Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

Definition of "Private mortgage insurance (PMI)"

Paul Van Zandt real estate agent

Written by

Paul Van Zandtelite badge icon

Realty Professionals of Texas

The concept behind a Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is pretty simple: it exists to make sure the lender doesn’t lose its money.

What it does is “buy” the possible defaults of a borrower to a lender. Meaning: if the borrower doesn’t pay the premium, the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) enters in action and pays it on his/her behalf.

The PMI cost is usually included in the monthly mortgage payment in addition to the principal, homeowner’s insurance, property tax and interest, and just like them, it is a separate thing; it doesn’t build equity to your home.

Why do it?

Well, most of the time you don’t have an option; it is a requirement from the Lender that you get Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) in order to be able to borrow the money. However, it truly can be good for both parties: the lender doesn’t lose money and the borrower can get a house even if he doesn’t have the whole 20% of the home’s value to use as down payment, since lenders sometimes waive the need of it because of the safety provided by the Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

 

Real estate Tips:

One of the greatest insurances in the world is knowledge! Devour our Real Estate Terms and use our Real Estate Agent Directory to contact a local real estate agent when you're ready to go into the market for/with your house!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Periodic payments to an injured person or survivor for a determinable number of years or for life typically in settlement of a claim under a liability policy. Terms may include immediate ...

Risk management control device used to minimize accidents and injuries to employees resulting from an unsafe working environment. For example, potential cumulative trauma disorders losses ...

Law that established rules and regulations to govern private pension plans, including vesting requirements, funding mechanisms, and general plan design and descriptions. For example, three ...

Insurance that usually follows the format of comprehensive health insurance plans in that there is a coinsurance requirement of usually 75 to 80%, and a limit on benefits for any one person ...

Fixed or stated amount of interest paid by a security expressed as a percent of the par value of the security. The longer the length of time until maturity, the higher the coupon rate to ...

Income paid to a worker who is temporarily disabled by an injury or sickness that is not work related. Compare with workers compensation benefits, which are available only to workers ...

Model state law of the NAIC that stipulates that the purchaser (debtor) of a credit life insurance (creditor life insurance) policy must be provided a descriptive policy; the policy must ...

Injury covered under workers compensation insurance. For every part of the body that may be injured, there is a listed financial sum that will be paid. For example, a right severed index ...

Insurance policy underwritten and issued by a syndicate listing each risk insured by each syndicate member. ...

Popular Insurance Questions