CMHC mortgage insurance calculator
High-ratio purchases (under 20% down) usually add a default-insurance premium to the mortgage. This uses the 2026 CMHC bands.
Purchase
Minimum for this price: $25,000
Estimated premium
$19,000.00
4.00% of the mortgage (5.0% down)
Mortgage before premium
$475,000
Amount financed
$494,000
CMHC insurance protects the lender, not you. Premiums are typically added to the balance. How CMHC insurance works.
Use these numbers in the payment calculatorRules verified Jul 13, 2026 · Methodology
Frequently asked questions
- When is CMHC insurance required?
- On most high-ratio purchases (less than 20% down) up to the $1.5 million insurable cap. The premium is a percentage of the mortgage and is usually added to the balance, so you pay interest on it.
- What are the 2026 CMHC premium rates?
- 5–9.99% down: 4.00%. 10–14.99% down: 3.10%. 15–19.99% down: 2.80%. A 30-year amortization on an eligible insured mortgage adds 0.20 percentage points (for example 4.00% becomes 4.20%).
- Does CMHC insurance protect me?
- No. It protects the lender if you default. You still owe the mortgage, including the premium rolled in.
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