Mobile home insurance works like traditional homeowners insurance because it covers both the home and its contents. However, there may be a few exceptions, because of the “mobility” of the home.
In this article, we cover the basic coverages offered by mobile home insurance policies. If you own one of these homes or intend to, you need to read to the end. Therein lies the ideas you need to know on how the policy works.
Does a Mobile Home Need Insurance?
Yes, mobile home needs to be insured, even though it is “mobile.” By design, this type of home is moveable because of the attachment of wheels.
The insurance policy covers repairing the home if it is damaged. It also covers the cost of replacing the home or the belongings inside it.
But, Is Mobile Home Insurance Required?
Mobile home insurance is not required by laws in most states. It is because the home is not deemed a “property,” as it does not follow the traditional home construction process.
But as a mobile homeowner, it is best to get the coverage to protect both the home and the contents. If it rains drastically, the home may be submerged. Likewise, if your home is struck by lightning, you may be unable to pay for its replacement.
By insuring it, you have the chance of spending less on repairing or fixing the home back to its old self.
Can a Mobile Home be Insured?
A mobile home is insured across different facets. Here are some of the common mobile home insurance policy coverages:
1. Physical Structures
The physical structures of a mobile home are covered. It refers to the structures that can be seen. Also, these structures are only susceptible to claims when they are damaged by a covered loss.
For example, you can file a claim if physical damages are made to the building because of hailstones or fire outbreaks. Vandalism of the home and theft of its contents are also insured with the policy.
2. Mobile Home Insurance Covers Personal Liability
Personal liability refers to “liability brought upon oneself.” This can either be done intentionally or by accident. But the liability covers you and the insurance company pays for the expenses.
By covering your liability, mobile home insurance covers the costs of damages you are legally responsible for. This includes damages to someone else’s property or bodily injury to a third party.
3. Coverage for Additional Structures
Mobile home insurance also provides coverage for detached or additional structures. Patios, fences, garages, and sheds are covered with this.
The condition for the coverage is that these additional structures must be on the same lot as the mobile home.
4. Additional Living Expenses
Additional living expenses are also called Loss of Use. It is a home insurancetermused to describe the additional costs of living outside the mobile home.
This is warranted when you lose access to the home, temporary. That could be because of an important renovation or any other relevant changes in the home.
You need to seek temporal residence pending when the renovations or upgrades to the home are made.
The mobile home insurance company pays you the additional living expenses so you can get a place to stay. The amount paid may also cover the cost of certain meals throughout your temporal stay outside the mobile home.
5. Personal Properties
Personal properties or belongings are also covered by the policy. The coverage is open for a claim only if these properties are stolen or damaged.
6. Medical Payments to Third-Parties
Did you cause bodily injury to someone on your mobile home? Whether you caused it intentionally or not, the person has to be treated.
With your mobile home insurance policy, the affected person’s medical bills will be settled.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Mobile Homes?
Traditional homeowner’s insurance and mobile home insurance have some similarities. They both cover the cost of repairing the building and insures personal belongings. However, there are a few exceptions.
Your mobile home insurance doesn’t cover in-transit accidents. How doesn’t mobile home insurance work in this case? The policy only covers the home after it has been placed on the lot.
During transit, any damages to the building may not be covered by the policy provider.
You may want to choose a location that isn’t susceptible to flood because the policy doesn’t cover that either. But if you happen to be in a flooded lot, purchase a flood insurance policy separately.
Other damages that may not be covered in a mobile home insurance policy are:
- Damages are caused by insects and rodents.
- Water damage from either drain backups or sewers.
- Contamination and deterioration.
Additional Coverages to Get for Your Mobile Home
Another aspect of how mobile home insurance works is the inclusion of additional coverages. Typically, some coverages are not offered with the main insurance policy. By purchasing them separately, your home’s coverage will be all-encompassing.
Let’s look at some of the common coverages you can add to the main home insurance policy:
1. Emergency Protection
This coverage is needed if the mobile home is damaged or gets into an accident during transit.
2. Fraudulent Financial Transactions
Fraudulent financial transactions emanating from theft or loss of credit cards and burglary are covered. The mobile home insurance company can reimburse you the amount of money lost due to such transactions.
3. Food Spoilage
You can insure your food so that if a power outage causes it to spoil, you will be reimbursed.
4. Landscaping Protection
Protect your landscape, including lawns and trees.
5. Uncovered Debris
Find out if the debris in your home is covered with the mobile home insurance policy. If it is not, purchase a different coverage.
This helps you to get reimbursements for damages caused by the debris in your home.
Conclusion
Do mobile homes have homeowner’s insurance? No, they are two different insurance policies, but the mobile home must be insured. The insurance policy covers the structure of the home and that of your belongings. In the event of a theft or damage caused by covered perils, your loss will be reimbursed. Get started today by contacting some of the best mobile home insurance providers!
