Older mobile home insurance: What you need to know

Can you get homeowners insurance on an older mobile home?

Yes, older mobile home insurance is available, although it might be harder to find. There are many specialty companies that provide insurance for older mobile homes, however, and can help you get the coverage you need.

What companies insure older mobile homes?

Not all companies offer home insurance for older homes, making it harder to find the right provider.

These are some of the insurance companies that insure older mobile homes:

• Allstate. One of the biggest home insurers in the country, Allstate offers a 5% discount if you’re the original titleholder of your mobile home.
• American Family. American Family offers a Diminishing Deductible program to give you graduated savings over time.
• American Modern. A specialty company, American Modern has been insuring mobile homes for more than 50 years.
• Assurant. Assurant partners with large insurance companies like Geico and Liberty Mutual to offer easy home and auto insurance bundles.
• Foremost. A subsidiary of Farmers Insurance Group, this company specializes in mobile homes and other specialty home insurance policies.
• State Farm. State Farm offers discounts based on the age and year of your mobile home – as well as a discount for a security system.

Why do you need insurance on an older mobile home?

If you live in an older mobile home that doesn't have a high value and doesn't have a mortgage, you aren't required to have insurance. However, if you can't afford to replace your mobile home if something happens to it, you need insurance.

What does older mobile home insurance cover?

Mobile home coverage is similar to other homeowners insurance policies and includes the same basic coverages.

• Dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage protects the mobile home itself and anything attached to it, like a deck. The recommended amount of coverage for an older mobile home insurance policy is $30,000 for a single-unit mobile home or $45,000 for a double-wide mobile home. However, this will depend on the value of your home.
• Personal property coverage. This covers all of your personal property, from your furniture to your towels. This is calculated as a percentage of the dwelling coverage, usually 50%.
• Personal liability coverage. This kicks in when you are negligent or at fault for injuries to another person or damage to their property. Limits range from $100,000 up to $500,000.
• Additional living expenses (ALE) or loss-of-use. If you cannot live in your home due to covered damages, your additional living expenses, or loss-of-use coverage, will pay for living expenses such as a hotel.

You can also purchase specialty coverage just for mobile homes, including trip collision coverage that protects you when the mobile home is being moved.

What’s not covered by mobile home insurance?

There are some types of coverage that are not included in a standard mobile home insurance policy. Homeowners insurance excludes floods. If you’re buying mobile home insurance in Florida, Texas or Louisiana, you may want to consider adding flood insurance.

Other types of endorsements for older mobile homes include earthquake insurance, scheduled personal property for high-value possessions, and even identity theft coverage.

How to get insurance on an older mobile home

Before you buy insurance for your mobile home, be prepared. Do your research, know what coverage you need and then shop around for the best price.

1. Determine how much your older mobile home is worth. You can use J.D. Power’s NADA guide to find this amount.
2. Create a home inventory of your belongings to determine how much you need in personal property coverage.
3. Inquire about additional endorsements that you can add to your policy to provide the right amount of coverage for your older mobile home.
4. Check the deductible to see how much you will have to pay out of pocket when you file a claim.

Finally, make sure you receive and compare quotes from multiple companies. Compare both coverage and pricing to see which home insurance company offers the best deal for your older mobile home insurance policy.

Finding older mobile home insurance in Florida and other areas at high risk for hurricanes or tornadoes can be difficult, as mobile homes don't easily withstand severe weather. It's best to discuss your needs with a local agent for advice if you're having trouble getting insurance.

How much does older mobile home insurance cost?

The average cost of mobile home insurance typically ranges from $700 and $1,500 each year, according to Trusted Choice data. However, individual costs vary depending on coverage needs and where you live. For example, coverage will likely be more expensive in states like Florida, where severe weather events are common.

Because homeowners insurance for older mobile homes depends on so many different factors, it's best to get mobile home insurance quotes personalized to your home.

Before pricing insurance coverage for an older mobile home, insurance companies will consider several rate factors, such as your home's age and condition, the amount of your deductible, your claims history and the coverage limits you choose. An agent can help you review your options for coverage and pricing for your home so you can be sure to purchase the right policy for you.

How do you reduce the cost of older mobile home insurance?

You can use many of the same tricks to reduce your mobile home insurance rates that work with any insurance policy:

• Adjust coverage levels. You can adjust the amount of coverage you have on your policy to lower costs if necessary. Just be sure your coverage levels are adequate in the event of a claim.
• Improve your credit. Your credit score is part of the calculation of your rates; improving it by making payments on time and reducing debt can lower your rates.
• Increase the deductible. When you raise your deductible, it lowers your rates. You’ll pay more out of pocket if you have a claim, however.

Older mobile home insurance discounts

Discounts are a great way to save money on mobile home insurance. Take a look at some of the common discounts and check to see if you qualify:

• Location. If your older mobile home is located in a mobile home park, you could be eligible for extra savings.
• Safety devices. When you install smart home or security devices, you can earn extra discounts for having a safe home.
• Age. Owners of older mobile homes can earn discounts based on their age, with some providers offering savings for those 50 years or older.
• Continuous coverage. When you maintain uninterrupted coverage on an older mobile home, you could earn additional savings.
• Claims-free. When you do not file a claim within a certain period, your mobile home insurance company could reward you with a cheaper premium due to the lower risk.
• Paperless billing. When you opt for electronic statements, many insurance companies will reward you for doing your part for the environment with a discount.

Other discounts that may be available include savings for bundling policies, non-smokers, a new roof, auto-pay, and AARP/AAA members.

What to do if your old mobile home insurance application is denied

If your application for insurance on a mobile home is denied, the first thing you should do is find out why. Possible reasons include:

• The home doesn't meet the company's standards for insurance
• The home is located in a high-risk area
• The home is in need of repairs
• Past claims on your record

Once you know the reason, you'll have a better idea of what to do. If the home needs some repairs, you can complete them and then ask for the application to be reconsidered.

Otherwise, you will need to keep shopping around to find an insurance company that will accept your home. As a last resort, you may need to contact your state's FAIR plan.

How are older mobile homes different from newer ones?

Before you buy mobile home insurance, it’s important to understand how mobile homes and manufactured homes are handled in the insurance realm.

Mobile homes are commonly defined as properties built before 1976. Any properties designed after 1976 are considered manufactured homes, even if they are similar in design and size to older mobile homes. This is because mobile homes were not regulated until 1976, when the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created building standards under the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (MHCSS).

After that, homes built in compliance with MHCSS were called manufactured homes. If you own an older mobile home, you will need mobile home insurance, not manufactured home insurance.

What is the oldest mobile home that can be insured?

There's no specific age at which a mobile home becomes uninsurable. It depends on the company and the condition of the mobile home.

Helpful home insurance tools and calculators

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• Renters insurance calculator
• When to file a home insurance claim