[chollida1]

Ok, so if someone impersonates me and sells my home and runs off with the money this is one scenario that title insurance covers my losses. How does a government database help in this case?

This is a scenario that happens more often than you'd think with empty condos and a foreign owner who isn't around to look after their property.

You'd still need title insurance even though you have a "government maintained database"

[flerchin]

That scenario is in fact not covered by title insurance. Title insurance would be for the schmuck who bought your house.

I'm not saying that the function of title insurance companies would go away, but it would largely be obviated by an accurate single source of truth for land titling, and yes some insurance function that the government could provide for a much smaller fee.

[chollida1]

It is indeed covered as I've had a personal friend have to use it for that reason. The buyer got to keep the house and the old owner had title insurance pay them for the loss of their home.