Title insurance insures a _____ right of access to a public roadway.

The correct answer is legal because title insurance primarily protects the policyholder against financial loss due to defects in the title of a property, including issues related to ownership and rights of access. When it comes to access to a public roadway, title insurance ensures that there are no legal encumbrances or claims that would prevent the property owner from utilizing that access. Legal rights pertain to the recognized entitlements granted to a property owner by law, establishing their ability to enter and exit their property via public roadways without obstruction.

Physical, transient, and progressive rights do not accurately capture the essence of what title insurance aims to protect. A physical right would imply a tangible aspect of access but does not encompass the legal complexities involved in property ownership. Transient rights suggest temporary access, which does not reflect the ongoing legal protection afforded by title insurance. Progressive rights imply a gradual increase in access rights, which is not relevant in the context of established title insurance principles. Thus, legal is the most appropriate term to describe the rights insuring access to public roadways in this context.