This is the sixth in a series of tips on buying and selling real estate:

While nobody likes to think about it, it is wise to consider what would happen if you die or become disabled while your mortgage is outstanding. How will it be paid?


By arranging life insurance, either directly or through your lender, the necessary funds will be available to fully retire the mortgage on death.

But before booking it, carefully assess whether the amount of insurance coverage you currently carry is adequate to cover your mortgage and your family's ongoing day-to-day and investment needs.

Disability insurance will help cover your mortgage payments if you become sick or disabled. Again, first see if your present level of disability insurance is satisfactory; if not, seriously consider arranging it, or hiking the amount, to protect your family.

Many lenders offer both life and disability insurance as options, but few absolutely require it.

Since a mortgage is one of the largest financial commitments you'll ever make, it's the ideal time to review your insurance needs and coverage - and make any necessary changes.

Tip No. 1: Buy First Or Sell First?
Tip No. 2: The Advantages Of A Resale Home
Tip No. 3: The Marketing Plan
Tip No. 4: Getting Interest On Your Deposit
Tip No. 5: What Are The "Usual Adjustments"?
Tip No. 7: Home Insurance
Tip No. 8: Choosing A Lawyer
Tip No. 9: The Offer To Purchase
Tip No. 10: Home Inspections
Tip No. 11: Surveys
Tip No. 12: The Counter Offer
Tip No. 13: Conditional Offers
Tip No. 14: Why Buy A Brand New Home?
Tip No. 15: Deposits - A Vital Part Of Every Deal


Excerpted from Alan Silverstein's Forty Plus One Real Estate Tips. Mr. Silverstein is a Toronto lawyer, author and broadcaster who devotes most of his practice to residential real estate and mortgage financing issues.
This page is provided as a service to the reader.  It is not an advertisement for, nor an endorsement of, Alan Silverstein.  The views expressed are those of the author.