If you read carefully over some of the internet ads promoting insurance policies, you’re bound to come across a sly disclaimer statement such as “while no insurance policy covers everything… blah, blah, blah” Now I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a hint that I may want to read over the fine print very carefully before making my insurance decision. This is especially true when it comes to mobile home insurance. Although mobile home policies can offer you quality protection against many unfortunate events, some of these policies are a little less “comprehensive” than they claim to be. Let’s take a look.

What Exactly Is Covered with a Standard Mobile Home Insurance Policy?

The standard mobile home insurance policy, regardless of the insurer, covers many of the same eventualities you’d find in a homeowner’s policy. These include:

• Fire and explosions
• Vandalism and theft
• Wind and rain
• The weight of snow or ice
• Falling objects
• Water pipes bursting
• And a few more

Liability coverage is also standard, although the amount of liability insurance you choose to carry will directly affect your premiums. Liability coverage protects you in the event of an accident in your mobile home and could cover things like medical payments, legal costs and loss of wages for the person injured.

Mobile Home Insurance: Is this Covered?

If you’ve continued to read on we applaud you. Many people fail to find out what’s not covered in their mobile home insurance policy until it’s too late. Here are a few key items to ask your agent about to make sure you are getting the right policy for you. Many of these items are not initially covered and require an additional policy on top of your so-called comprehensive coverage:

• Trip coverage when moving your home. They call it “mobile home” insurance, but what many of these insurance companies fail to tell you is that you’ll have to pay more for protection if you actually want to be “mobile” at any time.
• Flood Insurance. Damage from floods or underground water is NEVER covered with a standard policy. For that you’ll need additional coverage.
• Replacement Cost Personal Property and Structure Coverage. The standard mobile home policy will be based on the actual cash value of your home and belongings at the time of the claim. If you want to have a policy in which the insurance company reimburses you enough to buy a replacement home or new property, you’ll have to pay extra.
• Earthquake Coverage. Coverage protecting you from Mother Nature’s version of “shake, rattle and roll” will require a separate policy.

While most major insurers offer mobile home insurance policies, these policies are in no way created equal. Shop around to find the best coverage and rates for your particular situation and make sure you know what you’re getting into before signing on the dotted line.