For borrowers who are unable to put down a sizable down payment on a home, many lenders need mortgage insurance. In the event that the borrower misses a payment on their mortgage, it is intended to safeguard the lender.
Borrowers who have less than 20% of the home's purchase price put down often need to get this insurance.
Does Mortgage Insurance Cover Death?
Mortgage insurance is not the same as life insurance, which is designed to provide financial protection for the borrower's family in the event of their death. Life insurance policies can be used to pay off a mortgage in the event of the borrower's death, but mortgage insurance does not cover death.
In the event of the borrower's death, the mortgage will typically become the responsibility of their estate or the person listed as a co-borrower on the mortgage. If there is no one able or willing to take over the mortgage payments, the lender may foreclose on the property.
Alternatives for Mortgage Protection in the Event of Death
There are various strategies to safeguard your mortgage in the event of death, including getting a separate life insurance policy, adding a co-signer to the loan, and utilizing a reverse mortgage.In the event of the borrower's passing, a different life insurance policy might provide the money needed to pay off the mortgage. Co-signing a mortgage with another person might also increase protection since they will be held liable for the loan in the event that the primary borrower passes away.
With a reverse mortgage, homeowners over 62 can borrow money against the equity in their property. Prior to the homeowner's passing or the sale of the house, the loan is not due. As a result, in the event of the borrower's passing, there may be an additional source of funding to pay down the mortgage.