When people think about their mortgage payment, they usually focus on the loan itself.
However, one of the biggest factors affecting your monthly payment is homeowners' insurance.
Most homeowners pay what is known as PITI:
If your insurance premium increases, your mortgage company must collect more money through escrow to cover the higher cost.
That means your monthly payment increases even though your interest rate stays the same.
Premiums can increase because of:
Texas homeowners have seen insurance costs rise substantially over the past several years, although the pace of rate increases has slowed recently.
Absolutely.
Many homeowners renew automatically without comparing rates.
Shopping your homeowners insurance each year may help you find comparable coverage at a better price, which can reduce future escrow increases.
As an independent insurance agency owner representing multiple carriers, I can compare coverage options while also helping you understand how insurance impacts your total housing costs.