Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance required by lenders when a borrower makes a down payment of less than 20% on a conventional mortgage. It protects the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, however, utilize a different type of mortgage insurance, often referred to as mortgage insurance premiums (MIP). These premiums have both an upfront component, paid at closing, and an annual component, paid monthly as part of the mortgage payment.
Mortgage insurance is significant because it allows individuals with limited savings to purchase a home sooner than they might otherwise be able to. Historically, large down payments were required for homeownership, creating a barrier for many potential buyers. The introduction of mortgage insurance products helped to democratize access to homeownership by mitigating the risk for lenders. These insurance products are not without cost, however, and understanding the conditions under which they can be eliminated is important for homeowners.