they won't give the loan if they don't think it's safe, how does that NOT protect the buyer?You got it - “the lender requires it to protect their loan..”
The buyer has to purchase _their own_ title insurance, at additional expense, if they want to protect their interests.
Again, this all moot, since clear title is now FUBAR six ways to Sunday as a result of mortgage securitization, the MERS debacle, etc.
they won't give the loan if they don't think it's safe, how does that NOT protect the buyer?