A Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee (MIG) is an insurance policy that protects lenders if the mortgage repayments cease for some reason, perhaps due to death or a homeowner being made redundant at work. The MIG is NOT insurance protecting the borrower but is there to reduce the lender’s losses as a result of mortgage default.
MIGs are usually required when the borrower is taking out a mortgage with a relatively high Loan to Value (LTV) Ratio. Most mortgagees will levy a Higher Lending Charge, sometimes known as an MIG when the LTV is over 75%.
It is important to know that whilst the cost of the Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee is born by the borrower, the MIG is an insurance policy in favour of the lender. That said, without an MIG, lenders would not provide mortgages at such high LTVs, so most people are willing to pay this extra cost and obtain a larger mortgage with a smaller deposit requirement as a result.
Typically the charge for an MIG will be calculated at between 6 - 8% of the loan amount over 75% LTV. Although charges vary, most lenders will simply increase the interest rate offered in order to collect the fee, so the borrower doesn’t have to find a lump sum payment.
For more information, contact a mortgage adviser on 01628 507477.
Recent posts
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a new measure to protect leaseholders in England and Wales from high fees and poorly regulated property management companies.
Saturday 26th September, Andy Burnham announced a new equity loan scheme called “Your First Home”. The scheme, which will be confirmed at next month’s budget, is aimed at first-time buyers looking to purchase a new-build property from a developer signed up to the scheme.
Losing your job or finding yourself ‘between jobs’ is, unsurprisingly, a stressful place to be. Keeping a cool head and taking action is important.
Best UK Mortgage Rates this Week
8 days ago
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
Flats 40% cheaper to buy than houses
12 days ago
This price gap between the cost of houses and flats is the biggest it has ever been. Houses are now costing 1.7 times more than a flat, which is 0.4 times higher than 10 years ago
Take a look at our list of houses vs. flats per area.
Are mortgage rates set to increase?
22 days ago
We have seen several lenders increase their mortgage rates over the last couple of weeks. This suggests mortgage rates are likely to rise.
Although nothing is set in stone, lender repricing, rising swap rates, and continued economic uncertainty suggest borrowers should prepare for higher mortgage costs.
AI-altered images put off over half of buyers
24 Aug 2026
According to data from House Buyer Bureau, where over 900 UK homebuyers were surveyed, 54% of people said that they immediately ruled out digitally enhanced property listings.
April Mortgages offer 7x Income Mortgage
13 Aug 2026
April Mortgages - only accessed via a mortgage broker - offers first-time buyers, renters, and home-movers the option to borrow up to 7 times their income on its longer-term mortgages.
More information
Trusted by
