What is the difference between a general warranty deed and a special warranty deed?

• A. General warranty covers all claims; special warranty covers only during grantor's ownership.
• B. Special warranty covers all claims.
• C. They are the same.
• D. General warranty covers only during grantor's ownership.

Answer: (A)

In property transactions, the key difference is how far the grantor guarantees about title. A general warranty deed provides the broadest protection: the grantor promises that the title is free from claims for any period, not just during their ownership. It covers issues that may have come up under previous owners and includes covenants that the grantor has the right to convey, that there are no encumbrances, that the buyer’s quiet enjoyment is protected, and that the grantor will defend and remedy title problems, even those originating before the grantor held the property.

A special warranty deed narrows that protection. The grantor only warrants against title problems that occurred during their own ownership; issues that arose before they owned the property aren’t covered.

So the statement that general warranty covers all claims and special warranty covers only during the grantor’s ownership describes the true difference. The other options misstate the scope of the warranties or imply they’re the same.