Mortgage Payment Protection

Mortgage lenders are required to warn that ‘your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.’ It’s a worry for every homeowner – what if something happens and I can’t pay the mortgage? With mortgage payment protection, you could receive an income to help you pay your mortgage if you are unable to work due to sickness or accident. This can help you keep up with mortgage repayments if you’re unable to work, reducing the risk of falling into arrears.

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What is mortgage payment protection insurance, and why is it important?

A mortgage payment protection policy is a short-term plan that can cover your monthly repayments for a limited period. Also sometimes referred to as mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI), it can be activated if you lose your job through, for example, redundancy, or if you cannot work due to an accident or serious illness.


How does mortgage payment insurance work?

As with any insurance policy, you pay a monthly premium. If you lose your income for a reason that’s covered in the policy, such as redundancy, illness or injury, your mortgage protection policy pays you a monthly amount. This monthly benefit is subject to the policy terms and may be based on your mortgage repayments, your income, or a maximum monthly benefit. The length of time you receive this monthly payment depends on the policy, but it typically ranges from 6 to 24 months. You may have to wait a while for payments to start, usually between 30 and 180 days, depending on the nature of the mortgage payment insurance policy.

What does mortgage payment protection insurance cover?

Your mortgage payment protection insurance will depend on your policy details. Generally, it may provide you with an income in the event of:

  • Accident or illness – If a serious accident (such as a traffic accident or fall) or illness stops you from working
  • Redundancy or unemployment – If you are made redundant through no fault of your own (for example, if your employer goes into liquidation).

Some policies will cover you for either accident and illness or redundancy, but not both. Other mortgage insurance policies may cover you for both eventualities, but you may pay a higher premium for these more comprehensive MPPIs.


What isn't covered

There are certain situations that your mortgage insurance policy will not cover you for, including:

  • Voluntary redundancy
  • Being dismissed from your job for misconduct
  • Some pre-existing medical conditions
  • Self-inflicted injuries

Your Park Insurance broker will be able to explain to you the details of what is and isn’t covered in your policy.

Do I need mortgage payment protection insurance?

If you have your own home and a mortgage, taking out mortgage protection insurance could cover your mortgage repayments and, in some cases, other household bills while you are unable to work. It’s not essential, but it may be advisable to protect your assets.


Alternatives to mortgage protection insurance

There are alternatives to mortgage protection insurance, including:

  • Mortgage life insurance – can be arranged through a lender or independently and is designed to help repay your mortgage if you die
  • Critical illness cover – pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the specified serious illnesses covered by the policy
  • Income protection insurance – Pays you a proportion of your income and covers all expenses, not just your mortgage. Some insurers may also offer a long-term income protection plan if you become disabled and are no longer able to work

What affects the cost of a mortgage payment protection policy?

A number of factors can affect the cost of your mortgage payment protection policy. These include:

  • The level of cover – Policies that cover accident and sickness as well as unemployment may cost more than policies that cover only accident and sickness or exclusively cover unemployment
  • The monthly benefit amount – Higher monthly benefit payments may result in higher premiums
  • The length of the deferred period – If you choose a 30-day deferral, you may find that the premiums are higher than policies with longer deferred periods of 60 days or more.
  • Your age – If you’re older, you may encounter higher premium rates due to the increased perceived risk of illness
  • Employment type and job risk level – If you are in full-time employment, your policy may be more competitively priced than for someone in temporary or contract employment, depending on the insurer’s criteria. Manual or hazardous occupations may also result in a higher premium

What's the difference between mortgage protection insurance and life insurance?

The key difference between the two is that mortgage payment protection insurance provides short term cover so you can keep up with your mortgage repayments, whereas life insurance is long term cover that allows your next of kin to repay the mortgage if you die.


Will my job affect my mortgage payment insurance?

It can. Jobs considered higher risk, such as manual work, farming, construction, and some trades, are often more hazardous, as they carry a greater risk of accidents, such as falls, trips, and slips. Office jobs are considered safer and, therefore, may result in a lower premium rate.


Cover your mortgage repayments with Park Insurance

Park Insurance has been a specialist insurance brokerage for over 30 years. With experts who are fully qualified and regulated, the advice you receive is accurate, up to date, and impartial. Our position as a preferred broker for some of the UK's largest insurance providers enables us to access competitively priced deals and create bespoke insurance portfolios tailored to your specific needs and budget.

To find out more about mortgage repayment insurance, simply call us direct and talk to one of our advisers for a no-obligation free quote today.

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