If you’re a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to get home insurance and mortgage insurance confused. Homeowners insurance protects homeowners from financial losses after property damage, while mortgage insurance protects the lender if the borrower defaults on their loan.[1]
Here’s what you need to know about home insurance and mortgage insurance, including average costs, what they cover, how they work, and who needs them.
The average monthly cost of U.S. home insurance is $213 for a standard policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
Mortgage insurance usually costs between 0.3% and 1.5% of your loan amount.
If you have a conventional loan, you can typically cancel mortgage insurance once you have 20% equity.
What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home following damage from a covered peril, like a fire, windstorm, or theft. Standard home insurance policies also include personal belongings, liability, medical payments, and loss of use coverage.[2]
If you face a loss, you can file a claim with your home insurance company to receive reimbursement for the cost of repairing or rebuilding your house and replacing damaged personal items.[3] Your insurer will pay up to the policy limit, minus your deductible.
While states don’t legally require home insurance, most mortgage lenders require homeowners to maintain home insurance until they pay off their loan.
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What is mortgage insurance?
Mortgage insurance protects lenders if a borrower can’t pay their mortgage. You’ll typically need to purchase it under your loan agreement if you make a down payment of less than 20% of the home purchase price.
Lenders require mortgage insurance because it reduces their risk when lending. The borrower pays extra so if they default and the house goes into foreclosure, the lender can recoup some of the funds.
While mortgage insurance makes it easier for homebuyers to qualify for loans, it also increases the cost of borrowing. Lenders may include mortgage insurance in your monthly loan payments, or you may pay it up front at closing.
Key differences between homeowners and mortgage insurance
Homeowners insurance covers your house and personal belongings in the event of damage from a covered peril. Mortgage insurance protects your lender from financial loss if you default on your loan. Depending on your situation, you might need to purchase one or both policies.
The table below compares how home insurance and mortgage insurance differ.
Feature | Homeowners Insurance | Mortgage Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who it protects | You (the homeowner) | The lender |
| What it covers | Property damage, theft, and liability | Loan default |
| Required? | Usually required by lenders | Required if down payment is less than 20% |
| Average cost for $300,000 in coverage | $2,552 | 0.3%–1.5% of the loan annually ($900–$4,500) |
| Can you cancel? | Only if you sell or pay off your home | Cancellable once loan-to-value is equal to or less than 80% |
What homeowners insurance covers
Homeowners insurance covers damage to the structure of your home and personal items, as well as your liabilities if a guest injury occurs on your property.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what a standard home insurance policy typically includes:
Dwelling and other structures
Dwelling insurance covers the physical structure of your home and attached structures. Most policies also cover other structures on your property, like detached garages or sheds.
Personal property
Personal property insurance pays to replace belongings damaged or destroyed in a covered loss. It can cover things like furniture, clothing, electronics, and decor, with lower coverage limits for valuables.
Liability
Liability coverage pays for your legal fees and court costs if someone sues you for bodily injury or property damage. It also includes a small amount of coverage for medical payments if a guest incurs an injury at your home.
Additional living expenses
Additional living expenses insurance, also called loss of use coverage, can pay for a hotel if a covered loss makes your home uninhabitable. It can also cover restaurant meals, parking, laundry, and other essentials.
State laws don’t legally require homeowners insurance at the state level. But most mortgage lenders require homeowners to maintain home insurance for the duration of the loan. You probably won’t be able to close on a mortgage unless you can show proof of home insurance.[4]
What mortgage insurance covers
Mortgage insurance, also called private mortgage insurance (PMI), provides financial protection for a lender if the borrower stops making the payments and defaults on their home loan. Lenders usually roll the premiums into monthly mortgage payments. PMI doesn’t provide homeowners with any protection.[5]
Here’s some basic information about mortgage insurance:
Who needs it: Borrowers with a conventional mortgage who put less than 20% down on the home’s purchase price typically need to purchase mortgage insurance.
What it covers: PMI protects the lender from financial loss in case the borrower stops making their mortgage payments.
Types: The two main types of mortgage insurance are PMI and mortgage insurance premiums (MIPs) for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. Borrowers who put less than 20% down on a home need PMI. All FHA loans require an MIP fee, which the borrower pays in an up-front fee plus monthly payments until they pay off their loan.
When you can remove it: Borrowers can typically remove PMI once they have 20% equity or more in their home.
Cost comparison: homeowners vs. mortgage insurance
The cost of homeowners insurance depends on several factors, like your location, the age and condition of the home, your credit history, your policy limits, and your claims history. Insurance companies can also charge different rates.
