Expert Reviewed by: Jim Gontjes, CPCU, Head of Product Management – Specialty Lines Property at Foremost
Is manufactured home insurance the right fit for you?
If you’re living in a manufactured or mobile home, you may not be eligible for a standard homeowner’s policy, but you may still want to carry insurance for your peace of mind (or to satisfy lending requirements).
What is Manufactured Home Insurance?
Unlike a standard homeowner’s policy, manufactured home insurance offers specialized coverage to address the unique risks associated with manufactured/mobile home ownership.
Most manufactured homes are built on a chassis, rather than a traditional foundation, which may make them more susceptible to damage from fires or windstorms.
These risks may lead some insurers to charge higher premiums or limit coverage options.
In rare cases, some manufactured homes may qualify for standard homeowner’s coverage – be sure to check with your agent to see if your home might qualify.
What can Manufactured Home Insurance cover?
Many manufactured home policies will provide the following coverage for:
-
Dwelling – the physical structure of the manufactured/mobile home for specified “covered perils” (like fire, wind or hail).
-
Personal property – covers the belongings inside your home, up to a certain limit or on a “scheduled” basis.
-
Liability – protects you from legal or medical expenses if someone is injured on your property.
-
Additional living expenses – pays for you to stay elsewhere if you are temporarily displaced from your home due to a covered event.
-
Customizable coverage – Many policies will offer customizable options to fit your needs and lifestyle.
How does Manufactured Home Insurance Work?
While you’d hope that your home is never damaged, we know that life happens. That’s why it’s important to have insurance.
When you buy insurance, in the insurer provides coverage in specific circumstances known as “covered perils”.
Covered perils can include events such as fire, wind or lightning, but can go on to cover everything from vandalism to tornados, depending on the coverage you choose.
When a damage caused by a covered peril occurs, you make a “claim” with your insurer, and they assess the damages to find out how much the repairs will cost.
You will be responsible to pay a set amount of every claim you make before your insurance coverage kicks in – this amount is known as your “deductible”.
Note: If a claim falls below the deductible amount, insurance will not cover it.
For more about the claims process, check out these tips on how to file a claim: https://www.foremost.com/learning-center/tips-for-effectively-filing-claims.asp
Looking for manufactured or mobile home coverage? Finding a Foremost® Agent near you or call us at 888-244-8092 to help guide you through your insurance experience.
Contact us at First Community Insurance Group, your local Foremost agent. 936-327-4364 Quotes are FREE!
