What type of deed offers the highest level of protection for the grantee?

A general warranty deed provides the highest level of protection for the grantee because it includes a comprehensive set of guarantees regarding the property. When using a general warranty deed, the grantor not only conveys the property to the grantee but also makes several covenants that protect the grantee's ownership rights.

These covenants typically include guarantees that the grantor has the legal authority to sell the property, that the property is free from liens or encumbrances (except those that are explicitly stated), and that the grantor will defend the title against any claims. This means that if any issues arise regarding the title that were not disclosed or if someone tries to claim ownership, the grantor is obligated to work to resolve these issues on behalf of the grantee.

In contrast, a quitclaim deed offers no guarantees about the title; the grantor simply conveys whatever interest they have, if any, without asserting that it is a good title. A special warranty deed offers some protections but only for the time the grantor owned the property, not for the entire history of the title. A transfer deed is a more generic term that may not imply any warranties regarding the title at all, depending on the jurisdiction.

Thus, among the options, the general warranty