Older Mobile Home Insurance (2024)
Getting a home insurance policy for an older mobile home can be difficult. Mobile homes built before the middle of 1976 didn’t have regulation standards, so home insurance companies see them as higher risk.
If you need older mobile home insurance, Foremost and American Modern may be worth considering.
Best insurance companies for an older mobile home
If you have an older mobile home, not every insurer will have a suitable policy for you. Foremost and American Modern are specialty insurance companies that offer great coverage for mobile homes.
Foremost
Foremost has been selling mobile home insurance for over 70 years and provides coverage for both mobile and manufactured homes, regardless of age.
Foremost has customizable coverage for mobile-home owners that includes replacement cost upgrades and mold coverage.
American Modern
Providing mobile home insurance since 1965, American Modern covers both mobile and manufactured homes of any age.
American Modern also covers mobile and manufactured homes if they’re rental properties, seasonal homes or vacant.
Mobile homes vs. manufactured homes
The term “mobile home” refers to a pre-manufactured home built before 1976.
Beginning on June 15, 1976, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforced the National Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards Act. This act provided national construction standards that pre-manufactured homes had to be built to.
Mobile homes built after June 15, 1976 are actually referred to as “manufactured homes”.
Insurers view mobile homes (the ones from before June 1976) as a claim risk due to their lack of regulation. They are also often viewed as being at higher risk for fire or extreme weather damage than manufactured homes.
How home insurance companies approach pre-manufactured homes is a mixed bag. Some insurers will only cover manufactured homes. Other companies avoid both mobile and manufactured homes altogether.
Home insurance companies that do cover older mobile homes often require an inspection to prove the home’s electrical, plumbing, roof and HVAC are well-kept.
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 damages to the structure of your home and your personal belongings from certain hazards.
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage protects your home from perils such as fire, wind and lightning. It also covers your home against burglary and vandalism.
Other structures
External structures on your property, such as a detached garage, toolshed or patio, are covered against damage.
External structure coverage limits are often a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit.
Personal property
Your belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics, are covered under personal property.
In order to get adequate coverage for your personal property, create 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 due to temporary relocation while your mobile home is being repaired.
LOU can include rent, restaurant meals, rental furniture, laundry costs, and extra commuter costs.
But note that 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.
How to get insurance for an older mobile home
You are not required by law 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.
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.
Other home insurance providers may be able to sell you a mobile home insurance policy. If not, feel free to ask them for recommendations for insurers that will give you a quote for insuring your older mobile home.
You have the best chances of getting a policy for your mobile home if:
- It is well-kept
- It is properly anchored
- The foundation is properly skirted or otherwise enclosed
- Any staircases with three or more steps have handrails
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 does not take depreciation into account, so be prepared for dwelling coverage on the home to be more than its current market value.