Canadian mortgage insurance help centre

Mortgage insurance support in Canada: find the right help

Get directed to the right next step for policy documents, mortgage life insurance claims, cancellation, complaints, lender changes, payment difficulty, or a new quote comparison.

Quick answer

For an existing policy or claim, contact the insurer or lender named in your certificate. This website can explain products and help with new quote comparisons, but it cannot access another company’s policy file, approve a claim, change beneficiaries, cancel coverage, or alter a mortgage.

Existing-policy direction Locate the issuer, certificate, policy number, claim process, and cancellation instructions.
Claims and complaint steps Understand where to start, what records to keep, and how unresolved concerns may be escalated.
New coverage guidance Compare mortgage life, personal life, disability, critical illness, and job-loss options.
Canadian homeowner locating mortgage insurance policy and support information
Start with the certificate—not the mortgage statement The certificate usually identifies the insurer, coverage, policy or certificate number, claim instructions, exclusions, and cancellation process.
Choose the issue you need to solve

Different mortgage insurance questions go to different organizations

Use the route below to avoid sending a claim to a broker, asking an informational site to cancel a bank product, or confusing mortgage default insurance with optional mortgage protection.

Existing policy

I need my certificate or coverage details

Check online banking, mortgage closing records, renewal documents, email, and mailed correspondence. Then contact the lender or insurer that issued the coverage.

Review what the certificate should explain
Claim

I need to report a death, disability, illness, or job loss

Contact the insurer shown on the certificate as soon as possible. Ask for the claim package, filing deadline, required evidence, waiting period, and claim reference number.

Read federal claim guidance
Cancellation

I want to cancel optional mortgage insurance

Follow the certificate’s cancellation instructions and request written confirmation. Confirm when premiums stop and whether replacement coverage is active before cancelling.

Review mortgage life insurance rights
Denied or delayed claim

I disagree with the insurer’s decision

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing. Follow the insurer’s internal complaint process and retain the final-position letter before seeking an external review.

Review the complaint process
Payment difficulty

I may miss a mortgage payment

Contact the mortgage lender immediately. Ask about tailored mortgage-relief options and check whether an existing disability, critical illness, or job-loss policy may support an eligible claim.

Review mortgage-relief options
Renewal or refinance

My lender, balance, or mortgage is changing

Ask whether existing lender-connected coverage ends, continues, or needs a new application. Compare replacement eligibility and cost before the old mortgage is discharged.

Review renewal and pricing questions
Default insurance

I have a CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty question

Mortgage default insurance protects the lender. Start with the mortgage lender or broker handling the financing file, premium, portability, or insured-mortgage status.

Understand mortgage default insurance
Lost policy

I cannot find a deceased person’s life policy

Search financial records and contact likely lenders or insurers. The OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance may help with locating an old or lost Canadian life insurance policy.

Visit OLHI
New comparison

I need new or replacement coverage

Prepare the mortgage balance, province, borrower details, dependants, existing insurance, and the event you want to protect against before comparing quotes.

Request a new quote
Time-sensitive support

Act promptly when a claim or missed payment may be involved

Insurance certificates can contain claim deadlines, waiting periods, evidence requirements, and conditions that affect eligibility. Mortgage-payment problems can also become more difficult when the lender is contacted late.

  • Notify the insurer or lender as soon as reasonably possible.
  • Ask for the exact deadline and required forms in writing.
  • Keep copies of every form, attachment, letter, email, and submission confirmation.
  • Record the date, time, employee name, department, and reference number for each contact.
  • Do not assume that telling a branch employee, broker, or this website starts a formal claim.
  • Do not cancel existing coverage until replacement coverage is approved and active.
Mortgage insurance claim path

A practical five-step claim process

The insurer’s certificate controls the actual procedure. These steps help you begin with the right contact and preserve a clear record.

01

Identify the insurer

Find the certificate, policy number, insured borrower, lender, and contact information for the claims department.

02

Report the event

Contact the insurer by the method listed in the certificate and request the correct death, disability, illness, or job-loss package.

03

Confirm requirements

Ask about deadlines, waiting periods, medical or employment evidence, authorizations, signatures, and who must complete each form.

04

Submit and document

Keep complete copies and proof of delivery. Record the claim number and follow up if the insurer requests more information.

05

Review the decision

If approved, confirm the amount and payment method. If denied or delayed, request written reasons and complaint instructions.

Canadian borrower reviewing mortgage insurance documents and claim instructions
Existing policy support

Use the issuer’s service channel for changes to active coverage

The lender, insurer, or administrator named in the certificate controls policy servicing. A separate broker, comparison website, or mortgage professional may explain general concepts but normally cannot access or change a policy issued elsewhere.

Ask the issuer to confirm any change in writing and keep it with the original certificate. This is especially important after a refinance, lender switch, mortgage increase, separation, name change, or payment-account change.

