Buying a home is a major financial commitment. Depending on the loan you choose, you might be committing yourself to 30 years of payments. But what will happen to your home if you suddenly die or become too disabled to work?
Mortgage protection insurance (MPI) can help your family cover your mortgage under certain circumstances – you can avoid foreclosure if you can no longer work to pay your mortgage.
MPI is a type of insurance policy that helps your family make your monthly mortgage payments if you – the policyholder and mortgage borrower – die before your mortgage is fully paid off. Some MPI policies will also offer coverage for a limited time if you lose your job or become disabled after an accident.
Most MPI policies work the same way as traditional life insurance policies. Every month, you pay the insurer a monthly premium. This premium keeps your coverage current and ensures your protection. If you die during the term of the policy, your policy provider pays out a death benefit that covers a set number of mortgage payments. The limitations of your policy and the number of monthly payments your policy will cover come with the policy’s terms. Many policies agree to cover the remaining term of the mortgage, but this can vary by insurer. Like any other type of insurance, you can shop around for policies and compare lenders before you buy a plan.
First, the beneficiary of an MPI policy typically isn’t your family – it’s your mortgage company. If you die, your family doesn’t see a lump sum of cash like they would with a typical term life insurance policy. Instead, the money goes directly to your lender.
Secondly, MPI policies have guaranteed acceptance. When you buy a term life insurance policy, the cost you pay each month depends on factors like your health and occupation. You get to skip the underwriting process with an MPI policy, as most policies typically don’t require policyholders to submit a medical exam. This can be very beneficial if you’re sick or work in a dangerous or high-risk job. However, it also means that the average MPI premium is higher than a life insurance policy for the same balance. For adults in good health who work in low-risk jobs, this can mean paying more money for less coverage.
The last difference between MPI and traditional life insurance lies in the regulations involved. MPI policies have several strings attached that can change your benefits. For example, most MPI policies include a clause that states that the balance of your death benefit follows the balance of your mortgage. The longer you make payments on your loan, the lower your outstanding balance. The longer you hold your policy, the less valuable your policy is. This is different from life insurance policies, which typically hold the same balance for the entire term.
Many MPI companies also have strict limits on when you can buy a policy. Most companies require you to buy your insurance policy within 24 months after closing. However, some companies might allow you to buy a policy up to 5 years after you close on your loan. Your MPI company may also deny you coverage based on your age, as older home buyers are more likely to receive a payout than younger ones.
The question of whether it’s worthwhile to buy mortgage protection insurance is largely dependent on your specific needs. If you’re a homeowner with underlying health conditions that could affect your long-term well-being, if you’re employed at a high-risk job or if you’re a young person having difficulty getting approved for a life insurance policy, MPI could be a great way to provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind.
However, if you feel as though your family would benefit more from being able to use money from a posthumous insurance payout for things other than your mortgage – like bills, taxes or funeral costs – it might make more sense to pursue a traditional life insurance policy rather than MPI.
