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Mortgage Insurance

Explore mortgage insurance in Canadian real estate — how it works, who it protects, and what homebuyers need to know when putting less than 20% down.

Mortgage Insurance

May 22, 2025


What is Mortgage Insurance?

Mortgage insurance protects the lender—not the borrower—in case the borrower defaults on a high-ratio mortgage with a down payment under 20%.

Why Mortgage Broker Fees Matter in Real Estate

In Canada, mortgage insurance is mandatory for insured mortgages. It is typically provided through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Sagen, or Canada Guaranty.

Key characteristics include:
  • Required for down payments between 5% and 19.99%
  • Premiums are based on the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio
  • Cost is often added to the mortgage principal

Although it protects the lender, it enables buyers to enter the housing market with less capital. Premiums are non-refundable and do not reduce mortgage interest.

Understanding mortgage insurance helps buyers plan for total costs and choose between insured and conventional mortgages.

Example of Mortgage Insurance in Action

A buyer with a 10% down payment pays a 3.1% CMHC insurance premium, which is added to their mortgage balance.

Key Takeaways

  • Required for down payments under 20%.
  • Protects lenders, not borrowers.
  • Premium varies with LTV ratio.
  • Enables lower entry costs for buyers.
  • Offered through approved insurers.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Public Realm Improvements

Public realm improvements are enhancements to public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, plazas, and streetscapes, often funded or contributed by. more

Mortgagee in Possession

A mortgagee in possession is a lender who takes control of a property after borrower default, but before foreclosure or power of sale. The lender. more

Lease Surrender Agreement

A lease surrender agreement is a negotiated contract between a landlord and tenant that ends a lease before its scheduled expiration. Terms may. more

Green Infrastructure

Green infrastructure refers to natural or engineered systems that manage stormwater, reduce heat, and improve sustainability in developments.. more

Escrow Holdback

An escrow holdback is a portion of funds withheld at closing and held in escrow until specific conditions are met, such as completion of repairs,. more

Underused Housing Tax

The Underused Housing Tax (UHT) is a federal annual 1% tax on the value of vacant or underused residential property owned by non-resident,. more

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