Rood v. Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company - Superior Court - October 18, 2007
http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/Superior/out/a24045_07.pdf
Title insurance policy held not to cover claim for defective on-site sewage system. The purpose of title insurance is to protect from loss arising from defects in the title which the buyer acquires. Such a contract is construed strictly in favor of the buyer. The court rejected coverage for the defective sewer system, in spite of the argument that the title was rendered unmarketable by this defect, whose disclosure might cause a reduction in price. The court looked to decisions from other states in reaching its decision, in which it found a "dearth of authorities dealing with this precise question." Ultimately, the court rejected the argument that sought to equate an abandoned septic tank with a "defect, lien or encumbrance affecting title to the property." It held that plaintiff's argument confused economic lack of marketability with title marketability. Summary judgment was properly granted to the defendant.
