Is mortgage insurance and taxes included in mortgage payments

Yes - your required payment will include monthly proeprty taxes / homeowners insurance ( if req) and the mortgage insurance

Maybe. It depends. Most of the time the answer is yes. Some loans require it, while other loans, if you have a big enough down payment (typically at least 20%), allow it to be optional. I'm a mortgage lender for properties in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Find me at JoeMetzler.com - Cambria Mortgage, NMLS 274132