{"id":159361,"date":"2023-09-30T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=159361"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:07:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T17:07:58","slug":"great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance","title":{"rendered":"How a Fire in Chicago Created Title Insurance and Changed Real Estate Forever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. And old it is. Perhaps&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Necessity_is_the_mother_of_invention\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the earliest expression of this sentiment<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;came some 2,400 years ago from Aesop\u2019s fable&nbsp;<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Crow and the Pitcher<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">From the invention of the wheel to facilitate travel or the steam engine to facilitate travel even better, there are many such examples throughout history of necessity egging on an invention to meet that need. One particularly good example relates to finance and accounting.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Throughout much of human history, traveling was fraught with peril, pirates, thieves, storms, other natural disasters, etc., which made commerce (not to mention vacations) rather difficult, to say the least. Then, in 13th-century Florence,&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Double-entry_bookkeeping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">double-entry accounting and bills of exchange were introduced<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. This allowed exchanges to be done on a ledger without the risk of a bulky bag of silver coins tempting some would-be bandit prowling about some medieval road in the middle of nowhere.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">More recently, finance has seen more invention with things like collateralized debt obligations, which were created to better diversify portfolios of mortgage-backed securities\u2014OK, scratch that last one. Sometimes\u2014perhaps particularly in the world of finance\u2014invention can be the mother of disaster.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When it comes to title insurance, however, it was the other way around: Disaster was the mother of invention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"lg:block\" x-data=\"{ ad_block_block_651b26fc0e426: popAds(1) }\">\n      <template x-for=\"ad in ad_block_block_651b26fc0e426\">\n        <a\n          :href=\"ad.linkURL\"\n          class=\"no-underline text-black\"\n          x-on:click=\"adClicked('https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance', ad.sponsor, ad.title, ad.id, 'blockAdClicked', 'blockAd', '')\"\n          target=\"_blank\">\n          <div\n            class=\"py-4 border-b flex flex-col flex-nowrap text-sm border-t px-0 rounded-none\"\n            x-init=\"\n              analytics.track('blockAdLoaded', {\n                referrer: 'https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance',\n                sponsor: ad.sponsor,\n                ad_title: ad.title,\n                ad_page_location: ''\n              })\n            \"\n            x-intersect:enter.once=\"adViewed('https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance', ad.sponsor, ad.title, ad.id, 'blockAdViewed', 'blockAd', '')\">\n            <div><span class=\"text-xs text-slate-light block bg-slate-50 p-1 inline-block rounded-md\">Sponsored<\/span><\/div>\n            <div class=\"flex items-center text-sm space-x-4\">\n                <img :src=\"ad.imageURL\" :alt=\"ad.imageAlt\" class=\"h-10 w-10 object-cover rounded-full\">\n\n                <div clas=\"text-sm\">\n                    <span class=\"font-bold block\" x-text=\"ad.sponsor\"><\/span>\n                    <span class=\"text-slate\/80\" x-text=\"ad.description\"><\/span>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div>\n                <span class=\"font-bold\" x-text=\"ad.title\"><\/span>\n                <p class=\"mt-2 text-slate\/80\" x-text=\"ad.body\"><\/p>\n                <span class=\"mt-2 text-themeBlue block mt-2 underline\" x-text=\"ad.linkTitle\"><\/span>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/a>\n      <\/template>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Why Title Insurance Is Important<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As any real estate investor worth their salt knows, buying a property without going through a title company or attorney (depending on the state) is a no-no, and&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/glossary\/title-insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">paying for title insurance<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;to guarantee there are no other liens or encumbrances on a property is an absolute must. Buying a property without going through title or with just a quitclaim deed in an arms-length transaction is basically just begging to be scammed. (That said, there are some instances, like buying foreclosure auction properties, where title insurance is not available. In such cases, you should still do a thorough title search and be extra careful.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A title insurance company insures that the title is clear and marketable. If there are any&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/what-is-a-lien\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">liens<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;or encumbrances the title company missed, they will pay the cost to remedy. Thus, the title insurance business works like any other insurance company, and the small cost to buy title insurance for every transaction ensures buyers the property they are getting is free and clear while simultaneously making it easier for sellers to sell their properties as potential buyers don\u2019t have to worry if there are any looming mechanic\u2019s liens or old mortgages out there waiting for the most inopportune time to surface.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Related:&nbsp;<\/span><\/em><\/strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/property-lien-search\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How To Search for Liens on a Property<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Great Chicago Fire of 1871<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But what would real estate investing be if title insurance simply didn\u2019t exist? Well, for one, it would be a lot riskier. And this was the case throughout the first 100 years of American history\u2014 and just about all human history\u2014up until the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At least in terms of the amount of real estate destroyed, that fire was&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Great_Chicago_Fire\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the most devastating in American history<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The fire killed approximately 300 people and left more than 100,000 residents homeless.