Tiny houses are a new type of home that have become increasingly popular throughout the United States for individuals and families. They’re usually equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and then have a variety of different bedroom and/or living space styles, depending on the size and layout of the tiny house.

For some people, they can be a cost effective and comfortable option when they’re looking to buy a home. Generally on sound foundation, they can be the perfect dwelling for people looking to live the minimal life style. Insuring a tiny home has some similarities to insuring a regular home but also some important differences to know about.

You want to make sure you have both the structure of your home and the items inside protected. You may need a variation of homeowners insurance or a specialty type of insurance for your tiny home, it depends on a number of factors.

You also want to make sure that, depending on the area you live in, you have any extra coverage you might need, such as flood insurance. Having the right type of insurance coverage can help you avoid any out of pocket costs for repairs or damage done to your tiny home. This article will help you determine if you need tiny house insurance and cover four things you have to know.

Before you dive in, enter your ZIP code into our free insurance quote comparison tool to see which company will offer you the best rate. You can even find them for alternative living structures such as tiny homes.

Do I need insurance for my tiny house?

If you have a tiny home, you will need insurance to make sure it is well protected. In some cases and areas, you may not be legally required to have tiny house insurance. However, getting coverage for it can make sure you are protected if disaster strikes. The same as any regular sized house, making sure your homeowners policy is up to speed with what you own is crucial.

The type of insurance you need for your tiny house largely depends on the type of tiny home you have and how you intend on using it. Tiny homes come in many different variations: some are tiny trailer homes and some are stationary.

If your home is on wheels and will be traveling on the road, you may need a form of RV insurance to make sure it is protected while on the road and while parked. If your home is stationary, a variation of homeowners insurance may be needed to make sure the structure is protected, as well as your personal belongings.

What To Know About Tiny Home Insurance

Since there is such a wide variety of coverage options out there, there are a few things you may want to consider before choosing the most standard coverage. Here are four things you need to know in order to determine what type of insurance you need for your tiny home.

#1 — If you plan on moving your tiny house around, you’ll need RV insurance

If you plan on building your tiny house on a trailer frame so you’re able to move it around the state or country, you’ll need to get RV insurance. Having this form of tiny house insurance in place helps ensure that if anything were to happen to your home while it was moving, you would have protection, as opposed to standard homeowners insurance or mobile home insurance.

You might have to make sure that your tiny house meets any requirements set by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) in order to insure it. Many insurers will only insure a house on wheels if it’s made by a certain manufacturer.

If you find an insurer who might bend their rules and insure your tiny house on wheels without the RVIA seal of approval, you could potentially risk having a tiny house insurance policy that doesn’t provide full coverage for your house.

#2 — If you plan on having your tiny house stay stationary, you’ll need manufactured home insurance

Manufactured home insurance, also known as mobile home insurance, is similar to standard homeowners insurance.

Manufactured home insurance for tiny homes covers the structure of your mobile home and your personal property, but it won’t necessarily cover your home if it’s on wheels or if you decide to move it. You’ll also have insurance for any guests that might be injured while in your tiny house or on your property.

You may need to purchase extra insurance depending on the area you live in and any perils you might encounter, like flooding or earthquakes, that won’t necessarily be covered under your regular manufactured home insurance policy.

#3 — If you build your tiny house on your own, you might have difficulty finding insurance

Insurance companies often won’t insure houses that aren’t built by professionals or contractors because they deem it more likely that the house might have a structural problem.

Depending on if the tiny house you built is on wheels or not, you’ll have to try to find a company that will provide you the right tiny house insurance for a home you built yourself. You might have to shop around to find an insurance company that specializes in insuring homes that are built by their owners.

#4 — Some insurance companies offer specific tiny house insurance policies

Although many of the household name insurance brands might not have specific tiny house insurance policies yet, some smaller companies have created policies that are tiny house specific. Companies with tiny house specific policies can help cater their policies to your home, depending on both size and if you want your tiny home to have mobility or not.

Having specific tiny house insurance can be beneficial because it can be tailored to your exact needs as a tiny house owner and you ensure you’re getting enough coverage in the event of an emergency.

Whenever you’re investing your money in a home of any kind, you want to make sure you’re protecting your investment.

If you buy a tiny house, it’s important to make sure you obtain the right form of tiny house insurance for your new home so you and your family are covered in the event of an emergency. Insurance for a tiny house is different than regular homeowners insurance, but still just as important to have in place.

How much does tiny house insurance cost?

The cost of tiny house insurance can vary greatly because there are so many different kinds of tiny homes that are used for different things. The prices for coverage can vary based on the following factors:

• The construction of your tiny home
• The size and value of the home
• How you plan on using the tiny house (whether it's on wheels or a stationary home)
• The coverage you want and need
• Your credit history and claims history

Summary: 4 things to know about tiny house insurance

1. If you plan on moving your tiny house around, you’ll need RV insurance
2. If you plan on having your tiny house stay stationary, you’ll need manufactured home insurance
3. If you build your tiny house on your own, you might have difficulty finding insurance
4. Some insurance companies offer specific tiny house insurance policies

When looking for an insurance plan, it's best to do a little bit of research beforehand, so you can be prepared for the types of insurance you'll be presented with. Do you want to shop for homeowners insurance for your tiny home? Enter your ZIP code into our free insurance quote comparison tool below to find the best rates for the coverage you need.

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