When is CMHC insurance required in Canada?
Generally when your down payment is below 20% on an insurable purchase price within CMHC limits.

Estimate CMHC mortgage insurance premium by down payment percentage. Plus a behavioral lens on framing so the math matches your mindset.
Educational estimates only. Not personalized advice. Data targets 2026 Canadian rules.
Behavioral lens: Framing
Insurance premium gets buried in the mortgage balance so it feels invisible. Reframing it as a percent of home price makes the true cost of a small down payment tangible before you offer.
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On a $500,000 purchase with $50,000 down (10%), the CMHC premium is about $13,950 (3.1% of the mortgage), bringing the total borrowed amount to $463,950.
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Framing CMHC as paperwork, not price. Insurance premium gets buried in the mortgage balance so it feels invisible. Reframing it as a percent of home price makes the true cost of a small down payment tangible before you offer.
Behavioral finance research shows that framing quietly shapes money choices long before a spreadsheet does. People often treat the first number they see — a monthly payment, a tax refund, an approval amount — as the “real” answer, then build a story that defends it. This calculator surfaces a second number on purpose: total cost, opportunity cost, runway, or match left on the table.
Use the outputs as decision hygiene, not destiny. Re-run the tool when rates, income, or goals change. Pair the estimate with a habit system — automatic transfers, spending reviews, and future-self reminders — so the insight survives past the browser tab. PsyFi exists to turn that moment of clarity into ongoing behavior change.
Authoritative sources for Canadian rules include the Canada Revenue Agency and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Always confirm current limits, stress-test rates, and program details before you commit to a contract or contribution.
Authoritative sources
See if your mortgage max leaves room to breathe after stress test, GDS/TDS limits, and your real life budget.
Behavioral lens: Optimism bias
Monthly payment, total interest, and CMHC premium with Canadian semi-annual compounding.
Behavioral lens: Anchoring
Compare total cost of renting versus buying over your chosen time horizon.
Behavioral lens: Status quo bias
Provincial and municipal land transfer tax with first-time buyer rebates.
Behavioral lens: Sunk cost
Generally when your down payment is below 20% on an insurable purchase price within CMHC limits.
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No. These are educational estimates using published rules for 2026. They are not tax, legal, mortgage, or immigration advice. Confirm current rates and your situation with qualified professionals before acting.
Estimates for education only. Not financial, tax, mortgage, immigration, or legal advice. Canadian rules and rates change. Verify current figures with qualified professionals before making decisions. PsyFi tools add behavioral context; they do not replace personalized planning.