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The Daily Horizon

Will your bank lender require private mortgage insurance or PMI?

Author

Jessica Hardy

Published Jan 20, 2026

As a rule, most lenders require PMI for conventional mortgages with a down payment less than 20 percent.

Can I shop for private mortgage insurance?

Unfortunately, as the borrower, you cannot shop around for your mortgage insurance. Only the lender can. However, you can request a specific PMI provider if you qualify for their product and they are offered by your lender.

Can a private mortgage insurance PMI prevent the bank from?

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is an insurance policy that protects lenders from the risk of default and foreclosure. Although it costs extra, PMI allows buyers who cannot make a significant down payment (or those who choose not to) to obtain financing at affordable rates.

Is PMI the same as mortgage insurance?

Private mortgage insurance, also called PMI, is a type of mortgage insurance you might be required to pay for if you have a conventional loan. Like other kinds of mortgage insurance, PMI protects the lender—not you—if you stop making payments on your loan.

Is it good to have private mortgage insurance?

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is costly, and the coverage only protects your mortgage lender, not you. Here are six reasons you should avoid PMI.

What’s the difference between mortgage insurance and PMI?

Mortgage insurance, or private mortgage insurance (PMI), protects the mortgage lender against the borrower not paying back the private loan., especially in circumstances when you make a down payment less than the standard 20%.

What’s the difference between mortgage insurance and homeowners insurance?

Unlike PMI, homeowners insurance is unrelated to your mortgage except for the fact that mortgage lenders require it to protect their interest in the home. While mortgage insurance protects the lender, homeowners insurance protects your home, the contents of your home and you as the homeowner.

Are there any insurance companies that offer mortgage insurance?

Many companies offer mortgage insurance. Their rates may differ slightly, and your lender—not you—will select the insurer. Nevertheless, you can get an idea of what rate you will pay by studying the mortgage insurance rate card. MGIC, Radian, Essent, National MI, United Guaranty, and Genworth are major private mortgage insurance providers.