1

Verify the exact product

Confirm whether it is mortgage life, disability, critical illness, job-loss, personal life, or mortgage default insurance.

2

Locate the servicing organization

Use the certificate—not a search result—to identify the insurer, administrator, lender, phone number, website, and mailing address.

3

Ask for written confirmation

Request confirmation of cancellation, premium changes, coverage status, claim submission, beneficiary information, or any other service request.

4

Review replacement risk

Age, health, smoking status, underwriting, and lender changes can affect replacement eligibility and cost.

Who should you contact?

Match the issue to the organization that can act on it

The fastest support path depends on whether the issue concerns the insurance contract, mortgage account, new quote, default-insurance file, or complaint.

Your issue First contact What to prepare What to request
Existing mortgage life or credit-insurance policy Insurer or administrator named in the certificate; lender if it administers the product. Certificate or policy number, mortgage account, insured borrower, contact details. Current coverage, premium, benefit, exclusions, cancellation, claim, or service instructions.
Death, disability, critical illness, or job-loss claim Claims department of the insurer listed in the certificate. Claim number if opened, event date, required forms, supporting evidence, authorization. Deadline, waiting period, missing documents, decision timeline, and written outcome.
Mortgage payment difficulty Mortgage lender or servicer immediately. Mortgage number, income change, budget, arrears status, upcoming payment and renewal date. Available relief measures, cost implications, written agreement, and effects on amortization.
CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty file Mortgage lender or mortgage professional handling the insured application. Mortgage commitment, property details, down payment, insurer and premium information. Insured status, premium, portability, premium credit, conditions, or lender submission details.
New or replacement mortgage protection Quote provider or licensed insurance professional for the proposed coverage. Mortgage balance, province, ages, smoking status, dependants, debts and existing insurance. Written quote, policy structure, underwriting, exclusions, beneficiary and portability details.
Complaint about a policy, premium, or claim Insurer, lender, agent, or broker through its internal complaint process. Policy number, timeline, names, records, disputed decision and requested resolution. Complaint reference, process steps, response deadline and final-position letter.
Prepare your records

Documents that make support faster and more accurate

Only submit documents requested through the insurer’s or lender’s secure process. Keep your own complete copy of everything sent.

Policy or certificate

Insurer name, certificate number, insured people, start date, coverage, exclusions, claim and cancellation instructions.

Mortgage records

Lender, mortgage number, current balance, renewal date, payment frequency, refinance or discharge documents.

Claim evidence

Only what the insurer requests, such as forms, death certificate, medical information, employment records, or authorizations.

Communication log

Dates, employee names, departments, reference numbers, promises, deadlines, and copies of written responses.

Premium records

Bank statements, mortgage statements, invoices, rate changes, refunds, disputed charges, and cancellation date.

Complaint summary

A short chronology, the issue, the decision you dispute, supporting documents, and the resolution requested.

Payment-difficulty budget

Income, essential expenses, other debts, arrears, upcoming payments, and realistic short-term payment capacity.

Replacement comparison

Existing and proposed premium, benefit, beneficiary, exclusions, underwriting, term, waiting periods and effective dates.

Hyperlocal support reality

National products still operate through local lenders, regulators, and household costs

Your first contact is usually the issuer or lender, but the financial impact and complaint route may also depend on the province, property type, and institution involved.

ON

Ontario

GTA and Ontario borrowers facing high payments should contact the lender early and document condo fees, property taxes, childcare, commuting, and other essential costs when discussing relief.

Review Ontario guidance
BC

British Columbia

Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Victoria, and Interior households may need to show strata fees, special assessments, commuting, and high mortgage carrying costs when explaining financial pressure.

Review British Columbia guidance
AB

Alberta

Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, and smaller communities may involve sector-sensitive income, contract work, vehicles, utilities, and detached-home costs that affect claim or relief discussions.

Review Alberta guidance
QC

Quebec

Quebec residents may use provincial complaint and regulatory channels, including the Autorité des marchés financiers, after following the insurer’s process where applicable.

Review AMF assistance
RURAL

Rural and northern borrowers

Limited branch access, seasonal work, travel, internet reliability, fuel, private roads, wells, septic systems, and heating can affect both document collection and the household budget.

Review the broader financial gap
CANADA

Provincial and territorial regulation

Insurance regulation is shared across Canada. The correct regulator depends on the province or territory and the type of institution or complaint.

Find complaint guidance
Denied claim or unresolved service issue

Escalate a complaint in a documented order

Complaints about a policy, premium, agent, broker, or claim should normally begin with the company involved. External review bodies generally expect you to complete the internal process first.

1

Prepare the file

Collect the policy number, facts, dates, employee names, documents, decision, and the specific resolution you want.

2

Use the company process

Submit the complaint through the insurer, lender, agent, or broker’s formal complaint channel and keep the reference number.

