How Good a Deal Is Your Banks Mortgage Insurance Plan?When you go to the bank to get a mortgage, you'll inevitably be asked to take out mortgage insurance. The idea behind mortgage insurance is simply that if something happens to you or your spouse then your loan will be paid off which is good news for your family and the bank. Most financial institutions act like they are doing you a favor by offering you mortgage insurance through their own group plan, but are they? The truth is that you could probably get a much better deal and at least an equal amount of protection by shopping around for your own insurance policy. Essentially, mortgage insurance is no different than term-life insurance. With both, your policy only lasts for a specified period of time and pays its benefits if something happens to you or your spouse. The real difference comes down to how much control you'll have over your policy and how much you'll pay for it. If you choose to use the mortgage insurance offered by the bank, you will not be able to customize a policy to fit your needs and you'll be lumped together with other borrowers under a group plan. Because of this, you will only have limited control over your policy. For example, through a third party provider, you would be able to choose your own beneficiary, decide how to spend the proceeds if necessary, and cancel the policy at any time. You would not have these options with a lending institution. Additionally, the bank maintains the right to not renew your policy and to cancel the policy when you sell the house. If you find your own insurance provider, you can make those decisions yourself. The other big difference is cost. A third party insurance policy's premiums will not go up, so you would pay the same premium today that you'd pay ten years from now. You won't get that same guarantee from a bank which can and probably will increase your premiums during the life of the policy. In most cases, you'll probably pay more through a bank anyway. In fact, you could pay as much as 40% more than you would if you shopped around and found your own insurance provider. Not to mention that the policy you take out through your bank will gradually decrease in value while a plan you select from an outside source will be worth the same amount during the entire policy period. Of course, many people don't mind paying more for their mortgage insurance because it's more convenient than dealing with insurance agents. The truth is that you can easily find a policy that fits your needs and provides affordable premiums via the Internet. An organization, such as the Hughes Trustco Group, can even generate quotes for you from multiple insurance providers so you'll know that you're receiving the best deal possible on the policy you want. The bottom line is that mortgage insurance is important and should be part of your home buying or refinancing preparations, but that does not mean you need to pay more or let the bank make important decisions for you. Instead, you should find your own personal plan from a third party provider which will let you stay in control of your policy and will save you money in the long run. Ivon T. Hughes, The Hughes Trustco Group Ltd. Canadian Insurance Broker - Get a FREE Quote TODAY! Tel: (514)842-9001 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.trustco.ca
MORE RESOURCES updated Wed. February / 05 / 2025 Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 2, 2025: Lowest 30-year rate since mid-December Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 3, 2025: Rates could stay at this level for a while Yahoo Finance Today's Refinance Rates by State – Feb. 4, 2025 Investopedia Today's Mortgage Rates | What Do Tariffs Mean for Rates? Business Insider MetLife Building nears $1.5B refinancing Crain's New York Business Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 21, 2024: Better time to buy than refinance Yahoo Finance How to Refinance Your Mortgage NerdWallet Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of February 2025 Business Insider Should I refinance my mortgage in 2025? Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, February 1, 2025: The 30-year rate decreases for a full week Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of February 2025 Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 29, 2025: Rates will probably stay high for a while Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 31, 2025: How can you snag a rate under 7%? Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Are Down. How Long Will This Last? Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 27, 2025: This week's Fed meeting could cause rates to shift Yahoo Finance Will Mortgage Rates Go Down In January? Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 22, 2025: High rates could be here to stay Yahoo Finance Will Interest Rates Go Down in February? | Predictions 2025 The Mortgage Reports Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2025? Ask Again Later. U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 19, 2025: How to get a good deal when rates are high Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Down, Even as Inflation Ticks Up Business Insider Mortgage Rate History: 1970s To 2025 Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 17, 2025: Don't be alarmed by this week's high rates Yahoo Finance Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 15, 2025: Rates might not change much in response to the CPI Yahoo Finance Refinance Rates Decline for a Third Day Investopedia Today's Mortgage Rates, January 30, 2025 | Rates Tick Down As Fed Eyes Elevated Inflation Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 11, 2025: Rates increase after strong jobs report Yahoo Finance Today's Mortgage Rates | Rates Start the Month a Bit Lower Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 12, 2025: How can you get a good deal in a high-rate environment? Yahoo Finance Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 29, 2025 Investopedia How The Fed's Rate Decisions Move Mortgage Rates Bankrate.com Today's Mortgage Rates | Is This as Low as Mortgage Rates Will Go? Business Insider Should I Refinance My Mortgage Now or Wait Until 2026? Norada Real Estate Investments Mortgage and refinance rates today, January 13, 2025: Inflation could push rates higher Yahoo Finance When Is It Worth It to Refinance Your Mortgage? | 2025 The Mortgage Reports 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Home Equity Loan Or HELOC Vs. Cash-Out Refinance Bankrate.com Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 28, 2025 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Jan. 8, 2025 Investopedia Refinance Rates Today January 30, 2025: Trends and Insights Norada Real Estate Investments 2025 Mortgage Rate Predictions: Will Rates Fall? The Mortgage Reports How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money How to get the best refinance rate on your mortgage Bankrate.com FHA Streamline Refinance | Rates & Requirements for 2025 The Mortgage Reports Best Cash-Out Refinance Lenders Of 2025 Bankrate.com Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 31, 2024: Rates decrease across the board Yahoo Finance Refinance Rates Inch Lower for a Second Day Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 18, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage and refinance rates today, December 14, 2024: Economic factors drive rates back up Yahoo Finance Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-Year, 20-Year, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Dec. 24, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Climb to Two-Month High Investopedia
|