Overview of Mortgage Insurance Cancellation
The federal Homeowners Protection Act of 1998* (HPA) was designed to benefit homebuyers who are required to pay for private mortgage insurance under the terms of certain loans made for single-family, primary residences on or after July 29, 1999.
The following information outlines the basic requirements of the HPA for mortgage guaranty insurance providers, such as Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, but does not constitute legal advice. For detailed information on the requirements of the HPA, you should consult your own legal counsel. Some states have their own homeowner protection laws that replace or add to the federal requirements. In addition, the terms of lender loan agreements vary. Thus, how the HPA applies to an individual loan will depend on the specifics of that loan.
It is important for borrowers to understand that Arch MI insures the lender and, therefore, we cannot cancel the mortgage insurance coverage for a loan upon borrower request. The borrower must contact his or her lender regarding this process.
MI Cancellation Under the HPA and Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Premium.
Borrower-Paid Cancellation: Summary of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Guidelines.
Borrower-paid MI is cancelable once a borrower has built enough equity.
Borrower-paid MI is cancelable once a borrower has built enough equity.
Compliance Bulletin: Private Mortgage Insurance Cancellation and Termination.
Video for Lenders: Overview of MI Cancellation
Learn the facts about canceling mortgage insurance and the lender’s responsibility for automatic termination when certain conditions are met.
Video for Borrowers: A Guide to MI Cancellation
If you currently have mortgage insurance on your home loan, this quick video explains how it can be canceled when certain conditions are met.
The above HPA requirements do not apply to FHA and VA government guaranteed loans, or to lender-paid mortgage insurance. For loans with mortgage insurance, lenders and designated servicers are subject to a series of borrower notice requirements under the HPA, beginning at the time of loan origination. Please refer to the specific text of the HPA to determine which requirements apply.
For more information, please visit the websites of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or Fannie Mae.
* 12 USC 4901, et. seq.