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 Mon. October / 07 / 2024 Column | You don’t have to refinance your mortgage to cut your interest The Washington Post Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 6, 2024: Rates increase in response to jobs report Yahoo Finance Housing market update: More than 4 million homeowners could refinance their mortgages - Fast Company Roundup: Refinance demand / Rouses denied / Tax reform plan Greater Baton Rouge Business Report Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 6, 2024 | Rates up As Big Fed Cuts Become Less Likely Business Insider Mortgage and refinance rates today, October 5, 2024: Rates surpass 6% for the first time in weeks Yahoo Finance Should You Refinance Your Mortgage After the Fed’s Interest Rate Cut? The New York Times These Are the Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Mortgage Refinance U.S News & World Report Money Mortgage Refinance Rates Hit a 2-Week High Investopedia What are today's mortgage refinance rates? Yahoo Finance Best mortgage refinance lenders of October 2024 Yahoo Finance Best Mortgage Refinance Lenders of October 2024 Business Insider Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 30, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 4, 2024 | Rates Up Following Strong Jobs Report Business Insider Mortgage Rates This Week NerdWallet Refinance Rates Today: Compare Mortgage Refinance Offers Business Insider Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage? Investopedia Will Mortgage Rates Fall More In October? Bankrate.com 15-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates: Compare Current Rates Business Insider Should You Refinance Your Mortgage In 2024? Bankrate.com Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 5, 2024 | Rates Tick up Near 6% in Response to Labor Market Strength Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 1, 2024 | Rates Fell Far in September. Will They Drop This Month Too? Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 2, 2024 | Rates Hold Under 6% as Markets Wait for Fresh Jobs Data Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop Back Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Hold Near 19-Month Low Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Keep Moving Higher Investopedia How to Decide If a Mortgage Refinance Is Right for You U.S News & World Report Money Today's Refinance Rates by State – Oct. 1, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Are Down, But Should You Refi to a 30-, 20-, or 15-Year Mortgage? Investopedia Should You Refinance Your Mortgage Now That the Fed Just Cut Rates? Kiplinger's Personal Finance Mortgage Interest Rates Today, October 3, 2024 | Rates Stay Put as Labor Market Continues to Show Strength Business Insider Mortgage Interest Rates Today, September 30, 2024 | Rates Are Low. Will They Go Lower This Year? Business Insider Mortgage Refinance Rates Shoot Up from 19-Month Low Investopedia The Mortgage Refinance Window Finally Cracks Open Bankrate.com What current mortgage refinance rates mean for your situation CNN Underscored Experts urge due diligence before mortgage refinance Webcenter Fairbanks FHA Streamline Refinance | Rates & Requirements for 2024 The Mortgage Reports The Truth About Refinancing Your Mortgage The Motley Fool 30-Year Mortgage Refinance Rates Sink to Cheapest Level Since Early 2023 – Sept. 12, 2024 Investopedia Today's Refinance Rates by State – Sept. 19, 2024 Investopedia Mortgage rates are down now that the Fed has started cutting rates. Is it time to consider refinancing? Business Insider Best Refinance Lenders of October 2024: Refinance Your Mortgage The Motley Fool Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop for a Third Day Investopedia Mortgage Refinance Rates Drop – Sept. 5, 2024 Investopedia 6 times when it makes sense to refinance your mortgage Yahoo Finance
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