What your mortgage-default insurance costs.
Put less than 20% down and your mortgage must be insured — a one-time premium added to your loan. Enter your price and down payment to see the premium and your total mortgage.
Premiums follow the standard CMHC/Sagen/Canada Guaranty schedule by loan-to-value. A 30-year amortization adds a 0.20% surcharge.
The premium is added to your mortgage and paid off over your amortization — not due in cash at closing. However, in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba the provincial sales tax on the premium is payable at closing and can't be added to the loan. The more you can put down, the lower the tier — 20% down removes the premium entirely.
Is a bigger down payment worth it?
Crossing a tier (e.g. 15% to 20% down) can wipe out the premium and lower your rate. A licensed mortgage professional runs both scenarios so you can decide with the numbers.
- Compares down-payment scenarios
- Confirms the insurer and premium
Illustrative estimate using the standard high-ratio premium schedule (90.01–95% LTV = 4.00%, 85.01–90% = 3.10%, 80.01–85% = 2.80%) plus the 0.20% 30-year surcharge. The actual premium is set by the mortgage insurer (CMHC, Sagen or Canada Guaranty) and can vary with product and borrower. Provincial sales tax on the premium is not included. Not an offer of credit.