Mobile home insurance in Florida

How much you pay for mobile home insurance in Florida will depend on several factors, including:

• Your mobile home’s replacement cost

• Location, down to the ZIP code

• Age and condition of your home

• Policy limits and deductibles

• Policy add-ons or endorsements

The cost of coverage can vary significantly depending on your coverage needs and unique property risks. The best way to determine how much it costs to insure your property is to get a mobile home insurance quote. 

A standard mobile home insurance policy in Florida includes various types of coverage: 

• Dwelling. You should have at least enough dwelling coverage to replace or rebuild your home if it is destroyed after a covered peril. 

• Personal property. Generally, your personal property coverage limit should be at least 50% of your total dwelling coverage amount. However, you may need more or less depending on the combined value of your belongings. 

• Other structures. This part of your policy will help cover the cost to repair or replace other structures on your property, such as a detached garage or shed. Coverage limits are usually at least 10% of your dwelling coverage. You may need more or less, depending on the structures on your property. 

• Personal liability. Liability coverage protects you against legal costs arising from injuries or property damage that occur in or around your property. Insurers often recommend having at least $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage.

• Medical payments. Insurance will usually cover medical bills for someone who gets injured on your property, with limits generally between $1,000 and $5,000.

• Loss of use. This coverage will pay for living expenses when you have to move out of your mobile home while it undergoes repairs. A good rule of thumb is to get loss of use coverage for at least 20% of your dwelling limit. 

Mobile home insurance policies in Florida generally won’t cover the following types of losses: 

• Earthquake damage. To get coverage for earthquakes, you need to purchase a standalone policy or add an endorsement to your existing mobile home insurance. 

• Flood damage. To get coverage for losses caused by outside flooding, you need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy or add an endorsement to your mobile home insurance policy. 

• Normal wear and tear. Your mobile home is not covered for damages that occur as a natural result of normal wear and tear or the homeowner’s failure to perform preventative maintenance. 

• In-transit damages. If your mobile home gets damaged while in transit from one location to another, you won’t get covered unless you have an in-transit endorsement on your policy. 

• Flood insurance. Standard mobile home policies don’t cover flood damage, such as that caused by storm surges or overflowing lakes and rivers. Add a flood endorsement to your existing coverage or purchase a separate flood insurance policy, especially if your property is in a flood zone. 

• Sinkholes insurance. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, sinkholes are a common risk in the state. Sinkhole insurance can provide financial protection for resulting losses. 

• Personal property replacement cost coverage. Mobile home insurance policies generally include actual cash value coverage for personal property. That means personal property claims are paid out based on the depreciated value of the affected items. For more robust coverage, consider replacement cost coverage. 

• Trip/transportation coverage. An in-transit endorsement for your mobile home insurance can help protect your home when you move it somewhere else. 

• Water backup coverage. Sewer backups and sump pump malfunctions can lead to water damage, but it’s not typically covered by a standard policy. Consider adding a water backup insurance endorsement to cover this type of damage.  

Mobile homes built after 1976 are technically called “manufactured homes,” not mobile homes. That’s because they adhere to the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, which makes them safer and more durable. As a result, Kin can’t offer coverage for mobile homes built prior to 1976. These homes may have a tough time getting insured without adherence to federal building codes. 

Florida does not require that mobile home owners get insurance. But your mortgage lender may require home insurance, and the mobile home park or community where you reside may also require it as a condition of your property lease. Whether you’re required to buy mobile home insurance or not, it’s a good idea to have coverage to protect yourself against financial losses.