Most servicers accept a PMI cancellation request over the phone. Almost none of them act on it quickly unless it's in writing, cites the right law, and includes the right numbers.
Why it has to be in writing
The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. §4902) gives you the right to request PMI cancellation once your loan-to-value (LTV) reaches 80% of your home's original value, but servicers process these requests from a queue, not a hunch. A written request creates a paper trail, starts the clock on their response obligation, and gives you something to point back to if the process stalls.
What to include in your letter
- Your loan number and property address, exactly as they appear on your statement.
- Your current balance and estimate of current value, the two numbers your LTV is based on.
- A citation to the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998. Naming the specific federal right you're invoking removes any ambiguity about what you're asking for.
- A request for written confirmation, of either approval or the specific reason for denial (usually a payment-history issue or a required appraisal).
The template
[Property address]
[Date]
[Servicer name]
Attn: PMI / Escrow Department
[Servicer mailing address]
Re: Request for PMI Cancellation, Loan #[loan number]
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to request cancellation of private mortgage insurance (PMI) on the above-referenced loan, pursuant to my rights under the Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 (12 U.S.C. §4902).
My current estimated loan-to-value ratio is approximately [X]%, based on an outstanding balance of [$balance] against an original/current value of [$value]. I am current on my payments and have not had a payment more than 30 days late in the past 12 months.
Please confirm in writing whether this request has been approved, or advise of any additional documentation (such as a certified appraisal) required to process it. If an appraisal is required, please provide the approved appraiser list and estimated cost.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Fill in your LTV percentage, balance, and value before mailing. A letter with the math already done gets processed faster than one that makes the servicer calculate it themselves. Estimates only, not financial or legal advice. Verify with your lender.
How to send it (and follow up)
- Check your servicer's preferred channel first. Many accept PMI requests through their online portal, which is faster than mail and still creates a timestamped record.
- If mailing, use certified mail with a return receipt. It costs a few dollars and gives you legal proof of delivery if the process stalls.
- Follow up in 2–3 weeks if you haven't heard back. Servicers are required to act on valid requests, but a phone follow-up referencing your certified mail receipt tends to move things along.
- Get the cancellation confirmation in writing and keep it. It's your proof if PMI ever mistakenly reappears on a future statement.
"A letter with the math already done gets processed faster than one that makes the servicer calculate it themselves."
Our free PMI drop-date calculator tells you your exact LTV and whether you already qualify. CasaCrow Pro's PMI Removal Kit goes further and auto-generates this letter pre-filled with your real numbers.
Writing the letter is the easy part. Knowing when you actually qualify, and remembering to send it the month you hit 80%, is where most homeowners lose money. CasaCrow tracks your LTV continuously and tells you the day you're eligible.
Let CasaCrow write the letter for you
The PMI Removal Kit auto-generates this letter with your real numbers already filled in.
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