Re-investing

• Endowment policyholders (mortgage borrowers) receive a letter every two years which shows them the status of their endowment policy. Insurers (those who issue endowments) are required to alert borrowers if they're in danger of shortfalling on their policies. Market-savvy consumers can choose to invest additional funds in the stock market to make up the difference on their endowments. With steady returns, some borrowers can cover a shortfall. However, this option should only be exercised when a borrower has a clear understanding of market complexities.
  
  

Restructuring Debt

• Some consumers choose to restructure their loans instead of taking their chances with the market. This process switches their mortgages from pure endowment loans to partial repayment loans. Essentially this means that customers will need to begin making direct principal payments to their lenders, not just to their endowment policy insurers. This is often considered the safest way to make up for an endowment mortgage shortfall.
  
  

Complaints

• The BBC reports that as of 2003, eight in ten endowment policies on consumer mortgages were in danger of shortfalling. While this stems in a large part from poor returns in the market, there are a slew of endowment mortgages that were mis-sold. Vulnerable and ignorant borrowers may have been attracted to endowment loans due to the low monthly payments. However, in some cases, lenders did not properly advise their borrowers of the risks inherent with these loans. In such cases, borrowers can file a complaint with the British government.