Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Definition of "Private mortgage insurance (PMI)"
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!
Popular Insurance Terms
Actuarial method of crediting retirement benefits earned and the costs associated with these earned retirement benefits. An increment (unit) of benefit is credited for each year of ...
Expectation of a monetary loss that can be covered by insurance. Insurable interest varies according to the type of policy. These relationships give rise to insurable interest: owner of ...
Clause in liability insurance policies stating that the insurance company has a legally enforceable obligation to pay all claims and defend all suits (even if groundless) up to the policy ...
Coverage for damage or destruction of property with relatively high monetary value, such as stock brokerage house and bank shipments, which involve the transfer of securities and monies to ...
Benefit in disability income insurance whereby an injured or ill wage earner receives a monthly income payment to replace a percentage of his or her lost earnings. ...
Shipper's policies covering one cargo exposure or all cargo exposures by sea on all risks basis. Exclusions include war, nuclear disaster, wear and tear, dampness, mold, losses due to delay ...
Excess of the sales price of an asset over its book value. Listed as part of the Annual Report in the summary of the surplus account and/or in the Summary of Operations. ...
Total amount of insurance coverage available for an insured. ...
(land and attachments) and personal (movable effects not attached to land). Both classifications of property give rise to an insurable interest. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.