When you close on a home loan, your name, address, lender, and loan amount become public records. Companies use those records to mail you offers for mortgage protection insurance.
Your loan is recorded with the county. That keeps track of who has an interest in the home. It also means marketers can see it.
Many of these letters are made to look like they came from your lender. Some put your lender's name in bold. Most have small print that says they are not connected to any bank.
Some offers are real. Others are scams that use scary words, like a problem with your loan. If you are not sure, call your lender using the number on your statement.
Mortgage protection insurance pays off your loan if you die. The payout gets smaller as you pay down the loan, but the premium stays the same. The lender gets the money, not your family.
You can cut down on some offers. Go to optoutprescreen.com or call 1 888 567 8688 to stop prescreened offers of credit and insurance for five years or for good.
- Check the small print for words like not affiliated
- Call your lender directly if unsure
- Never send money or personal info by mail
- Compare with a term life quote before buying
More questions
Is the letter from my bank?
Usually not. Credit unions that studied these letters say they are ads from outside companies.
Is mortgage protection insurance a good deal?
For many healthy people, term life costs less and pays your family, who can choose to pay off the home.
Words to know
- Premium
- The amount you pay an insurance company for your policy.
