Mobile home insurance is essential to protect your home from risks that standard homeowners policies may not cover.

This guide explains insurance companies for mobile homes, including companies that insure mobile homes and what to look for in the best insurance company for mobile homes. (Read More: Top Ranked Insurance Companies)

You’ll also learn about mobile home liability insurance, the process for insuring mobile homes, and what it takes for an insurance company to total a mobile home.

Compare quotes from the cheapest home insurance companies by entering your ZIP code into our free tool above.

What You Should Know

• Mobile home insurance covers the structure, personal property, and liability
• Insurance costs vary based on factors like home size, age, location, and foundation type
• Bundling policies, improving security, and maintenance can help reduce premiums

Mobile Homes vs. Manufactured Homes vs. Modular Homes

There are key differences between mobile, manufactured, and modular homes. Unlike single-family detached houses that are constructed on-site, both manufactured homes and modular homes are constructed in factories and then transported to a home site.

Modular homes are typically delivered in segments and then are assembled at the site on a permanent foundation. They can be single-story or multiple stories, and are constructed with either a basement or crawlspace.

Given how mobile homes are constructed and secured, they are more vulnerable to weather-related damage, making it critical to find the best coverage.

Manufactured homes and modular homes must conform to different sets of standards or building codes. While manufactured homes are governed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for things such as fire safety, design, and construction, modular homes follow the building codes of the jurisdiction in which they are constructed.

This means the same building codes that apply to a house being built in a town, apply to a modular home that is assembled there. (Learn More: 4 Things To Know About Tiny House Insurance)

The differences between mobile and manufactured homes are a bit less distinct. Some use the terms interchangeably to indicate housing that is constructed at a factory and then delivered completed to the home site.

Others note differences between the two, such as how the homes are secured, to draw a distinction between the types. A home mortgage lender lists these factors as distinctions that are used when they consider loans:

• How The Home Is Secured: Manufactured homes are secured to a concrete foundation or slab, while a mobile home setup uses tie-downs;
• Home Site Status: A manufactured house must be on land owned by the homeowner versus a mobile home leasing space in a development;
• The Date of Manufacture: HUD developed codes in 1976 for construction and safety that manufacturers must meet. Homes constructed prior to 1976 are categorized as “mobile homes,” while anything after 1976 is considered a “manufactured home.” Both refer to homes constructed at a factory and delivered to a home site “in one or more sections on a permanent chassis.”

Because the 1976 construction and safety codes were an important part of improving reliability in construction, those in the manufactured housing industry do not use the term “mobile homes".

It is viewed as a phrase associated with the lower, less rigorous standards of an earlier era. However, the term persists in common vernacular — when people say “mobile” they are typically referring to manufactured housing.

The most important thing to take away is that because the construction, transportation to site, and foundation/securing are different, manufactured homes and modular homes are treated differently when it comes to insurance.

Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about insurance on mobile homes, and how to find the right insurance for mobile homes coverage.

What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover

As mentioned in our practical guide for understanding homeowners insurance, mobile/manufactured homes are dwellings, and mobile home insurance covers many of the things you’d expect from a homeowners insurance policy.

• Physical Structure: Similar to standard homeowners insurance, your mobile home insurance will usually cover your dwelling from physical damage caused by a named/covered peril. Fire, lightning, or hail damage, are examples of the types of things that are typically covered.

Read your policy closely. Mobile home properties are more susceptible to a total loss in the event of a fire. If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, a mobile home policy might exclude fire damage.

• Additional Covered Structures: Decks or patios that are attached, detached garages and sheds, and similar items are likely covered. As always, you should read your policy closely to see what it covers.
• Contents/Personal Property: Similar to a standard homeowners insurance policy, your belongings will likely be covered if they are stolen or damaged in a fire or other covered peril.
• Liability: Also similar to standard homeowners insurance, if you are taken to court because either someone has hurt themselves on your property or you damage someone else’s property, your mobile home insurance liability coverage may cover you.

Do some shopping around, and remember that if you’re willing to accept a higher deductible, that could lower your annual premium cost. (Learn More: What Is An Insurance Deductible)

What is mobile home insurance? It usually covers the physical structure itself, your personal property, and liability coverage.

What Is Not Covered Under Mobile Home Insurance

While it can vary based on your policy and insurance company, there are common things that aren’t covered.

As with standard homeowners insurance, flood damage is almost never covered. This includes flooding that occurs during a covered event, such as a hurricane that causes river levels to rise.

Insurance companies typically don’t cover water damage caused by a natural disaster with a standard mobile home insurance policy. You need to know how to get flood insurance for those types of losses to be covered.

If you are considering leasing a space for a manufactured home, check flood plain maps to see if it’s near any streams or rivers. Consider purchasing flood insurance when you get insurance on a mobile home if there’s any chance flooding could be an issue.

Earthquake insurance coverage is also rarely included in a basic policy for mobile home insurance. It’s additional coverage you would need to purchase on top of your mobile home insurance policy.

Read More: What Is Earthquake Insurance and Do I Need It

Mobile home insurance coverage doesn’t typically cover the home during transit. If you decide to move your home to another location, call your insurer well before the move.

They may offer temporary insurance that will cover your home while it is being transported to its new location. The cost of this additional coverage will depend on a number of factors including how far it will be transported and to where.

Other Things to Know About Mobile Home Insurance

Because there are so many additional factors involved in insuring a mobile home, few companies provide online quotes so you.

There are a number of factors that affect the cost of mobile home insurance, including the home’s size, its manufacturing date, how it’s secured, its location, and whether the property on which it will sit is owned or leased.

Since providing a quote for mobile home insurance can be complicated, many insurers require that you speak to a representative before providing you a quote.

Due to their vulnerability to weather events, a mobile home insurance policy might seem a bit on the pricey side, relative to what a standard homeowners insurance policy would cost for a single-family home of similar value. These weather events are one of the reasons why your car & homeowners insurance rates have increased.

You may be able to bundle your mobile home insurance with your car insurance. However, if the insurer who covers your vehicle doesn’t offer mobile home coverage, there are other options out there. There are a number of insurers who specialize in providing mobile home insurance coverage.

Make sure your home is protected by entering your ZIP code into our home insurance comparison tool below today.

The content on this site is offered only as a public service to the web community and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. This site should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an insurance company or an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. You should always consult a suitably qualified attorney regarding any specific legal problem or matter. The comments and opinions expressed on this site are of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the insurance company or any individual attorney.