3

Request the final decision

Ask for a letter that clearly states the company’s final position and the external options available.

4

Seek external review

For eligible life and health insurance complaints, OLHI offers free, independent and impartial review. Provincial routes may also apply.

Continue with the right resource

Choose the product or question you need to understand

Use these guides for education and new comparisons. Contact the existing issuer for active-policy servicing and claims.

Mortgage life insurance

Understand lender-connected death protection, beneficiary structure, declining benefits, and lender changes.

Open the mortgage life guide

Mortgage default insurance

Understand lender protection, insured mortgages, premiums, down-payment context, and portability questions.

Open the mortgage insurance guide

Pricing and replacement

Review age, balance, coverage, underwriting, renewal, portability, and total-cost considerations.

Open the pricing guide

Common questions

Read direct answers about claims, cancellation, beneficiaries, refinancing, lender switches, and policy documents.

Open the FAQ hub

Mortgage disability insurance

Review waiting periods, disability definitions, monthly limits, benefit duration, and claim evidence.

Open the disability guide

Critical illness protection

Understand covered conditions, survival periods, exclusions, maximum benefits, and claim requirements.

Open the critical illness guide

Job-loss protection

Review employment eligibility, waiting periods, temporary benefits, exclusions, and self-employment limits.

Open the job-loss guide

Mortgage life vs term life

Compare benefit control, beneficiary choice, underwriting, portability, coverage amount, and renewal pricing.

Compare the options
Responsible support guidance

The written certificate and issuer remain the source of truth

Product terms, claims, cancellation, underwriting, service channels, complaint processes, and mortgage-relief options vary. Confirm current instructions with the organization that issued or services the policy or mortgage.

This page helps borrowers find the correct path. It does not replace a claim submission, complaint, legal notice, mortgage-relief request, or policy-service instruction.

Common support questions

Mortgage insurance support FAQs for Canada

Direct answers for policyholders, claimants, homeowners, refinancers, and borrowers trying to find the correct contact.

Who should I contact about an existing mortgage life insurance policy?

Contact the insurer, administrator, or lender named in the certificate of insurance. Have the certificate or policy number, mortgage account, insured borrower, and contact information ready.

Can this website access, change, or cancel my policy?

No. This website provides educational information and new quote guidance. It cannot access another company’s policy records, submit a formal claim, change coverage, update beneficiaries, stop premiums, or cancel an existing policy.

How do I start a mortgage life, disability, or critical illness claim?

Find the insurance certificate and contact the claims department listed in it as soon as possible. Ask for the correct claim package, filing deadline, waiting period, evidence requirements, and a claim reference number.

What documents might an insurer request for a claim?

Requirements depend on the claim. The insurer may request completed forms, identity and policy information, a death certificate, medical records or authorizations, employment evidence, proof of disability, or other documents listed in the certificate.

What should I do if my mortgage insurance claim is denied?

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing. Review the certificate, submit any missing information, use the insurer’s internal complaint process, and request its final-position letter. Eligible life and health insurance complaints may then be reviewed by OLHI.

Can I cancel optional mortgage insurance?

Optional mortgage insurance can generally be cancelled by following the certificate’s instructions. Contact the issuer, request written confirmation, verify when charges stop, and make sure any replacement coverage is active before cancelling.

What happens to mortgage life insurance when I refinance or switch lenders?

Lender-connected coverage may end when the existing mortgage is discharged or may require a new application. Confirm the termination date, replacement eligibility, new premium, age limits, underwriting, and possible gap before the transaction closes.

Who helps if I am struggling to make mortgage payments?

Contact the mortgage lender or servicer as soon as possible. Ask about mortgage-relief measures appropriate to your situation. Also check whether existing disability, critical illness, or job-loss insurance may support an eligible claim.

Who handles questions about CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty insurance?

Start with the mortgage lender or mortgage professional handling the insured financing. Mortgage default insurance protects the lender and is managed as part of the mortgage file rather than as a personal life-insurance policy.

How do I complain about an insurance company, agent, or broker?

Follow the company’s internal complaint process first. Keep a written chronology and request its final decision. If the issue remains unresolved, an external ombudservice or provincial or territorial regulator may be available depending on the product and location.

New coverage or replacement review

Need a new mortgage protection comparison?

For a new quote—not service on an existing policy—share the mortgage situation, province, timeline, borrowers, dependants, existing coverage, and the risk you want to protect against.

Buying, renewing, refinancing, switching lenders, or replacing coverage Mortgage balance, remaining amortization, province, and important dates Borrower ages, smoking status, dependants, obligations, and existing insurance

Do not use the quote form to report an existing claim, request urgent mortgage relief, cancel a policy, or send sensitive medical documents. Contact the current insurer or lender through its official service channel.

Canadian homeowner preparing details for a new mortgage protection quote