Mortgage life insurance is a type of insurance wherein the policy holder is able to clear mortgage liabilities in the event of the untimely death of the insured. In such a case, death benefits are equivalent to the outstanding balance on the loan. Quite clearly, this security gives tremendous peace of mind that no matter what, despite the worst case scenario, your family will always have a home to live in. Apart from that, many insurance policies offer optional provisions which include coverage for critical illness. With this option, the insurance company will pay out the outstanding loan in case you qualify conditions for terminal illness.

However, it is vital to examine the pros and cons of mortgage insurance before you make up your mind about purchasing a mortgage insurance policy. One of the major advantages of mortgage life insurance is that it is easy to obtain. In these days of uncertainty and insecurity, it may make sense to opt for a mortgage insurance policy to make sure your loved ones have a home to stay in, even if, anything were to happen to you.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of a mortgage life policy to help you make an informed decision:

Advantages of Mortgage life insurance

• Guarantees clearing your mortgage payment: The death benefit of mortgage life insurance pays off the outstanding balance on your mortgage, and thereby guarantees a home for your family in case of your death. What is also important to note is that, unlike a regular life insurance policy, death benefits from a mortgage insurance policy is not paid to your loved ones but goes directly to the mortgage company towards the payment of your outstanding mortgage. This is useful to ensure that death benefits are used primarily for the purpose of clearing off the mortgage.
• Health qualifications for a Mortgage Insurance are considerably lower than qualifying for a regular life insurance policy: The health standard to meet to buy mortgage insurance is much lower than a regular term insurance policy. If you are in bad health then a regular life insurance policy may require you to pay higher premiums. If you suffer from severe health impairments, you may not even qualify for regular life insurance. In such cases, mortgage lifeinsurance is a very viable option for you. It gives you peace of mind by allowing you to get coverage for what is probably your biggest liability-your home.
• Financial help during terminal illness: Mortgage life insurance policies may provide protection coverage in case of terminal illness, provided, your mortgage insurance includes terminal illness benefits and you opt for it. This indeed comes as great savior for the policy holder who contracts a terminal illness and can no longer work or earn money to pay the monthly mortgage. In such cases, the mortgage life insurance company will provide accelerated death benefits to pay off the mortgage.

Disadvantages of Mortgage Life insurance:

• No payout until the stipulated time period is passed: Regardless of the situation there is no payout within the first six months of the policy. So in case any calamity strikes the insured before the stipulated time, the insured will not receive anything.
• Mortgage life insurance coverage decreases with time: In case of your death, the amount of cover will depend on the term of insurance, which decreases more or less in line with the amount outstanding on your mortgage. As a result, you end up paying more for less coverage over the years. That essentially means by the end of the plan, there will be no benefits if you outlive the policy.
• Excludes any Pre-existing medical condition: Any pre-existing medical conditions (terminal or otherwise) before the investment are excluded in the policy. Therefore, such conditions cannot be claimed if the situation arises.
• ixed monthly premiums Although insurance cover reduces with time the monthly premiums still remain fixed throughout the life of the policy.

Mortgage insurance may never be considered as popular as universal, whole or term life  policies. However, there are some situations where you may want to consider purchasing a mortgage life insurance policy. By purchasing mortgage life insurance, you ensure your home remains a safe haven for your family and they can enjoy many more happier years to come in safety and comfort, simply because you were able to safeguard it for them, through a mortgage insurance policy.

AccuQuote is a leader in providing term life quotes to people across the United States. In 1986 it began operating with a single goal: to make the process of buying term life insurance as easy as possible for its customers. Their experienced professionals consistently deliver the most affordable term life insurance rates by comparing thousands of life insurance policies from dozens of top-rated carriers.