Purchase (Owner + Lender)
Refinance (Lender Only)
Owner's Policy Only
Standard Tiered Rate
Enhanced / Eagle Rate (+20%)
Owner's Policy Premium:–
Lender's Policy Premium:–
Simultaneous Issue Savings:–
Total Title Premium:–
Note: This calculator provides estimates based on standard tiered rate structures commonly used by Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company (CW) and similar underwriters. Actual rates vary significantly by state, county, and specific policy endorsements. Always request an official settlement statement from your escrow officer.
function calculateTitlePremiums() {
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchasePrice').value);
var loan = parseFloat(document.getElementById('loanAmount').value);
var type = document.getElementById('policyType').value;
var structure = document.getElementById('rateStructure').value;
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById('resultsSection');
// Validation
if (isNaN(price) && type !== 'refinance') {
alert("Please enter a valid Purchase Price.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(loan) && (type === 'refinance' || type === 'purchase')) {
alert("Please enter a valid Loan Amount.");
return;
}
// Initialize variables
var ownersPremium = 0;
var lendersPremium = 0;
var total = 0;
var simultaneousSavings = 0;
// Rate Logic Helper (Standard Tiered Approach)
// Based on typical generic tiered rate:
// $0-$100k: $5.75 per $1k
// $100k-$1M: $5.00 per $1k
// $1M-$5M: $2.50 per $1k
// $5M+: $2.25 per $1k
function getBasePremium(amount) {
if (!amount || amount 100000) {
var tier2Cap = 1000000;
var tier2Rate = 5.00;
var tier2Amt = Math.min(amount, tier2Cap) – 100000;
premium += (tier2Amt / 1000) * tier2Rate;
}
// Tier 3: 1M to 5M
if (amount > 1000000) {
var tier3Cap = 5000000;
var tier3Rate = 2.50;
var tier3Amt = Math.min(amount, tier3Cap) – 1000000;
premium += (tier3Amt / 1000) * tier3Rate;
}
// Tier 4: Over 5M
if (amount > 5000000) {
var tier4Rate = 2.25;
var tier4Amt = amount – 5000000;
premium += (tier4Amt / 1000) * tier4Rate;
}
// Minimum premium usually applies
return Math.max(premium, 100);
}
// Calculate based on Type
if (type === 'ownerOnly') {
ownersPremium = getBasePremium(price);
lendersPremium = 0;
}
else if (type === 'refinance') {
// Refinance usually has a discounted "substitution" rate, estimated at ~70% of standard
ownersPremium = 0;
lendersPremium = getBasePremium(loan) * 0.70;
}
else if (type === 'purchase') {
// Standard Purchase
ownersPremium = getBasePremium(price);
// In a purchase, Lender's policy is usually a Simultaneous Issue (Sim) fee
// if purchased with Owner's.
// Standalone Lender Premium for display reference:
var standaloneLender = getBasePremium(loan);
// Sim Fee is typically flat ($25-$100) or very low.
// We will use a standard $25 sim fee + cost difference if loan > price.
var simFee = 25;
if (loan > price) {
// If loan is higher, pay difference in premiums
lendersPremium = simFee + (getBasePremium(loan) – getBasePremium(price));
} else {
lendersPremium = simFee;
}
simultaneousSavings = standaloneLender – lendersPremium;
}
// Apply Enhanced adjustment if selected
if (structure === 'enhanced') {
ownersPremium = ownersPremium * 1.20;
if (type !== 'refinance' && type !== 'purchase') {
// If lender only, apply to lender
lendersPremium = lendersPremium * 1.20;
}
}
// Rounding
ownersPremium = Math.round(ownersPremium * 100) / 100;
lendersPremium = Math.round(lendersPremium * 100) / 100;
simultaneousSavings = Math.round(simultaneousSavings * 100) / 100;
total = ownersPremium + lendersPremium;
// Display
document.getElementById('ownersPolicyRes').innerHTML = '$' + ownersPremium.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('lendersPolicyRes').innerHTML = '$' + lendersPremium.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2});
if (simultaneousSavings > 0) {
document.getElementById('simultaneousSavings').innerHTML = '-$' + simultaneousSavings.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('simultaneousSavings').parentElement.style.display = 'flex';
} else {
document.getElementById('simultaneousSavings').parentElement.style.display = 'none';
}
document.getElementById('totalPremiumRes').innerHTML = '$' + total.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2});
resultsDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding the CW Title Rate Calculator
When closing on a real estate transaction, one of the most significant closing costs is title insurance. The CW Title Rate Calculator helps homeowners, real estate agents, and loan officers estimate the premiums associated with policies underwritten by Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company (and similar major underwriters). Understanding how these rates are calculated can help you better prepare for your closing disclosure (CD) and Loan Estimate (LE).
What is CW (Commonwealth) Title Insurance?
"CW" generally refers to Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, one of the largest title insurers in the United States. Title insurance protects your property rights against claims resulting from past events, such as forged deeds, undisclosed heirs, or recording errors. Unlike other insurance types that protect against future events, title insurance is a one-time premium paid at closing that covers you for as long as you own the property.
How Are Title Rates Calculated?
Title insurance rates are regulated at the state level, but most follow a "tiered" or "bracketed" structure based on the liability amount. The liability amount is usually the Purchase Price for an Owner's Policy and the Loan Amount for a Lender's Policy.
Owner's Policy: Protects the buyer. The premium is based on the full purchase price of the home.
Lender's Policy: Protects the mortgage lender. The premium is based on the loan amount.
Simultaneous Issue: If you buy both policies at the same time (common in a purchase), the Lender's Policy is often significantly discounted. This is known as a "Simultaneous Issue" rate, which our calculator automatically computes.
Standard vs. Enhanced Rates
Many title companies, including Commonwealth, offer two levels of coverage:
Standard Coverage: Covers basic title defects like forgery, fraud, and recording errors.
Enhanced (Eagle) Coverage: Usually costs about 10-20% more but adds coverage for post-policy forgery, building permit violations, and zoning issues. You can toggle between these options in the calculator above to see the cost difference.
Using This Calculator for Refinancing
If you are refinancing, you typically do not need a new Owner's Policy, as your original policy remains valid. However, your new lender will require a new Lender's Policy. Refinance rates are often lower than purchase rates because the title history was recently verified. Select "Refinance" in the Transaction Type dropdown to see the estimated "Reissue" or "Substitution" rate.