Mobile home insurance is quite different from the standard insurance one would purchase for a traditional house. This is because of the difference in material, design, function, and overall structure, and the difference in cost between a traditional and manufactured home.
Below, we discuss all there is to know about how much you can expect to pay for manufactured home insurance and what inclusions you can choose.
What does the standard package for mobile home insurance cover?
The standard packages for mobile homeowners insurance can vary on the company. It depends mostly on your location, the vulnerabilities within your area, and the capabilities of the insurance company.
With that said, the standard packages for a mobile home insurance policy would mostly include the following:
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage is designed to protect the main structure of your property together with other permanent structures that you own, which could include the deck, garage, or shed. Dwelling coverage typically refers to physical damage caused by accidents, fire, windstorms, and the like.
Personal property coverage
Personal property coverage is designed to protect your personal belongings located within your dwellings in the instance of theft or physical damage.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage is designed to protect you from situations wherein another individual gets injured on your property and claims that you are liable for it. This typically includes all sorts of legal fees and medical costs that are within your coverage limits.
Loss of Use / Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
Loss of Use or Additional Living Expenses only applies when your dwelling has incurred damages that require you to live elsewhere for a brief period of time. This may include the cost of hotel rooms, rental fees, and restaurant meals.
What does the standard package for mobile home insurance usually not cover?
More often than not, the standard package for mobile home insurance does not cover Peril Policies and In Transit Damage. However, you may opt to purchase these as add-ons or as a separate policy.
Peril Policies
Peril policies are designed to protect your mobile home from specific events such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other types of events not included within your standard package.
In Transit Damage
In Transit Damage covers the cost of repair or replacement for damages incurred while transporting your manufactured home. There are some insurance companies who offer these as a temporary add-on, which you can opt for to save.
Can you purchase insurance for older mobile homes?
Yes, you can! It is important to note, however, that older mobile homes are typically more expensive to insure. Especially if the manufactured home you own was produced before the 1976 HUB code took effect.
How much does mobile home insurance cost?
Mobile homes may be cheaper to purchase, but they are generally more expensive to insure when compared to traditional houses. This is because mobile homes are more vulnerable to damage, theft, natural disasters and the like due to their structure.
On average, across varying states, mobile home insurance will typically cost around $300 to $1,000 annually. This could still drastically go up based on your location, preferences, and other factors your insurance provider deems important.
Before settling with any insurance carrier, we recommend getting multiple quotes and important information from multiple mobile home insurance companies to ensure that the one you invest in best serves your needs within the budget you can comfortably afford.
Lastly, some providers offer discounted rates that you may qualify for. Inquire ahead of time to maximize your premium. The most common kinds include:
- Bundling more than one insurance policy together, such as home and automobile policies.
- Discounts for existing safety features
- Discounts for newly manufactured homes
- Discounts for automatic payments
- Discounts for original titleholder
- Discounts for individuals aged at least 55 years and are retired
Mobile home insurance cost factors
The main factors that typically influence the cost of your mobile home insurance include:
Personal Factors
- Your location determines your home’s vulnerability to natural disasters, crime, and it also factors in if you are close enough to the fire department and police stations.
- Your claims history determines your eligibility and the cost of your premiums, based on whether or not you have filed in the past.
- Your insurance score considers your credit history and outstanding debt to assess if you are eligible to purchase insurance at the premium price you require.
Mobile Home Factors
- Age and condition are considered since older manufactured homes are more vulnerable to damage.
- Floor plans determine just how much area needs coverage, and can substantially add or lessen your premium
- Safety features installed in your home make it more self-insured and can lower your premium.
Coverage Factors
- Coverage amount since your premium will be higher the more value you need protected.
- Deductible levels as accepting a higher deductible will essentially lower premium prices.
- Replacement costs will make the premiums go higher if your manufactured home is on the expensive side.
Where Can You Buy Mobile Home Insurance?
Finding good home insurance, in general, is not difficult as there are many insurance companies that cover most if not all the states. A lot of these insurance companies also offer policies for mobile homes, but finding one that provides ample coverage may take a little more work.
The first place to look is where you bought your other types of insurance, or if your colleagues have recommendations. It is always a safer bet when you or someone you know has personal experience with the company. Moreover, if you opt for the company you purchased other policies with, you may even be entitled to discounts.
However, this does not mean you should settle without comparing. Always get quotes from multiple mobile home insurance providers to ensure that you get the most out of your investment.
The 3 best mobile home insurance companies
While weighing out feedback from various sources and trusted sites including J.D. Power, The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and A.M. Best Credit Ratings, we have settled on our top 3 best mobile home insurance companies:
Top 1: Allstate
J.D. Power rating: 815/1,000
NAIC complaint index: 1.41 (above average)
A.M. Best financial strength rating: A+
Allstate is one of the best-known insurance companies that offers specialized coverage for mobile homes. They have been in the industry since 1931 and have over 113 million policies currently distributed across the country.
Allstate Discounts
- Original titleholder gets up to 5% discount
- Individuals at least 55 years old and are retied get up to 10% discount
- Mobile homeowners with a home security system in place gets up to 15% discount
- Bundles policies get up to 25% discount
- Automatic payments get up to 5% discount
Allstate Pros
- Policyholders can purchase a Claim Rate Guard add-on, which ensures that the premium does not increase despite making a claim
- Policyholders can purchase coverage add-ons for valuable items such as sports and music equipment
- Available in all 50 states
- Available in mobile app
Allstate Cons
- Limited customer service
- Liability Coverage is capped at $500,00
- Difficult to request digital quotes
Top 2: American Family Insurance
J.D. Power rating: 842/1,000
NAIC complaint index: 0.96 (below average)
A.M. Best financial strength rating: A
American Family Insurance, also known as AmFam, was founded back in 1927 and is known for their good retirement policies. Their service areas are quite limited, but they are able to offer unique endorsements that their competitors often don’t match. In fact, the coverage cost of mobile home insurance with American Family can be as little as $25 per year due to their specialized premiums.
American Family Insurance Pros
- Diminishing Deductible benefit, which lowers your deductible by $100 with every renewed year
- Offers bundles discount rates
American Family insurance Cons
- Available in only 19 states.
- Slow release of claims
Top 3: Progressive
J.D. Power rating: N/A
NAIC complaint index: 1.85 (poor)
A.M. Best financial strength rating: A+
Progressive is one of the largest insurance companies across the United States and is ranked as the #1 commercial auto insurer in the country. While the NAIC complaint index is a little higher, its financial strength and solid policies still make it rank above other providers.
Progressive Pros
- Available on mobile app
- Offers Replacement Cost coverage option
Progressive Cons
- Utilizes underwritten policies from Assurant
You’re All Set!
Knowing all the basics of purchasing mobile home insurance can go a long way. Not only can you rest assured knowing you got the best deal possible, but you can also be glad to know your home is in good hands.
Looking to invest in mobile home insurance? Get a FREE QUOTE for your mobile and manufactured home insurance today by visiting mobilehomesell.com/insurance.
