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?

Companies that offer home insurance for older homes include Allstate, State Farm, Foremost and American Modern, providing options for both major carriers and specialty companies. Many are among the best mobile home insurance companies:

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.

People ask

Do insurance companies offer insurance for older mobile homes in Florida?

Yes, you can get insurance for an older mobile home in Florida. The available companies will depend on where your mobile home is located.

Why do you need insurance on an older mobile home?

You need insurance on an older mobile home to protect your investment in your home, as well as to protect your personal property and provide liability coverage. If you don't have a mortgage on your mobile home, you aren't required to have insurance, but every mobile home owner should have a policy for personal financial protection.

What does older mobile home insurance cover?

Mobile home covers the structure of your mobile home, all of the contents of the home, your personal liability and additional living expenses if you need to live elsewhere due to a covered loss. You can also purchase specialty coverage just for mobile homes, including trip collision coverage that protects you when the mobile home is being moved.

Here's what you can expect in a standard mobile home policy:

Dwelling coverage. Dwelling coverage protects the mobile home itself and anything attached to it, like a deck. The amount of coverage is based 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.

What’s not covered by mobile home insurance?

Mobile home insurance doesn't cover overland flooding, earthquakes, wear and tear, negligence or water and sewer backup. Of these, the first three can be covered with an endorsement or separate policy. Read the exclusions section of your policy to find out what else isn't covered.

Flooding. Homeowners insurance excludes floods, but you can buy separate flood insurance.
Earthquakes. To get coverage for earthquakes, you can add an endorsement or buy a separate policy in some states.
Water and sewer backup. This, too, can be covered with an endorsement.
Wear and tear or negligence. Home insurance doesn't cover damage due to wear and tear or poor maintenance.

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

How to get insurance on an older mobile home

To get insurance for an older mobile home, start by determining how much coverage you need: get the value of your mobile home through the NADA guide and add up the value of your personal property. Then compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal for your needs, including any endorsements you want to add.

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

Save on mobile home insurance by shopping around, adjusting your coverage levels and deductible to meet your budget (be careful not to underinsure), improving your credit and asking about deductibles.

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.
Ask about discounts. You may earn discounts for safety and security measures, upgrades to the home and for bundling policies.
Improve your credit. Your credit score is part of the calculation of your rates in most states; 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

Common discounts on mobile home insurance include location in a park, safety devices, being claims-free and bundling your home and auto together. Some carriers also offer discounts for older homeowners, non-smokers and having no gaps in coverage.

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. Some providers offer discounts to mobile home owners over 50.
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.
Bundling policies. Get a discount for buying your mobile home and car insurance from the same carrier.
Non-smoker. Many carriers offer a discount if you don't smoke, reducing fire risk.

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; reasons include risk in your area or the condition of the home. Then, see what you can do to resolve the issue, such as by completing repairs. If you can't resolve the denial, continue shopping with another carrier. Ask a local agent to help you find coverage.

Some reasons for a policy being declined 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. Options include:

If the home needs some repairs, you can complete them and then ask for the application to be reconsidered
Shop 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?

Older mobile homes are commonly defined as those built before 1976, when mobile home construction was unregulated. After 1976, they 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.