Property boundary

A property boundary defines the legal perimeter of a parcel, as recorded in county land records. Title insurance policies use property boundaries to determine coverage limits and exceptions.

Surveyors establish property boundaries using metes and bounds or lot-and-block systems, documented on plats filed with local governments. Disputes over property boundaries often arise from encroachments like fences or driveways crossing lines, which can affect claims eligibility.

Homeowners’ insurance typically excludes losses outside the insured property boundary, such as damage to neighboring lots. Insurers require recent surveys for high-value properties in states like Texas and California to confirm accurate boundary descriptions before issuing policies.

Easements within property boundaries–such as utility access strips–are listed as exceptions on title insurance documents, YourInsurance.info states. Property line adjustments must be legally recorded before insurers update policy maps or endorsements reflecting new boundaries.