For many people, buying their first home is the biggest investment they’ll ever make. A mortgage takes years to pay off, and if something happens to you and your family can’t make the mortgage payments, they could lose the house.
That’s where mortgage life insurance comes in. It’s tailored to your loan, but it has its limitations and doesn’t offer any major benefits compared to a regular life insurance policy.
What is mortgage life insurance?
Mortgage life insurance, also known as mortgage protection insurance, is a type of term life insurance that pays off your mortgage if you die prematurely. Your lender is the beneficiary, which means the proceeds of your policy go directly to them when you pass away. That’s the key difference between a mortgage protection policy and a traditional life insurance policy: Your family doesn’t see any of the payout.
Is mortgage life insurance the same thing as private mortgage insurance?
No. Private mortgage insurance protects your lender if you default on your loan, and it’s typically required if your down payment is less than 20% of your home’s value.
On the other hand, mortgage life insurance helps your family to hold on to your home if you die before paying it off. In that way, it can prevent a default on your loan from happening.
How does mortgage protection life insurance work?
As with a regular term life policy, mortgage protection insurance lasts a set period of time. Most companies only offer 15- or 30-year terms to match standard mortgage lengths.
The face value of your policy is tied to the remaining balance of your mortgage. So, if you have $100,000 left on your mortgage, your policy will be worth $100,000. As your mortgage balance decreases, so will the amount of coverage you have. However, your premium will stay the same for the life of the policy.
If you die before the term is over, the death benefit will go to your lender, who will then use it to cover the rest of your mortgage.
Can you add riders to your mortgage protection policy?
Yes. Customize your policy with the same riders that are offered with term life insurance policies. Some of the most common add-ons include a return of premium (ROP) rider, which refunds any premiums paid if you outlive your policy, and a waiver of premium policy, which waives your premiums if you become disabled and can’t work.
What’s the difference between mortgage insurance and traditional life insurance?
Mortgage insurance serves a single purpose: to pay off the balance on your house if you die. With traditional life insurance, the payout is passed on to your beneficiaries. They can use that money to pay off the mortgage, as well as any other debts or expenses.
If you decide to purchase a regular policy, you can opt for term life insurance or permanent life insurance.
Term life insuranceoffers coverage for a set period of time. If your top priority is making sure your beneficiaries have the money to pay off the mortgage, you could take out a policy to match your mortgage term. For example, if you have a 20-year mortgage, you might buy a 20-year term life policy.
Permanent life insurance lasts your entire life, and builds cash value over time. There are a few permanent policies on offer, including whole life, universal life and variable life.
Key features of mortgage insurance vs. traditional life insurance
Traditional life insurance
Mortgage life insurance
Who gets the money?
Your chosen beneficiary
Your mortgage lender
How much coverage do I get?
However much you choose
The amount left on your mortgage
How long does the policy last?
It depends on your policy — term life insurance lasts a set number of years, and permanent life insurance lasts your entire life
What other factors could prevent me from paying my mortgage?
Death aside, there are several reasons you could default on your mortgage repayments, including:
A family member could become ill and require full-time home care.
You or your partner could get sick and be temporarily unable to work.
You or your partner could become disabled and be permanently unable to work.
You or your partner could lose your job.
Can mortgage life insurance help if one of those things happens?
Possibly, but it depends on your policy. Some mortgage life insurance policies will continue to pay your mortgage for a short period of time if you’re sick or disabled. But most have a cap on how long the benefit will help.
Mortgage life insurance generally won’t help if you’re unemployed, but you may be able to access benefits through your state.
Can life insurance help if one of those things happen?
Yes, but you’ll need to add extra coverage options to your policy. Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum if you’re temporarily sick and unable to work, and disability insurance can replace a percentage of your income if you’re temporarily or permanently unable to work due to a disability.
Mortgage life insurance generally won’t help if you’re unemployed, but you may be able to access benefits through your state.
How much does insurance cost?
This depends on the type of insurance you get.
Life insurance
Premium prices will be based on how much coverage you want and how risky you are in the eyes of the insurer. When setting your rate, your insurer will assess these factors:
Age. Younger people almost always pay less for coverage.
Smoking and drinking habits. Expect to pay significantly more if you’re a smoker or heavy drinker.
Health. You’ll pay less if you’re a healthy weight — but pre-existing conditions can drive your premiums up.
Hobbies. If you spend your time rock climbing, scuba diving or skydiving, you’re considered to be a higher risk.
Occupation. If you have a dangerous job, your premiums will be higher.
Gender. Women generally pay slightly less than men for the same policy.
Single or joint coverage. Expect to pay more if the policy covers both you and your spouse.
Coverage type. Adding critical illness insurance or disability insurance will cost more.
Mortgage life insurance
The underwriting process for mortgage life insurance is much more straightforward. Premiums will be based on:
Single or joint coverage. Expect to pay more if the policy covers both you and your spouse.
Coverage type. A policy that includes coverage for both death and short-term disability to pay will generally cost more.
Mortgage amount. Your coverage is based on how much you owe when you take out the policy.
Age. Younger people may pay less for a mortgage protection policy.
When do mortgage protection policies end?
Mortgage life insurance policies end when:
The policy owner’s mortgage is paid off or foreclosed.
The loan is canceled.
The mortgage protection policy is canceled.
The insured reaches the maximum age specified under the policy.
The life benefit is paid or the disability benefit is paid.
How do I compare mortgage life insurance quotes?
If you’re considering mortgage life insurance, compare policies based on:
Premiums. Look for a policy you can easily afford.
Maximum entry age. Some policies require you to be under a certain age.
Disability definition. For policies that cover disabilities, look at what specifically is covered — and if there’s a cap on how long you can be out of work.
Waiting period. Some policies won’t go into effect immediately.
Claim policy. The process of claiming the benefit can vary between providers, so it’s a good idea to look into how claims work. This should be displayed on the providers website.
Policy discounts. Some providers will offer a premium discount for joint policies. This is generally between 5-10%.
Benefit payment. It is crucial to assess how the benefit will be paid in the event of the claim. Some providers will pay out the flat amount you insured, while others will just pay out what’s left on the mortgage.
How do I pay mortgage protection insurance premiums?
If the mortgage loan is held with the same lender that is issuing the mortgage protection insurance, your premium can be:
Included in the loan amount.
Paid month-to-month by direct debit or credit card.
Is mortgage protection insurance worth it?
Life insurance is the preferable option for many homeowners. It’s flexible, and you can choose how much coverage to buy and who you’d like the proceeds of your policy to go to when you die. On the other hand, if you have a health condition that makes it expensive or impossible to get traditional life insurance, a mortgage protection policy might be your best bet. It will ensure your loved ones won’t be burdened with mortgage repayments if you die before your time.
Bottom line
It’s a good idea to have some sort of insurance in place to handle your debts after you die. While life insurance offers more flexibility and often comes at a lower cost, mortgage life insurance can be helpful for people with pre-existing conditions who can’t qualify for a traditional life insurance policy.
Katia Iervasi is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in insurance. Her writing and analysis on life, disability and health insurance has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. She holds a BA in communication from Australia's Griffith University.
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