Unlike traditional insurance, title insurance doesn’t cover future events, but instead protects against unknown or unresolved issues concerning the legal ownership of a property. Those could be anything from missing planning permissions or restrictive covenants to unregistered land, rights of access, or legal errors in the Land Registry.

In bridging, where speed is critical, any one of these issues can derail a deal.

StreamBank’s decision to introduce title insurance on all bridging loans up to £2m reflects the growing demand for speed and assurance. The policy is underwritten by Westcor.

It guarantees the lender’s first charge is enforceable, and the title is good and marketable. On purchases and refinances, whether through single or dual legal representation, the policy gives deals the green light to proceed faster and with fewer solicitor checks.

This latest development builds on the momentum of our StreamLine bridging product, which was specifically designed for brokers who value ease of execution and want to avoid the pitfalls of extended underwriting and sluggish legal chains.

Together, this combination represents a deliberate shift towards tech-enabled, broker-friendly bridging. For us, these aren’t just product or policy tweaks, they are structural enhancements designed to make life easier for brokers who are already under pressure to deliver.

The benefits to brokers are clear. Deals that might have previously stalled in legal due diligence can now move forward with confidence.

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Time-sensitive cases, like auction purchases or projects under developer pressure, benefit from an alternative to exhaustive solicitor sign-offs.

If the case involves multiple properties or unusual circumstances, title insurance offers brokers a lifeline due to its ability to unlock a transaction without exposing clients or lenders to additional risk.

For lenders, the benefits go beyond speed. Title insurance supports a stronger risk profile, especially for regulated or institutional funders who require clean, insurable documentation.

This improves their ability to agree deals by enabling more transactions in shorter timeframes, and offers certainty where it might otherwise be absent.

These efficiencies matter more now than ever. The fundamentals of the residential property market are gearing up again, regardless of the spike driven by the stamp duty changes.

As base rate cuts bring confidence back to buyers and developers, the return of demand is already adding urgency to deals. Bridging is once again playing a pivotal role in enabling these transactions, whether for chain breaks, renovation projects, or seizing an opportunity at auction.

But this is not just about speed for speed’s sake. It’s about consistency, certainty and service. Title insurance supports all three.

The right policy can also protect against fraud, forgery, solicitor negligence and hidden ownership defects, risks that even the most rigorous legal process might miss.

For brokers, this translates to smoother communication, fewer back-and-forths with legal teams and faster answers. For borrowers, it means fewer lost opportunities.