Older Mobile Home Insurance
- Getting insurance for an older mobile home (pre-1976) can be difficult, but it’s still possible.
- Options include Foremost and American Modern, which specialize in insuring older mobile homes.
Best insurance companies for an older mobile home
Foremost and American Modern may be the best places to start looking for older mobile home insurance. Both specialize in covering mobile homes, including harder-to-insure ones.
Manufactured or mobile homes built before 1976 had fewer regulations, so home insurance companies see them as higher risk. This is especially true if key systems like the roof, wiring or plumbing haven’t been updated.
Foremost
Foremost has been selling mobile home insurance for about 70 years and provides coverage for both mobile and manufactured homes, regardless of age.
Its policies are highly customizable, with options like replacement cost even for some older homes, and flexible settlement methods that can be useful depending on how the home is insured.
American Modern
Providing mobile home insurance since 1965, American Modern covers both mobile and manufactured homes of any age.
It also offers flexible coverage for nonstandard situations, such as rental properties, seasonal homes or vacant mobile homes.
Both companies specialize in insuring older mobile homes. Foremost is a strong choice if you want more customizable coverage options, while American Modern may be a better fit for special situations like vacant or rental properties.
How to get insurance for an older mobile home
The law doesn’t require you to have mobile home insurance. But if you are financing your mobile home or live in a mobile home community, you will probably need it as part of your finance or tenant agreement.
Step 1: Get quotes from specialty insurers
You can get a quote for your mobile home directly from Foremost by phone or online. American Modern operates through independent agents, but you can find one near you on American Modern’s website.
Step 2: Check with other insurers
Other home insurance companies may be able to sell you a mobile home insurance policy. If not, feel free to ask them for recommendations for insuring your older mobile home.
Step 3: Make sure your home meets basic requirements
You may have a better chance of getting approved if:
- The home is well-kept.
- Your home is anchored to a permanent foundation.
- The foundation is properly skirted or otherwise enclosed.
- Any staircases with three or more steps have handrails.
Step 4: Be prepared for replacement cost requirements
If your mobile home is mortgaged, your lender will probably want you to insure it at replacement cost. Replacement cost is the price to replace the home with a new one of equal specifications.
Replacement cost doesn’t take depreciation into account, so be prepared for dwelling coverage on the home to be more than its current market value.
Mobile homes vs. manufactured homes
A mobile home technically refers to a factory-built home made before June 15, 1976.
After that date, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced national construction standards. Homes built to these standards are known as manufactured homes.
You can usually find your home’s age on its data plate, which is required by HUD. It’s often located inside a kitchen cabinet, electrical panel or bedroom closet.
Insurers often view pre-1976 mobile homes as higher risk because they weren’t built to modern safety standards. As a result, they may be more difficult to insure or come with stricter requirements.
Insurance companies vary in how they handle older mobile homes. Some only cover manufactured homes, while others avoid older properties altogether.
Insurers that do cover older mobile homes may require an inspection to confirm that systems like electrical, plumbing, roofing and HVAC are in good condition.
What mobile home insurance covers
Mobile home insurance provides coverage for your home similar to a standard home insurance policy. Mobile home insurance will cover damage to the structure of your home and your personal belongings from certain hazards.
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage protects your home from dangers such as fire, wind and lightning. It also covers your home against burglary and vandalism.
Other structures
External structures on your property, like a detached garage, tool shed or patio, are covered against damage.
External structure coverage limits are usually set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit.
Personal property
Your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, are covered under personal property.
Make sure you have enough coverage for your personal property by creating a home inventory list. This should include pictures of your stuff (as well as serial numbers when possible) and replacement costs of items.
Loss of use (LOU)
Also known as “additional living expenses,” LOU covers extra costs that can occur if you need to relocate while your mobile home is being repaired.
LOU can include rent, restaurant meals, rental furniture, laundry costs and extra commuter costs.
Loss of use only covers expenses above your standard costs of living. For example, if your regular commute costs are $80 a month and temporary relocation increases your commute to $110 a month, LOU will cover the additional $30.
Personal liability
Personal liability covers injuries and property damage costs that you’re responsible for. This coverage is active whether the injury or damage occurs at or away from your mobile home.
If you’re having trouble getting insurance for an older mobile home, you still have a few options:
- Ask agents for referrals to companies that cover older homes.
- Make repairs or updates that could improve your chances of qualifying.
- Consider working with an independent agent who can shop multiple insurers.
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