Default mortgage insurance is in place to cover the lender in case the borrower defaults on his payments. It is mandatory in Canada for any mortgage loan over 80% of the equity/value of the property. In some instances lenders will require this for mortgages of less than 80%. Default mortgage insurance is a cost to the borrower.
Default Insurance Providers in Canada include:
- CMHC
- Genworth
- Canada Guarantee
Effective May 1st the following rate increase will come into affect for insured mortgages: Please see the linked news release from CMHC:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2014/2014-02-28-1100.cfm
Effective May 1st, CMHC Purchase (owner occupied 1 to 4 unit) mortgage insurance premiums will increase by approximately 15%, on average, for all loan-to-value ranges.
| Loan-to-Value Ratio | Standard Premium (Current) | Standard Premium (Effective May 1st, 2014) | 
| Up to and including 65% | 0.60% | 0.60% | 
| Up to and including 75% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 
| Up to and including 80% | 1.25% | 1.25% | 
| Up to and including 85% | 1.8% | 1.80% | 
| Up to and including 90% | 2.40% | 2.40% | 
| Up to and including 95% | 3.60% | 3.15% | 
| 90.01% to 95% – Non-Traditional Down Payment | 3.85% | 3.35% | 





