How to go about securing the best policy for your insurance in Canada.
Latest News
National Bank of Canada World Elite Mastercard review Oct 31st
National Bank’s World Elite Mastercard has long earned accolades for its included insurance, robust points program and unique and valuable perks, making it a solid choice as a travel card. With the fall 2022 restructuring of its rewards program and other adjustments affecting insurance and the rei.... More »
Canada’s best no-fee credit cards 2022 Nov 4th
Some of the best things in life are free—so why should you expect any different from your credit card? Canada has an impressive array of no-fee credit cards that don’t charge cardholders an annual fee, while also delivering respectable rewards like cash back and travel points. Many of these no-f.... More »
Are your deposits at Canadian financial institutions safe? Mar 21st
Ask MoneySense
We live in Ontario, and in light of the current banking problems in the U.S., we are a bit concerned about our investments.
They are held at three different banks at the moment and are largely in GICs and high-interest savings accounts.
We are aware that up to $100,000 is insure.... More »
Can life insurance be used as a fixed income investment? Dec 21st
Q. I am 55 years old, recently finished a four-year battle with cancer, and will be retiring soon. I have a healthy portfolio, consisting of 60% in blue-chip stocks and 40% in fixed income, which will look after my husband’s and my financial needs in the future. I also hold a $2-million life ins.... More »
Prospective home buyers feel the heat over new mortgage rules, but all hope is not lost, industry leaders say Jul 10th
Mortgage default insurance is mandatory on down payments between five and 19.99 per cent, and as of July 1 it will be even harder to qualify through the national housing agency. But don’t panic just yet..... More »
Financial Support for Seniors During COVID-19
– ratesupermarket.ca
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canadian students, workers, parents, children, seniors, and everyone in between. Financial uncertainty continues to be a large area of concern, although many have been impacted in other ways too. The Government of Canada has responded to the financial needs of Canadians through their COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. The health of seniors is a top priority; however, their financial well-being is also important and has not been forgotten amongst the volatility of the pandemic. The Canadian government has provided financial relief for them as well.
Some seniors may be eligible for more government support, depending on their circumstances. Here are a few of the available financial resources.
Minimum withdrawal reduction for RRIFs
A Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is an arrangement between an individual and a carrier that is registered with the government. The carrier could be an insurance company, bank, or trust company. Property is held within the RRIF, which may have been transferred from an RRSP, another RRIF, or another source…
CMHC tightens mortgage rules in latest response to COVID-19
– moneysense.ca
On June 4, 2020, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced changes to the eligibility rules for mortgage insurance, in the agency’s latest response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new rules will lower the amount of debt an applicant for an insured mortgage can carry, set a higher credit score to qualify for CMHC insurance, and will require a homebuyer to use their own, and not borrowed, funds for their down payment.
COVID-19 “has exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in our financial markets, and we must act now to protect the economic futures of Canadians,” said Evan Siddall, CMHC’s President and CEO.
CMHC provides insurance that protects lenders if homeowners default on their mortgage. If a buyer has a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price, mortgage default insurance is required, and is paid by the homeowner. Some properties, including those with a purchase price of $1 million or more, are not eligible for CMHC insurance.
Siddall says the new rule changes will stabilize housing markets by reducing demand and putting a damper on “unsustainable housing price growth…
The new rules will lower the amount of debt an applicant for an insured mortgage can carry, set a higher credit score to qualify for CMHC insurance, and will require a homebuyer to use their own, and not borrowed, funds for their down payment.
COVID-19 “has exposed long-standing vulnerabilities in our financial markets, and we must act now to protect the economic futures of Canadians,” said Evan Siddall, CMHC’s President and CEO.
CMHC provides insurance that protects lenders if homeowners default on their mortgage. If a buyer has a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price, mortgage default insurance is required, and is paid by the homeowner. Some properties, including those with a purchase price of $1 million or more, are not eligible for CMHC insurance.
Siddall says the new rule changes will stabilize housing markets by reducing demand and putting a damper on “unsustainable housing price growth…
