The term Mortgage insurance may in some contexts refer to Private mortgage insurance (PMI), also known as Lenders mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance protects the lender instead of the borrower, although its premiums are payable by the borrower. This type of insurance is compulsory in certain jurisdictions for mortgages started with low down payments.
In the United States, subject to Homeowners Protection Act of 1998, a borrower who provides less than 20% down payment up front may be required to pay for private mortgage insurance until the outstanding mortgage is less than 80% of the value of the property.
Read more about this topic: Mortgage Life Insurance
Famous quotes containing the words private, mortgage and/or insurance:
“I throw myself on your discretion and shew my confidence in it when I thus venture to write in a private character what seems to contradict my public duty.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“Loosened from the minor’s tether;
Free to mortgage or to sell,
Wild as wind, and light as feather
Bid the slaves of thrift farewell.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“Before I get through with you, you will have a clear case for divorce and so will my wife. Now, the first thing to do is arrange for a settlement. You take the children, your husband takes the house, Junior burns down the house, you take the insurance and I take you!”
—S.J. Perelman, U.S. screenwriter, Arthur Sheekman, Will Johnstone, and Norman Z. McLeod. Groucho Marx, Monkey Business, terms for a divorce settlement proposed while trying to woo Lucille Briggs (Thelma Todd)