10 Questions to Ask Your Agent Before Choosing a Mobile Home Policy
- What amount is my home insured for on this quote?
- Will my home itself be insured for replacement cost or actual cash value?
- How much personal property coverage is included, and is it actual cash value or replacement cost?
- How are attachments like garages, carports, decks, or Florida rooms covered?
- What are the deductibles for standard claims, hurricanes, and other risks like roof or water?
- Is this a DP1 policy with limited coverage, or an MHO3 policy with broader protection?
- How much liability coverage is included in this policy?
- Does this policy include wind and hurricane coverage?
- Is water damage limited, excluded, or covered up to the full policy limit?
- Is flood coverage included, or do I need a separate policy?
When comparing mobile home insurance quotes, price is only part of the story. The details of each policy determine how well you’re protected. Use this worksheet to compare quotes side by side and ask the right questions of any insurance agent.
1. Coverage Amount for the Home (Coverage A)
👉 Ask: What amount is my home insured for on this quote?
Lower premiums often mean the home is insured for less. For example, a quote insuring your home for $75K will always cost less than one insuring it for $125K with the same insurer.
💡 Tip: Ensure the coverage amount is sufficient to replace the value of your manufactured home (excluding land value).
2. Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value (Coverage A)
👉 Ask: Will my home itself be insured for replacement cost or actual cash value?
Replacement Cost pays to repair your home with new materials of like kind and quality. Actual Cash Value (ACV) only pays the depreciated value — the cost of new materials minus wear and tear or age. ACV usually costs less but provides weaker protection.
💡 We recommend Replacement Cost coverage whenever possible, as it provides much stronger protection than ACV.
3. Personal belongings or Contents (Coverage C)
👉 Ask: How much personal property coverage is included, and is it actual cash value or replacement cost?
This protects the things inside your home. Check both the amount of coverage and whether it pays Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value (ACV). Replacement Cost pays for new items of like kind and quality, while ACV only pays depreciated value.
💡 We recommend Replacement Cost coverage for the best protection. But if you’re comfortable being reimbursed at “garage sale prices,” ACV may be appropriate.
4. Attachments (After-Market Additions)
👉 Ask: How are attachments like garages, carports, decks, or Florida rooms covered?
Garages, carports, decks, and Florida rooms are treated differently by each insurance company:
- Some carriers — like Safe Harbor, Orange, US Coastal, American Traditions, American Integrity, and Unique — require these to be specifically listed on the policy. If they aren’t listed with an additional cost, they are not covered.
- Others — like Tower Hill and Citizens — often include them automatically in the home’s coverage, making them a better option for homes with multiple or heavily modified attachments.
💡 We recommend confirming how attachments are covered. If they aren’t listed or included, they may not be protected — and many agents miss this detail.
5. Deductibles
👉 Ask: What are the deductibles for standard claims vs. a hurricane? Any other deductibles?
A deductible is what you pay first before insurance kicks in. Mobile home policies usually include:
- Standard (AOP) deductible
- Hurricane deductible (often a % of your home’s insured value or can be a flat dollar amount)
- Some companies may have additional deductibles for water or roof claims.
Higher deductibles mean lower premiums but more out-of-pocket costs at claim time. Lower deductibles cost more upfront but save you money if a claim occurs.
💡 We recommend choosing deductibles you could comfortably afford in an emergency.
6. Type of Policy: DP1 vs. MHO3
👉 Ask: Is this a DP1 policy with limited coverage, or an MHO3 policy with broader protection?
A DP1 policy is cheaper but only covers limited named perils, such as fire, lightning, and a few others. It often excludes wind and hurricane coverage, water, theft, and provides very basic protection. A true MHO3 mobile home policy covers a much broader range of risks and offers the strongest protection for your home.
💡 We recommend an MHO3 policy whenever possible, as it provides far better coverage than DP1.
7. Liability Protection
👉 Ask: How much liability coverage is included in this policy?
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property and you’re held responsible for injuries or damages. Limits range from $25,000 to $300,000. Many quotes include only $50,000, but raising it to $300,000 usually costs just $20–$40/year. For higher protection, consider an umbrella policy.
💡 We recommend $300,000 in liability coverage for stronger protection.
8. Wind and Hurricane Coverage
👉 Ask: Does this policy include wind and hurricane coverage?
Some companies exclude wind, tornado, and hurricane coverage to appear cheaper — but these are the most common causes of mobile home damage.
💡 We strongly recommend making sure wind and hurricane coverage is included in your policy.
9. Water Damage
👉 Ask: Is water damage limited, excluded, or covered up to the full policy limit?
Water damage is the most common claim in Florida, often from broken pipes or appliances. Some companies cap coverage at $10,000, while others exclude it entirely. These policies may cost less — and sometimes it’s easier to qualify with a $10K limit — but they can leave you with large out-of-pocket costs in a major loss.
We recommend choosing full water damage coverage when available. Some insurers may require a 4-point inspection to qualify for full water damage coverage.
Flood Coverage
👉 Ask: Is flood coverage included, or do I need a separate policy?
Rising groundwater is typically excluded from standard mobile home policies, even if caused by a hurricane. Flood coverage must be added by endorsement or purchased separately. If you have a mortgage in a high-risk zone, lenders will require it — but even if not, it’s still a smart idea since floods are a costly disaster in Florida.
💡 We recommend carrying flood coverage for peace of mind and stronger protection.
The cheapest policy isn’t always the best policy.
What matters most is knowing exactly what’s covered. This checklist helps you cut through the fine print so you can make a smart choice with confidence. And if you’d like a second set of eyes, we’d be glad to walk through your quotes side by side and point out the differences that really matter.
Related Articles
Who Will Insure A Mobile Home In Florida?
What is Really Covered on a Mobile Home Insurance Policy in Florida
