Mortgagee Clause Format and Example Wording

A mortgagee clause usually has three parts. First comes the lender's or servicer's name, followed by successor wording such as "its successors and/or assigns" (ISAOA) and often "as their interests may appear" (ATIMA). Then comes the lender's mailing address for insurance documents. The loan number goes alongside. The exact wording must always come from the lender.

People search for "mortgagee clause example" because they want a template. Here's one, using generic placeholders only. Every lender's real name, wording, and address differ, so treat this as a format guide, not something to copy onto a policy.

Generic mortgagee clause template

``` [Lender or Servicer Name], its successors and/or assigns, ATIMA [Attn: Insurance Department, if the lender specifies one] [PO Box or Street Address] [City, ST ZIP]

Loan Number: [Loan Number] ```

The abbreviated version many lenders publish:

``` [Lender Name] ISAOA/ATIMA [PO Box] [City, ST ZIP] ```

Line by line: what each part means

Line 1: the mortgagee's name

This is the legal entity the lender wants named. It might be the lender that closed the loan or the servicer. Fannie Mae requires "the lender's name, followed by the phrase 'its successors and/or assigns,' and mailing address." If the lender isn't the servicer, the servicer must be named the same way (B7-3-08).

Match the lender's spelling, punctuation, and entity suffix ("N.A.," "Inc.," "LLC," "FSB") exactly. Small differences can cause an evidence-of-insurance rejection.

Successor wording: ISAOA

ISAOA stands for "its successors and/or assigns." It means the lender's rights pass to whoever acquires the loan or its servicing. Freddie Mac's version is "its successors and assigns" (Guide 4703.6). Full explanation: ISAOA/ATIMA explained.

Interest wording: ATIMA

ATIMA stands for "as their interests may appear." It reflects the standard policy language that building losses are paid to the mortgagee and insured "as interests appear" (ISO HO 00 03). In practice, that means the lender's share is limited to its interest in the property. Not every lender includes ATIMA, so follow its instructions.

Attention line (optional)

Some lenders add a department or "c/o" line. Include it only if the lender's clause includes it.

Address lines: the insurance address

This is where the insurer sends declarations pages, renewal notices, cancellation notices, and bills. It's often a PO Box dedicated to insurance processing and is not the payment address. Fannie Mae requires insurers to send "all correspondence, policies, and bills to the servicer."

Loan number

Usually entered in the policy's loan number field next to the mortgagee. Without it, the lender can't match the evidence to the right account.

Variations you may see

Situation	Generic format	Source
Standard (most loans)	[Lender/Servicer Name], its successors and/or assigns, [ATIMA], [Insurance Address]	Fannie Mae B7-3-08; lender instructions
Fannie Mae must be named (rare)	Fannie Mae, in care of [Servicer Name and Address]	Fannie Mae B7-3-08
Freddie Mac-owned loan	[Seller/Servicer Name], its successors and assigns	Freddie Mac 4703.6
Deed-of-trust state (Freddie Mac)	[Seller/Servicer Name], its successors and assigns, beneficiary	Freddie Mac 4703.6
Second mortgage / HELOC	Second mortgagee: [HELOC Lender Name] ISAOA/ATIMA, [Insurance Address]	Lender instructions; see our HELOC guide
FHA / VA	The lender's own clause (no federal model wording)	HUD 4000.1; 38 CFR 36.4329

For the full investor rules behind these variations, see mortgagee clause requirements for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, and VA.

FHA's handbook says the mortgagee must be named as a "Loss Payee" on hazard policies it requires (HUD 4000.1 III.A.1.h), but it doesn't publish wording. Use the clause the FHA lender provides.

How the clause looks on a declarations page

On most homeowners declarations pages, the mortgagee section is a separate block below the coverages. Using placeholders, a first and second mortgagee might look like this:

``` MORTGAGEE / ADDITIONAL INTEREST 1st Mortgagee: [Lender Name] ISAOA/ATIMA [PO Box], [City, ST ZIP] Loan #: [Loan Number] 2nd Mortgagee: [HELOC Lender Name] ISAOA/ATIMA [PO Box], [City, ST ZIP] Loan #: [Loan Number] ```

Labels and layout vary by insurer. Some use "Mortgagee," "Mortgageholder," or "Additional Interest." What matters is that each lender's name, wording, address, and loan number match its instructions, and that the positions reflect lien priority. Title and closing teams should compare this block with the closing instructions before funding.

What should never appear in a mortgagee clause?

• MERS. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prohibit naming MERS as mortgagee or loss payee, even when it's the mortgagee of record.
• The investor instead of the servicer. Don't put "Fannie Mae" or "Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation" in place of the servicer unless the lender specifically instructs it in the form shown above.
• A loss payable clause instead of a mortgagee clause. On Fannie Mae one- to four-unit loans, a loss payable clause instead of a standard mortgagee clause "is not acceptable."
• The payment address.
• A previous servicer after a transfer.

Step by step: entering a clause correctly

1. Get the clause from the lender's closing instructions, the servicer's website, or a verified database.
2. Confirm it's the right clause for this loan. Some lenders use different clauses by loan type, portfolio, or servicer.
3. Enter the name exactly, including entity suffix.
4. Add the successor and interest wording in the lender's format, whether abbreviated or spelled out.
5. Enter the insurance address and double-check the ZIP.
6. Enter the loan number in the loan number field.
7. Set the mortgagee position: first for the first lien, second for a HELOC or junior lien.
8. Proofread the declarations page before sending it to the lender or title.

How MortgageeClauses.com helps

Templates show the format. The hard part is the actual name and address for a specific lender. MortgageeClauses.com gives you the current clause for a lender in one search: the name as it should appear on the policy, ISAOA/ATIMA wording, and insurance mailing address. Each record is marked Verified against a primary source or Pending Verification, with servicer contacts and verification portal links. See how to find any clause in 10 seconds, or start a 30-day trial, no card required.

Key takeaways

• Format: Name + successor wording (ISAOA) + optional ATIMA + insurance address, with the loan number alongside.
• Fannie Mae uses "its successors and/or assigns." Freddie Mac uses "its successors and assigns," plus "beneficiary" in deed-of-trust states.
• Never use MERS, the payment address, or a loss payable clause in place of the mortgagee clause.
• Templates are for format only. Get the real wording from the lender.
• Start with the basics: what a mortgagee clause is.