Mortgage insurance premiums depend on the home’s loan size, down payment, the borrower’s credit history, and the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.[6] In general, the cost of PMI is typically between 0.3% and 1.5% of the loan amount.
The table below shows the typical annual cost of both homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance. These figures reflect premiums for a dwelling coverage amount or loan size of $300,000.
Insurance Type | Typical Annual Cost | Payment Method |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners insurance | $2,552 | Paid annually or escrowed monthly |
| Mortgage insurance | 0.3%–1.5% ($900–$4,500) for a $300,000 loan | Added to monthly mortgage payment |
Do you need both homeowners and mortgage insurance?
You may need both homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance, but it depends on your specific situation.
All homeowners with a mortgage need to buy home insurance. Nearly every lender requires it. But even once you finish paying off your home, it’s a good idea to still keep your homeowners insurance for continued protection.
You may also need mortgage insurance if you have a conventional loan and put down less than 20% of the home’s purchase price. Typically, you can remove mortgage insurance once you reach 20% equity.
Here’s a quick summary of when you contractually have to purchase home and mortgage insurance:
When you need homeowners insurance: You have a mortgage.
When you need mortgage insurance: You have a conventional mortgage, and your down payment is less than 20%.
When mortgage insurance ends: You have at least 20% equity in the home.
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How to save on both types of insurance
Whether you need homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, or both, you can find ways to potentially save money on your coverage. Use the tips below to save on insurance:
Bundle policies. Most insurance companies will lower your home insurance premium if you bundle your homeowners insurance policy with another, like car insurance or life insurance.
Improve your credit. A stronger credit history can help reduce the cost of home and mortgage insurance.
Raise your deductible. For homeowners insurance, increasing your dwelling and personal property coverage deductibles will lower your monthly rate.
Make a larger down payment. If you can make a larger down payment on the purchase price of a home, it will reduce your mortgage insurance cost. Having a lower down payment can increase insurance costs.
Shop around. Shopping around for homeowners insurance can help you find the best deal for the type and amount of coverage your lender requires.
Homeowners vs. mortgage insurance FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance.
Can you have a mortgage without homeowners insurance?
It’s unlikely that you can have a mortgage without homeowners insurance. Nearly all lenders require borrowers to have insurance because they have a financial interest in the property. Once you pay off your mortgage, you’ll have the option to drop your home insurance coverage.
Can you cancel mortgage insurance?
Yes. You can cancel mortgage insurance once you have 20% equity in the home. But until you reach 20% equity, you must continue making the PMI payments.
Does homeowners insurance cover your mortgage if you die?
No. Homeowners insurance won’t pay off your mortgage loan if you die. If you pass away before paying off your mortgage, money from your estate can typically pay off all or part of the debt.
Can you deduct mortgage insurance premiums?
Mortgage insurance premiums are usually tax-deductible. Single filers can deduct interest paid on mortgage balances up to $750,000. For married taxpayers filing separately, you can deduct interest on balances of up to $375,000. You’ll need to itemize your deductions to write off your monthly premiums.
Is PMI the same as homeowners insurance?
No. PMI and homeowners insurance are different. PMI is a type of insurance lenders require when borrowers put down less than 20% on a financed home. It just protects the lender. Homeowners insurance covers your home and personal items from certain types of damage. It mainly protects the homeowner.
What happens to mortgage insurance when you refinance?
Refinancing usually removes your current mortgage insurance. If you end up with more than 20% equity in your home after refinancing, you won’t have to continue paying PMI. But if you still have less than 20% equity, you’ll probably need to pay mortgage insurance on your new loan.
Sources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is mortgage insurance and how does it work?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance."
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How do home insurance companies pay out claims?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Can I own a home without homeowners insurance?."
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is private mortgage insurance?."
- Citizens Financial Group. "What is Mortgage Insurance? Everything You Need to Know."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed rates from more than 180 home insurance companies sourced directly from Insurify’s partner companies and Quadrant Information Services. Rates span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and quote averages represent the mean price for a given coverage level and geographic area. To ensure data reliability, only insurers meeting minimum quote thresholds were included in the analysis.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for homeowners with no prior claims and good credit with a home construction year of 1980. The default coverage assumptions include:
Default Coverage Assumptions
- Dwelling coverage: $300,000
- Deductible: $1,000
- Personal property limit: $25,000
- Liability limit: $300,000
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
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