The Contiguity Endorsment Explained

By

Michael Roussis

Michael Roussis

Coverage afforded by a standard ALTA title policy issued in Florida may be extended by one or more endorsements, so long as such endorsements are approved by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). One such permitted endorsement is the Contiguity Endorsement.

When to Request a Contiguity Endorsement

If you are obtaining a policy of title insurance which identifies two or more parcels in Schedule A of the policy, and you would like to be insured that certain of those parcels are contiguous along a shared boundary line without a gap, you should request a Contiguity Endorsement.

Significance of Contiguity

In many instances, a named insured is acquiring multiple parcels of real property with the expectation, and on the basis, that two or more of such parcels are contiguous to each other. Oftentimes, a purchaser would likely not complete an acquisition if parcel contiguity did not exist. For example, in situations where a developer is assembling multiple parcels to complete a large-scale development, such project may not be feasible but for the contiguity of parcels. In addition, contiguity of parcels may be necessary to satisfy certain zoning requirements.

How to Request a Contiguity Endorsement

In order to have a Contiguity Endorsement issued together with a title policy, the proposed insured should provide to the underwriter a survey showing the applicable parcels as contiguous, together with a surveyor’s certificate or affidavit attesting that the applicable parcels are contiguous.