Tom Billmore asked:




Mortgage Life Insurance is a kind of insurance that gives the policy holder a risk cover for his mortgage repayments. This means in short that, were the policy holder to die during the term of the policy, and if the policy is in force, then all his unpaid balance towards the mortgage repayments will be paid by the insurance company.

It is to be noted that, at the time of taking out such a policy, in addition to the mortgage disability insurance, the risk cover offered by the insurance company must be equal to the entire balance amount in the mortgage. The annual premium payable towards this coverage will be computed on this outstanding balance. Besides, the policy term in the Mortgage Life Insurance must be the same as the period in the mortgage insurance, even though the mortgage disability insurance is still running. As the policy holder continues repayment, the balance in the mortgage loan also keeps on decreasing. Likewise, even the annual premiums are reduced in tandem.

Sometimes, Mortgage Life Insurance offers a rider that can be attached to the policy. A rider is simply an addition to the main policy, adding an extra insurance coverage at a premium that is much lower than what it would be, were it taken separately. The mortgage disability insurance is not a rider at all. One common rider that is offered is a critical illness rider. If you are to buy a separate policy for critical illness, you will have to pay out more as premium. But if you take it as a rider, the premium is somewhat less. If the policy holder is diagnosed with a critical or terminal illness, then the cost of the treatment, to the extent of the sum assured, is taken care of by the rider.

Of late, insurance companies have modified the terms in Mortgage Life Insurance and are now offering return of premiums paid if you outlive the policy term. In such cases, there is no reduction in the premium amount or in the sum assured. Even as your balance in the mortgage loan goes on reducing, your annual premium and the amount for which you are covered, remains the same.

Allen