How to Save on Insurance for a Manufactured Home

The Manufactured Housing Institute, a trade organization for the industry, says many manufactured homes today are located in resort-like communities with features like pools and tennis courts, and that the homes are as safe as traditional-built homes. For example, MHI points to a 2013 National Fire Protection Association report showing that manufactured homes experience up to 44 percent fewer fires than traditional “site-built” homes. In addition, the federal codes, to which manufactured homes must be built, require fire retardant materials and at least two exterior doors for an emergency exit. 

Plus, MHI says manufactured homes perform as well as traditional, or “site-built,” ones during a storm—although the group acknowledges they are more commonly located in areas such as the Midwest or South where tornadoes and other severe storms can occur. They also point out that proper installation and anchoring of a manufactured home can keep it safe in severe weather.

“There are some differences between the construction materials of a manufactured home and a traditional home,” acknowledges Dave Anderson, executive director of the National Manufactured Homeowners Association. 

Another difference: Some manufactured homes may be located in areas with higher risks for theft and vandalism. “But do those differences mean insurance costs would be a little higher? Maybe. But nearly twice as much? I don’t think so,” Anderson says.

One problem for manufactured home insurance buyers could be lack of competition among companies, says Joseph Sullivan, executive director of the Manufactured Home Owners Association of New Jersey, who also sits on a manufactured home advisory committee at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While there are more than a dozen national companies that sell homeowners insurance policies (think Allstate, Farmers, Liberty Mutual, State Farm, USAA, for example), Sullivan points out that there are only a handful of companies that insure manufactured homes, including Allstate, American Modern, Assurant, and Farmers/Foremost. Less competition, Sullivan says, can mean higher rates for the consumer.

“If you go to, say, Geico, you’re going to get a policy through one of these companies,” Sullivan says. Indeed, Geico partners with Assurant, American Modern, and Foremost, among others. 

Case in point: Tami Crandall, in S.D., had dozens of companies to choose from for her homeowners insurance; her daughter and son-in-law had only three.

To start with, yes, you should insure your manufactured home, even though most states don’t require it, says Anderson. For one thing, your bank or manufactured-home community will probably require it. For another, it’s a smart move to protect what is likely your most important asset from unforeseen circumstances. Home insurance also covers your liability if someone else has an accident on your property or in your home, Anderson points out. 

When it’s time to shop around for a policy, consider working with a local independent agent, which can be more efficient than looking for yourself online. Not sure whether an agent is truly independent, or is actually a broker for just one or two companies? Just ask, Crandall says. 

No matter which company you get your insurance from, here are a few tried-and-true suggestions to help you get the best deal. 

Have the highest possible credit score. For nearly any kind of insurance, including manufactured home insurance, having the best possible score you can will help, says Chuck Bell, CR policy analyst who works on credit scores and insurance issues. Although CR advocates think it is unfair and potentially discriminatory to use credit history to set premium rates, for now your best course of action is to review your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, correct any errors you find with the credit bureaus, and deal with any debt collection notices on your report—both of which could easily raise your score once resolved.

Ask about bundling. It’s always worth asking for quotes from insurance companies where you already have a policy, and finding out whether there’s a discount for getting, say, your car and home insurance policies from the same company. You could save 10 to 15 percent, Crandall says. One example: American Family says bundling home and auto policies could save you up to 23 percent.

Consider a higher deductible. Increasing your deductible—the amount you’ll first pay out of pocket before your insurance—from $500 to $1,000 or even $1,500 could save several hundred dollars off your premium. 

Pay the premium in full. Doing so could save between 5 and 15 percent, Crandall says. Also, ask whether using an electronic funds transfer could net you additional savings. Paying via EFT might save you around 3 percent of your monthly or annual premium.

Manufactured homes have a few features and are subject to some requirements that are unique to the structure itself. As you shop around for insurance, ask these questions to see whether you could receive any discounts, which may vary by state. 

1. Are there discounts for security or smart home features? Any measures you take to deter vandalism or theft, such as having a security system or putting up fencing, could help lower your premium, Crandall says. American Family Insurance says it offers discounts for Smart home connections that can alert you to an emergency. Foremost says having a security alarm or central alarm could net you a discount in some states.

“Anything that’s going to increase your safety, such as alarms or fencing, typically qualifies for some sort of discount,” says Scott Holeman, spokesperson for the Institute of Insurance Information, an industry research group. 

2. What about safety measures against extreme weather threats or fire? Crandall says to also mention to your broker whether you’ve installed fire or CO2 alarms or fire extinguishers, secured the home down with anchoring ties, or taken other steps such as installing heat tape around exposed pipes to avoid pipes bursting during cold weather. These may be required steps by the community you live in, and could save you money, Crandall says. 

3. What if you add wind-resistant features? Farmers Insurance says storm shutters and other hurricane-resistant components could net you a discount, which can vary by state. But in some states, like Florida, investing in wind-resistant shingles, carport materials, or doors might be required by the manufactured home community you live in, says Russell Watson, vice president for the southeast region for the National Manufactured Homeowners Association, and who runs a manufacturing home education program and sits on a HUD advisory committee. These can not only protect your property but also help you avoid damaging a neighbor’s home. Required or not, if you’ve taken these steps, mention it to your insurance agent in case a discount is available. 

4. What if the home is situated in a "park" community? These are communities for manufactured homes that generally have on-site management and provide maintenance. Although the amount may vary by state, insurers may provide discounts for homes in such places. If your home is located in one, you could save around 5 percent off your premium.

5. Is there a discount for being the original owner, or being over the age of 55? Although not every insurer will offer these discounts, Allstate says it provides up to a 5 percent discount every year off your premium if you are the original title holder and up to 10 percent if you’re over age 55.

6. Is there a discount for a newer manufactured home? American Family Insurance, for example, says it offers discounts to homes that are less than four years old. Foremost says it offers discounts in most states for newer homes and sometimes even for homes older than five years.

7. Are there any price breaks for going multiple years without a claim? If you haven’t made a claim on a policy you’ve had for several years, ask whether you can get a discount. But if you’re shopping for a new policy, and have made claims in the past, don’t try to hide that information, Crandall says. Insurers use a central database lookup tool that tracks all consumer claims for up to about five years. So be honest when filling out your application forms or you may appear to be a potentially unreliable client. 

Bonus: Are you, your spouse, or your parent a veteran? Join USAA for access to manufactured home insurance. Good to know: You can be divorced from a USAA member and not yet remarried, or widowed, and still be eligible for all USAA benefits (not just insurance).