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

Same as term Coinsurance: ...

Model act written and published by the national association of insurance commissioners (naic) whose purpose it is to regulate brokers who control insurance companies. The act permits the ...

Rules stating that, under the tax EQUITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ACTS OF 1982 AND 1983 (TEFRA), a plan can not discriminate in favor of key employees regarding contributions and benefits if ...

Qualified pension or other employee benefit where responsibility rests with an employer rather than an insurer. A trust fund plan, where assets are deposited with and invested by a trustee, ...

Same as term Cancellation Provision Clause: provision permitting an insured or an insurance company to cancel a property and casualty or a health insurance policy (circumstances vary; see ...

Means of providing insurance protection for the property of a business that is not at a fixed location. ...

System whereby a life insurance company (the reinsured) reduces its possible maximum loss on either an individual life insurance policy (facultative reinsurance) or a large number of life ...

Trust whereby asset management is provided until a child reaches the age of majority. Upon reaching majority, the child has full use and control over the assets. The grantor of the trust ...

Coverage for the federal government in the event of loss due to dishonest acts of federal government employees. ...

Popular Insurance Questions