At what point can you get rid of mortgage insurance?

Asked by: Alysson Nienow V  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)

If your payments are current and in good standing, your lender is required to cancel your PMI on the date your loan is scheduled to reach 78% of the original value of your home. If you have an FHA loan, you'll pay MIP for either 11 years or the entire length of the loan, depending on the terms of the loan.

Can you eventually get rid of mortgage insurance?

Request PMI cancellation when mortgage balance reaches 80 percent. Another way the PMI Cancellation Act benefits you is by granting you the right to remove PMI once you have reached 20 percent equity in your home; that is, once your loan balance reaches 80 percent of the home's original value.

When can I stop paying mortgage protection insurance?

It will add another expense to your budget, but you can request to cancel it when your loan-to-value ratio reaches 80%. This policy is designed to protect the lender against nonpayment and default.

How long should you keep mortgage insurance?

You can request to cancel PMI when your mortgage balance reaches 80 percent of your home's value. If you don't make this request, lenders are required to cancel PMI when your balance reaches 78 percent of your home's value or when you're halfway through the loan term.

Can PMI be removed if house value increases?

Refinancing to Eliminate PMI

Refinancing your home loan is a strategic option when considering ways to eliminate PMI. By securing a new loan through refinancing, homeowners can leverage any increase in their home's value to remove PMI effectively.

FINALLY Remove Your PMI - Tips from a Loan Officer

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When must PMI be Cancelled?

If the borrower is current on mortgage payments, PMI must be cancelled automatically once the LTV reaches 78 percent based on the original amortization schedule or when the midpoint of the amortization period is reached (i.e., 15 years on a 30-year mortgage).

How long do you pay mortgage insurance on a conventional loan?

You typically have to pay PMI until you reach 20% equity in your home, at which point you can typically request cancellation. Additionally, your lender may be required to cancel PMI once your mortgage balance reaches 78% of the original home value, or 22% equity.

Should I get an appraisal to remove PMI?

Get an Appraisal

If you live in an area where home prices have skyrocketed (meaning you live just about anywhere in America), you could be sitting on enough home equity to remove PMI. But before your lender will cancel your PMI, you'll need to get an appraisal to prove your home is worth more than you paid for it.

How much is PMI on a $300,000 loan?

Your mortgage lender will determine the PMI rate and multiply the percentage by the loan balance. For example, if the PMI rate is 0.5% and your loan amount is $300,000, your PMI will cost $1,500 annually or $125 monthly.

Do I have to pay mortgage insurance forever?

The most important thing to know about PMI is that it's not forever. Generally, PMI can be removed from your monthly payments in two ways: when you pay your loan balance down below 80% of the purchase price of your home, or once you have achieved 20% equity in your home.

Do you ever get mortgage insurance back?

A refund of an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) payment can be requested through HUD's Single Family Insurance Operations Division (SFIOD). On the FHA Connection, go to the Upfront Premium Collection menu and select Request a Refund in the Pay Upfront Premium section.

What is the average cost of mortgage protection insurance?

The exact cost of this kind of insurance policy varies depending on the size of your home loan and the length of your mortgage term. Some insurers may also consider your age and life circumstances. According to Nolo.com, premiums for mortgage protection insurance typically range from $20 to $100 per month.

When can I cancel my homeowners insurance?

As long as the policy has been active for a minimum of 60 days, policyholders can drop their coverage at any time after this period. Is there a penalty for canceling homeowners insurance? Insurance companies do not charge fees or penalties if you simply choose to not renew the policy at the end of its term.

Can mortgage insurance be waived?

Yes. Even if you don't ask your servicer to cancel PMI, in general, your servicer must automatically terminate PMI on the date when your principal balance is scheduled to reach 78 percent of the original value of your home. For your PMI to be cancelled on that date, you need to be current on your payments.

Who is the only person who can cancel a mortgage insurance policy?

In California, homeowners can request PMI cancellation in writing when they believe they have reached 20% equity in their home. Additionally, loan servicers are required to cancel the policy once the LTV drops to 78%, as long as the borrower is current on payments.

How long do you pay mortgage insurance on an FHA loan?

If you meet the eligibility requirements to remove MIP from an FHA loan, your mortgage servicer should automatically cancel the premiums once you meet the criteria (a 78 percent LTV ratio or 11 years, depending on the loan). That's assuming you're in good standing with a record of on-time mortgage payments.

What is the 20% rule for PMI?

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of mortgage insurance you might be required to buy if you take out a conventional loan with a down payment of less than 20 percent of the purchase price. PMI protects the lender—not you—if you stop making payments on your loan.

When can I stop paying PMI?

PMI is automatically removed when your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio reaches 78%. You can request to have PMI removed from your loan when you reach 80% LTV in your home.

Why is my PMI so high?

Your loan-to-value ratio.

Your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio measures how much of your home's value you're borrowing. The lower your down payment, the higher your LTV ratio, and the more expensive your PMI will be. Aim for an LTV ratio under 85% to get the best PMI rates.

Can a lender refuse to remove PMI?

Yes, a lender can refuse to remove PMI. For instance, if your property does not appraise as expected or you do not satisfy a requirement, a lender can reject your request. However, if you meet the requirements, you can request the removal of PMI.

Will a home appraisal raise my taxes?

It's important to note that an increase in the appraised value of a property does not necessarily mean a corresponding increase in property taxes. Assessors, not appraisers, determine the assessed value of a property for tax purposes.

Does PMI go away after 20 percent?

You can often request PMI removal once you own 20% equity in your home. And lenders generally must drop PMI automatically when your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) hits 78%. In this article, we'll go over the basics of PMI and what it covers, and we'll also show you how and when you can stop paying it.

Is PMI tax deductible?

Is mortgage insurance tax-deductible? No, private mortgage insurance isn't tax-deductible now. The mortgage insurance deduction was only available for eligible homeowners for the 2018–2021 tax years.

Can you shop around for mortgage insurance?

Mortgage insurance may be an additional monthly expense you'll need to consider. If PMI is required, your lender will likely include your PMI expense in your monthly mortgage payment automatically. The lender oversees selecting the mortgage insurance company, so you won't be able to shop around.

What is the advantage of making a larger down payment?

A larger down payment means it's more likely you'll receive a mortgage since you are less risk to a lender. It also means you will own more of the value of your home, and a lower loan-to-value ratio (LTV) may help you qualify for lower interest rates and fewer fees.