Mobile Home Insurance FAQs

If you own a mobile home, you're likely already aware that the coverage provided by a standard homeowners insurance policy won't apply to your unit. In many cases, a specialized mobile home insurance policy is required. Your mobile home needs the right protection against many different threats, including vandalism, fire damage, hail, and more.

Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right mobile or manufactured home insurance. They'll help you find affordable mobile home insurance near you. But first, here's a breakdown of this coverage in the form of answers to some of the web's most frequently asked questions about mobile home insurance.

Q. What Is Mobile Home Insurance?

Q. What Is the Difference Between Mobile Home Insurance and Modular Home Insurance?

Q. What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover?

Q. How Much Does Mobile Home Insurance Cost?

Q. Is Mobile Home Insurance Required?

Q. How Much Mobile Home Insurance Do I Need?

Q. Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover Wildfires?

Q. What's Not Covered by Mobile Home Insurance?

Q. How to Get Mobile Home Insurance

Q. How to File a Mobile Home Insurance Claim

Q. Can I Get Coverage for an Older Mobile Home?

Q. Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mobile Homes?

Q. What If I Move My Mobile Home?

Q. Are There Mobile Home Insurance Discounts Available?

Q. How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help You Find Mobile Home Insurance?

What Is Mobile Home Insurance?

Mobile home insurance, or manufactured home insurance, is a special type of homeowners insurance policy designed to cover a different set of risks compared to traditional site-built homes. Manufactured homes are built in a factory with lighter materials, then transported to a site where they are typically tied down via ground anchors for stability. 

Because these homes are designed and built differently than traditional single-family homes, they need a special insurance policy that assumes the added risks that come with a strapped-down home vs. one built on a concrete foundation. However, similar to homeowners insurance, mobile home insurance coverage can include protection for your home's dwelling, other structures, your personal property, your personal liability, and loss of use. Insurance for manufactured homes considers all aspects of your home, the same way typical home insurance does.

What Is the Difference Between Mobile Home Insurance and Modular Home Insurance?

The main difference between these types of policies is in how insurance companies treat each type of property. Modular homes are more like site-built homes in that they are constructed on-site onto a foundation like a traditional home. Modular homes are only similar to mobile homes because they are built in a factory, and then sections are transported to the site for construction.

Modular homes may be treated like site-built homes for insurance purposes. Because they are built on foundations like single-family homes, they generally have fewer risks of damage or loss than mobile and manufactured homes. As such, their insurance policies reflect this.

What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover?

Mobile home insurance can cover many aspects of your home, including its dwelling and contents. The coverage you need for mobile and modular homes is similar to a traditional home. The structure of the policy and amount of coverage needed depend on the size and value of the home, whether you own the land the home is built on, and the risks in the area, among other factors. 

The standard types of mobile home insurance coverage often include:

• Dwelling: This covers your mobile home's structure against many different perils, such as vandalism and fire damage.
• Contents: This covers your personal property, such as clothing and furniture, against many different perils, including theft.
• Liability: This covers you against third-party claims of personal property damage or bodily injury and can pay for your legal defense costs in a related lawsuit.
• Other structures: This covers additional structures on your property that aren't attached to your mobile home, such as sheds and fences, against many different perils, including fire damage.
• Loss of use: This covers temporary expenses if your mobile home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, such as vandalism or fire damage, and can pay for costs like hotel rooms, take-out meals, and more.

For a more comprehensive mobile home insurance policy, you may choose to add the following types of coverage:

• Flood insurance: Standard mobile home insurance policies don't include coverage for natural flood damage to your home or property, so you may want an additional policy if you live in a flood-prone area.
• Earthquake insurance: Standard mobile home insurance policies also typically don't include coverage for earthquake damage, so it may be worth looking into a separate policy.
• Replacement cost coverage: This is usually an optional add-on to enhance your policy's coverage to pay for the full original replacement cost of your personal property without factoring in depreciation if it is stolen or destroyed by a covered peril.

An independent insurance agent can help you build a complete mobile home insurance policy with every type of coverage you need.

How Much Does Mobile Home Insurance Cost?

The average cost of mobile home insurance can vary considerably depending on several factors, including:

• Your location
• Your home's age and size
• The type and amount of coverage you need
• Your claims history

You may be able to save money on your mobile home insurance by asking your insurer about bundling discounts and other savings options. Having no claims history is also a great way to reduce your premiums. An independent insurance agent can help you find cheap mobile home insurance and compare mobile home insurance quotes from carriers near you.

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Is Mobile Home Insurance Required?

In some cases, yes, mobile home insurance may be required. The requirements for mobile home insurance vary by state. If you finance your home and make payments to a bank or mortgage company, you're usually required to have insurance to protect the bank’s investment as well as your own. Your mortgage lender typically requires proof of insurance before you can get approved. 