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to Wikipedia:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0\u201cEventually, the city determined that the fire destroyed an area about 4 miles long and averaging three-quarters [of a] mile wide, encompassing an area of more than 2,000 acres. Destroyed were more than 73 miles of roads, 120 miles of sidewalk, 2,000 lampposts, 17,500 buildings, and $222 million in property, which was about a third of the city&#8217;s valuation in 1871.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Supposedly, Mrs. O\u2019Leary\u2019s&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/greatchicagofire.org\/oleary-legend\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cow knocked over a lantern in her barn<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, which started the whole conflagration (or perhaps it was some kids playing cards with&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/ct-xpm-1998-03-03-9803030082-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a lantern that got knocked over<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;during the game.) The truth is buried in the sands of time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Either way, the cause of the fire was not the reason it was so devastating. Chicago had been rapidly growing, and cheap housing was being thrown up at the same time the city was becoming more and more dense. In addition, most of the city\u2019s buildings were made of wood and had balloon framing, which is vulnerable to fires.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Most buildings also had tar or shingle roofs that were quite flammable. Even many of the roads and sidewalks were made of wood. And the city\u2019s fire department was grossly understaffed. One spark\u2014wherever it came from\u2014mixed with hot, dry conditions was bound to set off a catastrophic fire.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Origins of Title Insurance<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As with most financial inventions, title insurance evolved over time. The first traces of it began in 1847, as the West Ridge Historical Society&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpwrhs.org\/w\/index.php?title=Chicago_Title_and_Trust_Company\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">notes<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, when \u201can obscure young law clerk, Edward A. Rucker, devised a system of keeping track of every recorded instrument and legal proceeding affecting real estate titles. This saved attorneys the laborious task of searching official records in connection with transfers of real property. It was a valuable service that was welcomed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Several others joined Rucker in this endeavor that helped attorneys search through records before the Great Fire made this service absolutely essential because one of the 17,500 structures that went up in flames was the county courthouse, where all the abstracts were held.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Fortunately, three of these nascent title companies had \u201csnatched their records from the inferno.\u201d Shortly thereafter, the records were compiled in a safe place and turned over to a newly organized firm named Handy, Simmons, Smith and Stocker.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In 1872, the Illinois Legislature passed the&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ctic.com\/history2.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Burnt Records Act<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, which made it so \u201cthe existing abstract records of the three companies were made admissible as evidence in all courts of record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">But what was to be done about the records that were irretrievably lost? And what was to ensure potential property buyers that the property they were buying didn\u2019t have multiple liens\u2014which couldn\u2019t be found unless you count the ash heap where the courthouse used to be as \u201cfound?\u201d These liens still might exist, though, and be held by a long-forgotten uncle somewhere off in Nantucket to return with a lien in hand to demand restitution at the most inopportune time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It took some time (and technically, they were beaten to the punch by a small outfit in Philadelphia named the Real Estate Title Insurance Company of Philadelphia in 1876), but in 1887, under the&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpwrhs.org\/w\/index.php?title=Chicago_Title_and_Trust_Company\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">General Trust Company Act<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, which \u201cgranted qualified corporations the right to act as executor, administrator, guardian, and trustee, and as fiduciary in other capacities,\u201d the company that would become Chicago Title and Trust Co. began issuing what we now call title insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Yes, it should be no surprise that one of the largest title companies in the world was born in Chicago. (Chicago Title was&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-2000-mar-21-fi-11002-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">bought by Fidelity National<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;in 2000.)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Title insurance was&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpwrhs.org\/w\/index.php?title=Chicago_Title_and_Trust_Company\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a game changer<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;for rebuilding Chicago in the late 19th century. According to the Rogers Park\/West Ridge Historical Society&#8217;s HistoryWiki:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cTo Chicago, [title insurance] brought a new element of stability in property ownership. Now, since titles were insured, Chicagoans needed no longer fear that the ghost of a former owner would rise out of the past to threaten the ownership of their homes or businesses. Loans were more available to property buyers and home builders, and Chicago&#8217;s growth was given a new impetus.