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Mortgage Basics

Escrow Accounts Explained

How lenders collect and pay your taxes and insurance.

5 min readBy NexGen Capital Corp · NMLS 1766649Updated 2026Mortgage Basics

Short answer

How lenders collect and pay your taxes and insurance.

Your monthly payment often includes 1/12 of annual property taxes and insurance. The servicer holds those funds and pays the bills on your behalf.

How escrow works

Your monthly payment often includes 1/12 of annual property taxes and insurance. The servicer holds those funds and pays the bills on your behalf.

Annual analysis

Once a year, the servicer reviews the account. If taxes or insurance rose, expect a shortage and higher monthly payment.

Florida-specific

With rising Florida insurance costs, escrow shortages have become more common. Budget accordingly.

Key takeaways

  • Escrow smooths tax and insurance costs.
  • Shortages happen when bills go up.

Frequently asked questions

Related mortgage option

Ready to apply this to a real loan? Review how Conventional Loans work in Florida, or estimate your monthly payment before you talk to an advisor.

Sources

Program rules change and individual lender overlays apply. Verify specifics with the agency or with a licensed NexGen Capital advisor before relying on them.

Reviewed by NexGen Capital Corp

Written and reviewed by the licensed mortgage team at NexGen Capital Corp, a Florida mortgage brokerage (NMLS #1766649). Verify our license on NMLS Consumer Access.

Last reviewed: 2026

This article is educational and is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Speak with a licensed NexGen advisor about your own situation.

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