Free Tool
CMHC Premium Calculator
See how your down payment affects mortgage default insurance — across 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% scenarios side-by-side.
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Total Mortgage
$790K
Total Mortgage
$742K
Total Mortgage
$699K
Total Mortgage
$640K
The Rate Card
Official CMHC premium rates
The percentage of your mortgage amount you'll pay as a premium, set by CMHC.
5% – 9.99%
Highest premium tier
10% – 14.99%
Significantly lower
15% – 19.99%
Lowest insured tier
20% +
Conventional mortgage
The Basics
When CMHC applies to your purchase
Four key things to know before deciding on your down payment.
Down payment under 20%
CMHC insurance is required by law on any mortgage with less than a 20% down payment.
Property price under $1.5M
Insured mortgages are only available on homes under $1.5M. Above that, you need 20%+ down.
Owner-occupied homes
The home must be your principal residence or one of your principal residences — not a rental.
Often a better rate
Counterintuitive but true: insured mortgages frequently get lower interest rates than conventional ones.
Common Questions
CMHC, explained
The questions buyers ask most often about default insurance.
Not Sure What Fits?
Let's figure out the right down payment together.
The math says 20% is cheapest. Your situation might say otherwise. A 30-minute call clarifies what's actually best for you.