You might also be required to have mobile home insurance depending on where your property is located. Different parks and communities have their own rules for coverage. Be sure to research the mobile home insurance requirements in your area to avoid potential penalties for non-compliance. 

If you own your home outright, you could choose to self-insure your home. Whether this option makes sense for you depends on the value of your home and the number of other assets you have. Start by determining whether you could replace your home out of pocket if you suffer a total loss. An independent insurance agent can assist you.

How Much Mobile Home Insurance Do I Need?

The answer depends on your property and personal situation. There are many factors that go into determining the right amount of coverage for your manufactured or modular home. Consider the value of your home and all your possessions, including furniture, art, electronics, appliances, jewelry, etc., and whether you would be able to rebuild in the event of a total loss.

The other factor to consider is liability. Determine how much coverage you need to protect your finances in the event of a large claim, which can result from dog bites, four-wheeler accidents, slips and falls, and other injuries that may occur on your property. If you are sued, your liability coverage must be able to pay for legal defense costs as well as damages and lost wages or medical bills for the injured party. An independent insurance agent can help recommend the ideal amount of coverage for your policy.

Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover Wildfires?

In certain cases, yes. Many insurance policies cover disasters like wildfires, but in high-risk areas such as drought areas or densely forested regions, some policies exclude this coverage. Be sure to check your policy to determine that it does not specifically exclude wildfire risk. 

If you are covered, the policy may kick in if you have to evacuate due to a wildfire. Your coverage may pay for lodging, meals, and travel costs during the evacuation period. It may also provide coverage if your home is damaged by a wildfire. Your independent insurance agent can help you review your mobile home insurance policy to ensure you have wildfire coverage and determine which type you need.

What's Not Covered by Mobile Home Insurance?

Mobile home insurance exclusions typically apply to certain natural disasters and things that are considered the homeowner's responsibility, such as maintenance and upkeep. Mobile home insurance typically excludes the following:

• Wear and tear
• Homeowner neglect
• Natural flooding and earthquakes
• In-transit accidents

To find out specifically what your mobile home insurance doesn't cover, ask your independent insurance agent to review your policy's coverage exclusions with you.

Get Mobile Home Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

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How to Get Mobile Home Insurance

Manufactured and modular home insurance is offered through many companies, just like traditional homeowners insurance. You can get quotes and buy policies online with ease, but when asking how to get the best mobile home insurance, consider utilizing personalized guidance from an independent insurance agent.

These agents can quickly compare quotes and coverage options from several different mobile home insurance companies for you because they know which insurers have the best reputation in your area. Your agent can compare several mobile home insurance quotes to help you find the best mobile home insurance policy at a great rate.

How to File a Mobile Home Insurance Claim

If you've suffered a loss, you'll want to file a mobile home insurance claim ASAP. You can start by contacting your insurance company or an independent insurance agent. Your insurer or agent will ask for details about the incident and send you any claims forms you're required to complete. Be ready with picture or video evidence to help document your claim.

An independent insurance agent can help walk you through the entire claims process and keep you updated with ETAs for every step. They'll help ensure you get the reimbursement you're entitled to in a reasonable time frame.

Can I Get Coverage for an Older Mobile Home?

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to get coverage for an older mobile home. If your home was built before 1976, especially, it can be tough to get a policy. That year, federal safety and construction standards for manufactured homes were updated, meaning current insurance policies often don't offer enough coverage for them. 

Older mobile and manufactured homes carry a greater risk due to their increased susceptibility to weather damage and outdated safety features. As such, it can be especially difficult to insure them.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mobile Homes?

No, homeowners insurance policies often won't cover mobile, manufactured, or modular homes. You'll need a specific type of coverage for the type of property you have. An independent insurance agent can help you find the right mobile or manufactured home insurance policy for your unique property. 

What If I Move My Mobile Home?

If you move your mobile home, your insurance needs may change. For example, you may not have been required to have coverage in one area, but you are in your new location. Be sure to contact your insurance company right away to update your policy if you move your mobile home. An independent insurance agent can also assist you. 

Are There Mobile Home Insurance Discounts Available?

Yes, you can often find mobile home insurance discounts from many different carriers. These discounts may be offered for staying with the same insurance company over time, not filing a claim for several years, or for installing certain safety features on your property. Ask an independent insurance agent to help you find any discounts you qualify for. 

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help You Find Mobile Home Insurance?

When you're ready to find the best mobile home insurance for your property, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to several different insurance companies in your area, so they're free to shop and compare quotes and policy options for you. And down the road, your agent can help you file mobile home insurance claims and update your coverage when necessary.