Understanding Mortgage Default Insurance


Ensure your peace of mind

By Jorge & Alisa Aragon, Mortgage Experts with Dominion Lending Centres Mountain View
Mortgage default insurance is commonly referred to as mortgage insurance. It is often mistaken with homeowner/property insurance or mortgage life insurance. Homeowner/property insurance protects the individual’s home and possessions in the home against damages including loss, theft, fire or other unforeseen disasters. Mortgage life insurance is designed to repay any outstanding mortgage debt in the event of homeowner death or long-term disability.
The mortgage default insurance increases the opportunities for homeownership with a low down payment as saving for a 20% down payment can be difficult in today’s housing market. There are two types of mortgage options; conventional mortgages which are loans with a minimum 20% down payment and high ratio mortgages are loans with less than 20% down payment.
In Canada, mortgage insurance is required by the Government of Canada on all high-ratio mortgages. The insurance protects the mortgage lender only against a loss caused by non-payment of the mortgage by the borrower and it is not a protection for the homeowner. However, the mortgage insurance enables borrowers to purchase a home with a minimum down payment of 5%.
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The insurance protects the mortgage lender only against a loss caused by non-payment of the mortgage by the borrower and it is not a protection for the homeowner.
Mortgage default insurance is provided by insurers such as Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Genworth Financial Canada and Canada Guaranty. Each mortgage insurer has its own criteria for evaluating the borrower and the property and it decides whether or not a mortgage can be insured. The lender and not the borrower selects the mortgage insurer. It is possible that the mortgage application can be approved by the lender but might not be approved by the insurer.
The mortgage default insurance premium is a one-time charge and it is paid by the borrower to the lender. The premium can be paid in a single lump sum at the time of closing or it can be added to the mortgage amount and repaid over the amortization period (or the life of the mortgage). The cost of default insurance is calculated by multiplying the amount of the funds that are being borrowed by the default insurance premium, which typically varies between 0.5% and 6.0%. Premiums vary depending on the amortization period of the mortgage, the loan to value ratio, the size of the down payment and the product.
Example of a premium calculation for a home purchase:
Property value:     $300,000
Down payment:     5% or $15,000
Mortgage basic Loan amount:     $300,000 – $15,000 = $285,000
Amortization period:     25 years
Loan to value ratio:     95%
Premium amount:     $285,000 x 3.15%
Default insurance cost:     $8,977.50
Total mortgage amount:     $293,977.50
* The cost of default insurance is subject to change if the purchase price or appraised value, the amount of down payment or the amortization changes. The final premium and the cost of the mortgage default insurance will be disclosed in the mortgage commitment document from the lender.
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It is important to note that for insured mortgage loans the maximum purchase price or as-improved property value must be below $1,000,000. The borrowers can port the mortgage loan insurance from an existing home to a new home and may be able to save money by reducing or eliminating the premium on the financing of the new home.
Since there are different products available from individual lenders and are subject to lender’s guidelines, it is important to talk to a Mortgage Expert to analyze your situation, present several options and help you decide which product works best for you.
Jorge & Alisa Aragon
are Mortgage Experts with Dominion Lending Centres Mountain View. They are active members of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association. Jorge & Alisa focus on the overall needs and plans of their clients and then find the best mortgage to suit their needs. For more information visit YourMortgageSolutionsGroup.ca or contact them at aaragon@dominionlending.ca.
Source: Metro Vancouver New Home Guide Oct 31 – November 14, 2014 (Volume 22 Issue 22)

Original article: The Province
Read original aricle here.