What is lenders mortgage insurance? (LMI)

Lenders Mortgage Insurance, or LMI, is designed to protect the lender, not the borrower, in case the borrower defaults on their loan (i.e. can no longer make their repayments). If the borrower defaults, the lender can repossess the property, however there’s a risk that the property price could have fallen and the lender could suffer a loss. LMI covers this risk.

What you need to know

LMI can allow borrowers with a smaller deposit to get into the property market sooner
Typically, LMI is only required if the borrower has less than a 20% deposit as they are seen as more risky and the lender has less of a buffer if the property value was to decrease. However, as different lenders may have different rules, ask your broker about different lenders policies
The amount of LMI required varies and can depend on the size of your deposit, the loan amount and property value.
Depending on the lender, the LMI amount may be added onto the loan or paid as an upfront cost
If it’s added to the loan, it will increase your loan amount and therefore increase the interest you pay over the life of the loan
To avoid paying LMI you could consider.
– Growing your deposit to 20% or more
– Getting a family member to go guarantor
– Asking your broker if you qualify for any LMI Waiver schemes

Let’s look at this example

If you want to buy a house that’s worth
$500,000, you would typically require a deposit of $100,000 (20% of the property’s value). If you’ve only saved $50,000, but you have sufficient income to support the loan, you may be able to take advantage of Lenders Mortgage Insurance. You could then secure a loan of $450,000 needed to buy your new home.

Need more information?

LMI requirements may differ between lenders so it’s important to understand your chosen lender’s requirements.
It should be remembered that this fact sheet is intended to provide general information of an educational nature
only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any individual and must not be relied upon as
financial product advice. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation
or needs you should, before acting on this, consider the appropriateness to your circumstances. As always, if you have any questions, you can contact your broker.

Recent articles

Back to Info Centre overview

Licensing statement: Rayne Finance ABN [70 605 100 838] is authorised under LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd Australian Credit Licence 517192. Disclaimer: (1) As with any financial scenario there are risks involved. This information provides an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive analysis. You should, before acting in reliance upon this information, seek independent professional lending or taxation advice as appropriate and specific to your objectives, financial circumstances or needs. This publication is provided on the terms and understanding that: (2) LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd, Rayne Finance (Seed Lending Pty Ltd) and the authors, consultants and editors are not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in this publication, nor for any error in or omission from this publication. (3) LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd, Rayne Finance (Seed Lending Pty Ltd) and the authors, consultants and editors, expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to the maximum extent permitted by the law to any person, whether a purchaser or reader of this publication or not, in respect of anything, and of the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication.

Explore other FAQs and Facts

What is the cash rate and how could it impact me?

The cash rate can have a significant impact on home loan repayments. When interest rates are low, it can make it easier for people to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgage, as their repayments will be lower. However, when interest rates rise, home loan repayments can increase, which can be a burden for some homeowners.