What is Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI)?

Helping you understand Lenders Mortgage Insurance

Achieving the dream of home ownership is one of the most exciting times in your life. However, it also comes with a big challenge – the time it takes to save a substantial deposit that lenders often require (typically 20% of the home’s purchase price). If you do not have a substantial deposit saved, your lender may be prepared to provide you a home loan with a smaller deposit (as little as 5%), by taking out Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is an insurance policy that your lender takes out to protect itself against the risk that you (the borrower) default on your loan repayments and your lender is unable to recover the full outstanding loan amount.

Lenders Mortgage Insurance is arranged by your lender and the premium is a one-off cost your lender pays to us (the insurer) upon settlement of your property purchase. This cost is passed on to you (the borrower) by your lender, as a fee.

Watch this video for a simple, easy to understand explanation on how LMI can help you get into the property market sooner.

Video provided by Genworth