Mobile home insurance in Louisiana

Several factors can affect mobile home insurance rates in Louisiana, including: 

• The home’s replacement cost

• Your ZIP code

• Age and condition of the home

• Policy details, including selected limits and deductibles 

• Any additional coverages or policy endorsements

The best way to get an idea of how much you’ll pay for mobile home insurance in Louisiana is to get a quote. Quotes, including those through Kin, are often available in minutes and can provide an accurate estimate based on your property’s unique features.   

How much coverage you need depends on your property, desired level of protection, and any unique risks associated with your property. However, consider the following as you evaluate your coverage needs. 

• Dwelling coverage. It’s a good idea to cover your home for 100% of the replacement cost, or how much it would cost to rebuild or replace your property if it were destroyed.

• Other structures. Other structure coverage provides financial protection for detached structures on your property, such as sheds or garages. Your limit should cover the replacement cost value of any other covered structures, such as a detached garage. 

• Personal property coverage. Coverage for the belongings in your home is often set at 50% of your dwelling coverage limit. Your policy limit should be high enough to cover the cost to replace your belongings after a total loss. 

• Loss of use coverage. This will pay for necessities, like hotel stays, meals, and laundry services, if your home becomes uninhabitable. Loss of use coverage is typically set to 20% of your dwelling limit.

• Personal liability coverage. Liability coverage provides legal protection in case someone gets injured on your property or someone else’s property gets damaged. Consider getting at least $100,000 to $300,000 in coverage, though you may need more. 

• Medical payments. If someone gets injured on your property, this coverage will pay for medical bills. Medical payment limits typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Mobile home insurance in Louisiana typically does not cover the following:

• Flood damage, including that caused by overflowing bodies of water and storm surges
• Earthquake or sinkhole damage
• Wear and tear
• Damage caused during transit

If you own a mobile home in Louisiana, you may want to consider the following coverages: 

• Flood insurance. Essential if you're in a flood-prone area, as standard policies don't cover flood damage.

• Replacement cost coverage for personal property. Pays to replace your personal belongings with new items, instead of just the depreciated value.

• Trip or transportation protection. Adding an in-transit endorsement to your mobile home insurance can offer coverage while your home is being relocated to a new site.

• Water backup protection. Standard insurance policies usually don’t cover water damage from sewer backups or sump pump failures. Consider a water backup endorsement to help protect against these risks.

Here’s what makes mobile home insurance and traditional home insurance similar: they both cover your structure, your personal belongings, and your personal liability. They’re also both usually “open perils” coverage for your structures, which means they cover any loss unless it's caused by something that’s specifically listed as being excluded from the policy.

But here’s what makes them different: Insurers have found that manufactured homes represent a different risk than traditionally built homes. As a result, mobile home insurance can be more expensive than traditional home insurance.

Note: Modular homes are another type of home altogether. They’re usually built to the same standards as traditional homes, so they’re often insured with an HO-3 home insurance policy.

Yes, for two reasons. First, mobile homes built prior to 1976 may not comply with the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (in fact, if you have a mobile home built after 1976, it’s technically called a “manufactured home” — the name “mobile home” went away with the introduction of that regulation). Secondly, not having a foundation increases the risk of suffering major damage.

No, mobile home insurance is not legally required in Louisiana. However, you may need coverage if you financed your home or if your mobile home resides in a community or park.

Even if you aren’t required to get mobile home insurance, maintaining a policy is generally a good idea. The right policy can provide financial protection for your home and belongings against a range of losses, including natural disasters, theft, and vandalism.