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Indeed, title insurance was so important in giving the citizens of a ruined Chicago the confidence and impetus to rebuild that the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois declared Aug. 16, 2022, to be&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetitlereport.com\/Articles\/Chicago-Title-and-Trust-Company-Day-declared-86032.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chicago Title and Trust Day<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Says an article in&nbsp;<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Title Report<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe day was established in recognition of Chicago Title\u2019s role in rebuilding the city after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. During the fire, the official property ownership records of the city were destroyed. Chicago Title managed to preserve its records, which became the foundation of rebuilding the city.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">While the Great Fire made title insurance essential in Chicago, it was quickly realized that such a service was useful to any property buyer anywhere. Indeed, it\u2019s been pointed out that some of the major problems in developing countries that inhibit economic growth are insecure property rights and unclear or extralegal property arrangements. Without title insurance, there was always ambiguity regarding property ownership, which inhibited economic growth (and could also cause complete ruin to a good number of individuals).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Thus, title insurance spread across the country. First American Title traces&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.firstam.com\/company-history\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">its roots to 1889<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Stewart Title&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stewart.com\/en\/about-stewart.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was founded in 1893<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Old Republic Title in&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.oldrepublictitle.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1907<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and Fidelity National Title began&nbsp;<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fntic.com\/aboutus.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">issuing title insurance in 1920<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Soon enough, title insurance became standard in all property transactions.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Closing Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">So if you\u2019re ever tempted to skip on paying for title insurance, just remember that 300 people had to die in a fire that destroyed almost a third of one of America\u2019s most prestigious cities for this exceptional financial device to exist and prevent homebuyers and real estate investors alike from making a very costly mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_1333d2c11ce45a2369612ce190bf7059\" class=\"visibility-group  hidden\">\n        \n\n<div id=\"hero-block_1e585b9edd6fe635bf6a8671b0691980\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4  alignwide   has-background has-theme-gold-light-background-color has-text-color has-theme-gold-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\" flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 w-full \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<p class=\"has-theme-gold-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">Get the Best Loan Today<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-slate-900-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Find trusted, <em><strong>investor-friendly<\/strong><\/em> lenders who specialize in your strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_e585e213733e2b7b99adbad5d0c44220 class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/business\/finder\/lenders\" x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track(&#039;Blog Block | B2C Marketplace Lender Finder&#039;, {\n      referrer: &#039;https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance&#039;,\n    });\" class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-gold-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Find a Lender<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\" first:mt-0 relative h-full lg:flex lg:items-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover w-full relative z-20 my-0  rounded-md hidden lg:block\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Marketplace-Blog-Blocks-Lender-v3.png\" alt=\"investor friendly lender, investor friendly real estate loans\" title=\"\">\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n    \n  <div id=\"visibility-group-block_64dd31c79f00f\" class=\"visibility-group  \">\n        \n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"hero-block_64dd2875dba9d\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4    has-background has-slate-100-background-color has-text-color has-theme-slate-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\" flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 w-full \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading my-0 tracking-tight font-extrabold has-theme-slate-dark-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">Join the community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-theme-slate-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400\">Ready to succeed in real estate investing? Create a free BiggerPockets account to learn about investment strategies; ask questions and get answers from our community of +2 million members; connect with investor-friendly agents; and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_64dd2888dba9e class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/signup\" x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track(&#039;Blog Block | Acquisition | Free Membership Signup&#039;, {\n      referrer: &#039;https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/great-chicago-fire-and-the-emergence-of-title-insurance&#039;,\n    });\" class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-blue-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Sign Up<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Title insurance wasn&#8217;t just thought up one day. It took a huge fire and a ton of loss to bring it to the forefront.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1689,"featured_media":159363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7401],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-159361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insurance"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1689"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}