Mobile Home Insurance: What You Need and What You Don’t

By Uncle Zally · May 2026 · 4 min read

Insurance on a mobile home works differently than a regular homeowner’s policy. Some buyers skip it entirely, which is a terrible idea. Others get talked into way more coverage than they need. Both cost you money.

The Two Main Types

HO-7 policy (manufactured home insurance). This is the standard policy for mobile homes. It covers the structure, your personal belongings, liability if someone gets hurt on your property, and additional living expenses if you’re displaced. Think of it as the mobile home version of a regular homeowner’s policy.

Actual cash value vs replacement cost. Big difference here. Actual cash value pays what your home is worth today, including depreciation. Replacement cost pays what it would cost to replace your home with a similar one at current prices. Replacement cost premiums are higher, but if something happens you’ll be glad you have it. A 15 year old mobile home that cost $60,000 new might have an actual cash value of $25,000. Good luck buying a replacement for that.

What It Costs

For a basic policy on a single wide, expect to pay around $700 to $1,500 a year. Double wides run $1,000 to $2,000 or more. Location matters hugely. If you’re in a hurricane zone or tornado alley, premiums go up fast. Florida and Texas are especially pricey for mobile home insurance.

Age of the home affects pricing too. Older homes cost more to insure and some companies wont insure homes older than 20 or 25 years at all. If you’re buying an older mobile home, shop for insurance before you close the deal. Finding out your dream home is uninsurable after you’ve already bought it is not a fun day.

Coverage You Actually Need

Dwelling coverage (the structure itself), personal property coverage (your stuff), and liability coverage (in case someone sues you). Those three are non negotiable. Beyond that, look at:

Wind and hail. Some policies exclude wind damage or make you buy a separate rider. In storm prone states this is a must have. Read the fine print.

Flood insurance. Standard policies never cover flooding. If your home is in a flood zone (or even close to one), you need a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Floods are the number one natural disaster in the US and most people dont find this out until its too late.

Trip collision. Only relevant if you’re moving your home. This covers damage during transport. If you’re buying a home thats already set up, you dont need this.

How to Save Money

Install tie down anchors and skirting. Most insurers give discounts for both. A higher deductible lowers your premium but means you pay more out of pocket if something happens. Bundling with auto insurance usually saves 10 to 15 percent. And if your home has a newer roof, updated electrical, or smoke detectors, mention all of that when getting quotes.

Get quotes from at least three companies. American Family, Foremost, and American Modern are some of the bigger names in manufactured home insurance. But local and regional carriers sometimes beat them on price, especially if your home is newer.