Which mortgage life insurance do I need?
In Malaysia, there are two types of mortgage life insurance available – Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance (MRTA) or Mortgage Decreasing Term Assurance (MDTA) and Mortgage Level Term Assurance (MLTA).
However, MRTA and MLTA are often misunderstood. Which do you need as a homeowner?
MRTA is a life insurance plan with decreasing sum assured over time, and it used just to cover your home loan owed to bank. This plan is usually offered by the bank you are getting the mortgage from, as it is used as protection for the bank in case of misfortunes that stop you from servicing the loan.
On the other hand, MLTA is a slight variation from MRTA and offers an alternative for a borrower who is looking for a life insurance which offers protection plus savings and in some policies returns on the premium. This is a personal plan, where you and your dependents are financially protected when you are no longer around, or have lost the ability to generate income.
Here are the major differences between MRTA and MLTA:
| MRTA | MLTA | |
| Purpose | Protection | Protection, saving & cash value |
| Protection | Sum insured reduces according to loan tenure. | Sum insured remains the same on a fixed level sum assured basis. |
| Transferable | No | Yes |
| Nomination | Beneficiary is bank. | Beneficiary can be anyone. |
| Financing | Usually financed into home loan. | Usually self-financed. |
| Payment | Lump sum | Periodic (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually) |
| Premium | Low | High |
| Cash value | None. It has a reducing cash value, which drops to RM0 at the end of the loan tenure. | Yes. It has a fixed cash value (guaranteed) throughout the loan tenure. |
| Claim | Insurance company will pay the loan balance to the bank & the beneficiary will receive the home. | Insurance company will pay the loan balance to the bank & beneficiary will receive the home plus cash. |
The MRTA is most suitable for those who have adequate standalone life and medical insurance, and do not have many financial dependents. This type of insurance will only take care of your home loan, if it is not fully repaid in the event of TPD or death. Your family will not get a single cent from the policy in these events, as the beneficiary is the bank, not your family members.
MLTA is best for those who need an extra financial protection in the worst case scenario, as it also has a cash value at the end of the policy. This is best for those who have many financial dependents, for example young children and a stay-at-home spouse.
How much do I need to pay?
How much premium you need to pay for your MRTA or MLTA is subject to your age, loan amount and your loan tenure. The older you are and the higher the loan amount, the higher the premium you will have to pay.
Just like purchasing life or health insurance, if a person is diagnosed with a certain illness, the insurance company has the right to reject the policy or there will be extra loading in the premium. It depends on how severe the illness is and will only be determined after a medical examination by their panel doctors.
| Age | ||
| Property value | ||
| Financing percentage | ||
| Financing/coverage | ||
| Interest rate* | ||
| Premium | RM357.13 (monthly) | |
| Total cost (30 years) | ||
| No claim cash back (30 years) | ||
| Payment if TPD in 2020 | ||
| Payment if loss of life in 2020 |
* These figures are used as reference as the interest rate will differ from insurer to insurer.
Understanding what you are purchasing is crucial in managing your money. If you are unable to pay the premium of MRTA, you can opt to finance the premium into the loan and thus the loan instalment will increase. You will also be paying extra interest as the bank is advancing the money to you to pay the premium.
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