- Mobile home insurance, or HO-7, protects homes not built on a permanent foundation.
- Mobile home insurance offers the same coverage you'd find with standard homeowners insurance.
- Mobile home insurance is generally more expensive than traditional homeowners insurance.
Homeowners insurance offers protection for your dwelling and personal belongings. It also offers personal liability coverage and additional living expense coverage if your home becomes inhabitable.
There are eight types of homeowners insurance based on the dwelling type. Mobile home insurance is known as an HO-7 homeowners policy.
What is Mobile Home Insurance?
Mobile home insurance, or HO-7 policy, covers repair and replacement costs for your mobile home and belongings if they're damaged by a covered event, like fire or vandalism.
Mobile homes are transportable housing units that aren't built on permanent foundations.
How Mobile Home Insurance Differs from Standard Homeowners Insurance
Though mobile home insurance offers much of the same coverage as standard homeowners insurance, it's designed specifically for the unique risks of mobile homes. And since mobile homes are riskier to insure, mobile home insurance policies are generally more expensive than standard homeowners insurance.
Why Mobile Homes Require Special Insurance
Manufactured homes are lighter, often use different construction materials, and may not be anchored to a permanent foundation. This means they're much more susceptible to damage in the event of an accident or natural disaster. Plus, mobile and manufactured homes generally don't qualify for standard homeowners insurance, so you'll need a separate policy to stay protected.
Do You Need Mobile Home Insurance?
If you took out a mortgage to finance your mobile home, your lender will typically ask you to buy mobile home insurance. But even if you paid in cash, you'll still want to consider investing in mobile home insurance to protect your property against costly damages or lawsuits.
What Does Mobile Home Insurance Cover?
Several types of coverages come with your mobile home insurance:
Dwelling Coverage for Mobile Homes
Covers the cost to repair or rebuild your home. Mobile homes have open peril coverage for the home and other structures under dwelling coverage. An open peril policy covers damages to your home, even if not explicitly stated in the policy.
Personal Property Protection
This protects your personal belongings and home furnishings. It covers damage and loss due to theft, fire, lightning, hail, and vandalism.
Liability Coverage
This type of coverage will protect you if someone gets injured on your property or sues you for damage to their property.
Loss of Use Coverage
This coverage will help you with expenses if your mobile house becomes temporarily uninhabitable.
What Is Not Covered by Mobile Home Insurance?
There are some limits to your mobile home insurance coverage.
Common Exclusions Like Floods and Earthquakes
Standard mobile home policies generally don't cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes. You'll need to buy separate policies to protect your home against these risks.
When You Need Additional Coverage or Riders
For example, if you live in an earthquake-prone area or own high-value personal items like expensive jewelry or collectibles, your standard personal property coverage likely won't be enough. In that case, you can buy additional coverage or riders to increase your limits.
How to Fill Coverage Gaps with Specialty Policies
You can buy additional policies or endorsements to fill in the gaps in your insurance coverage. For example:
- Flood Insurance: Offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers.
- Earthquake Insurance: Typically added as a rider or purchased separately.
- Extended Liability Coverage: Also known as umbrella insurance, it provides extra protection beyond your standard liability limits.
How Much Does Mobile Home Insurance Cost?
Mobile home insurance can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,500 annually. according to Insure.com.
Factors That Affect Your Premium
The factors that affect your premium include:
- Location
- Home age and condition
- Size and value of the home
- Coverage limits and deductibles
- Safety features or renovations
- Your claims history
How Location and Home Age Impact Insurance Rates
Mobile homes located in coastal areas typically have higher premiums. And if it's located in weather zones or disaster-prone areas, you'll face increased premiums as well because these events need add-on riders. Older homes may also be more expensive to insure due to outdated wiring or structural issues.
Ways to Save on Mobile Home Insurance
You can cut down the amount you spend on mobile home insurance by installing safety features like smoke detectors or alarm systems to reduce the risk of damage or theft. You could also choose a higher deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in) to decrease your premium.
Don't forget to ask your insurer about any available discounts. Some insurance companies may offer multi-policy discounts if you bundle your policy with auto or other types of insurance.
Best Mobile Home Insurance Companies
Here are some top-rated insurance providers that offer mobile home coverage.
Top-Rated Providers for Mobile Home Coverage
- GEICO (offers online quotes)
- Allstate
- Foremost (offers online quotes)
- Progressive
- Farmers
- Liberty Mutual
- American Family
- State Farm
Choosing the Right Insurance Provider for Your Needs
To find the right insurance provider for your needs, make sure to compare at least three different policies side by side. Look at each policy's coverage limits, deductibles, and any optional add-ons. You'll also want to read online reviews and third-party ratings to get a sense of each company's claims process and customer service quality.
How to Get Mobile Home Insurance
Getting mobile home insurance is pretty straightforward. Here's how to get started.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Policy
- Figure out your needs. First, you'll want to figure out what kind of coverage you need, taking into account the value of your home and any additional risks you might want to cover.
- Compare insurers. Once you know what you're looking for, you can start shopping around and compare quotes from different providers, especially those who specialize in mobile homes.
- Get quotes. After narrowing down your options, request a personalized quote from the insurer by giving them details about your home.
What Information You Need for a Quote
When you obtain a quote for mobile home insurance, you usually need to provide details about your home's age, location, and value to get a quote. You may also need to provide information about yourself, like your age.
Questions to Ask When Buying Mobile Home Insurance
Before buying mobile home insurance, be sure to ask questions so you fully understand your coverage. Here's a list of questions to ask the insurer:
- What exactly does the policy cover?
- Are there any exclusions I should be aware of?
- Are there any discounts available?
- What's the process for filing a claim, and how long does it take?
- How will my premiums change if I make a claim or update coverage?
Get Mobile Home Insurance Quotes
FAQs
What is mobile home insurance?
Mobile home insurance is a policy that protects manufactured homes from damage, theft, and liability risks.
How much does mobile home insurance cost?
Mobile home insurance costs vary based on location, home value, and coverage but typically range from $700 to $1,500 per year.
Does mobile home insurance cover hurricanes and tornadoes?
Standard mobile home insurance policies may exclude hurricane and tornado damage, so you may need additional coverage in high-risk areas.
Can I get mobile home insurance if my home is older?
Yes. You can get mobile home insurance if your home is older. But just know that older mobile homes may have higher premiums or require inspections to qualify for coverage.
How do I find the best mobile home insurance?
To find the best mobile home insurance, you'll want to compare quotes from multiple insurers, check customer reviews, and ensure the policy covers your specific risks.
