Fannie Announces Hazard Insurance Change for Vacant Properties

Fannie Mae Mortgage Servicing Servicing Guide

On March 6, Fannie Mae issued Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2013-04, which requires servicers to cancel hazard insurance coverage (for both borrower and lender-placed policies) within 14 calendar days after a property appears on the Vacancy Report in HomeTracker. The policy took effect immediately and applies to all loans where the foreclosure sale occurred or will occur on or after October 1, 2012. For properties foreclosed after that date that have hazard insurance coverage still in place, the servicer must cancel the insurance by March 20, 2013. Fannie Mae also reminded servicers that if a policy is cancelled prematurely and damages are found, the servicer will be required to make Fannie Mae whole for any losses or fees relating to the property damages.