered a 6.2% reduction in basic premium rates, with the new rates taking effect March 1, 2026. The updated rate schedule applies to title insurance policies issued in both residential and commercial real estate transactions.

What Do the New Rates Look Like?

Texas calculates the basic title premium according to the amount of the policy. Under the new schedule, policies above $100,000 are calculated using a tiered formula.

The following table compares the basic premiums before and after the rate reduction based upon example policy amounts:

These examples illustrate why the rate reduction can be meaningful across a wide range of transaction sizes. While the savings on an individual residential transaction may be relatively modest, the dollar impact becomes more significant as policy amounts increase on larger commercial transactions.

What Policies Do the Rate Changes Affect?

The rate reduction applies to the basic title premiums for both Owner’s Title Policies and Loan Title Policies.

Does Every Title Company Charge the Same Rate?

For title insurance premiums, yes. Texas regulates title insurance rates, and title companies must charge the rates established by TDI for the applicable policy and rate rules.

Does the Premium Rate Reduction Impact Policy Endorsements?

Yes, in certain cases, the reduction in Texas title insurance basic premium rates also reduces the cost of policy endorsements.

Texas title insurance endorsements provide additional or modified coverage to an Owner’s or Loan Policy, and, like the basic premium, the fee charged for an endorsement is determined by the applicable Texas Department of Insurance rate rule. Some endorsements carry a fixed-dollar premium, while others are priced as a percentage of the Basic Premium Rate.

For endorsements calculated as a percentage of the Basic Premium Rate, the March 1, 2026 rate reduction has a corresponding effect: when the underlying basic premium decreases, the endorsement premium decreases as well, subject to any applicable minimum premium or other requirements under the relevant rate rule.