The ultimate guide to protecting your mobile home

When people buy a manufactured home, the primary driver for their decision is affordability. And just because they're buying something affordable doesn't mean they're sacrificing satisfaction or longevity. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by the Manufactured Housing Institute, 90% of people reported feeling satisfied with their homes. More than 60% of residents anticipate living in their homes for more than 10 years, and 38% don't ever plan to sell their home.

If the mobile home lifestyle feels like the right fit for you, it's time to take the next steps to learn what it takes to protect this type of home. From how to get home insurance to fire safety, preventing water damage, and keeping your home safe from pests, read on for our guide to the ins and outs of mobile home living.

Why you need mobile home insurance

There's no law stating you have to have mobile home insurance — unless, of course, your mortgage company or mobile home company requires it.

However, here's why it's recommended: The average sales price of a new manufactured home without land is approximately $108,000. If something were to happen to what is likely one of your biggest assets, you'd want to recoup the cost of your home and belongings.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, mobile home insurance policies typically provide coverage for physical damage, as well as personal liability coverage. Because each policy is slightly different, it's important to understand the conditions or coverage limits that apply to your personal situation.

Here's a brief overview of coverage you'll find on a typical mobile home insurance policy:

Physical damage coverage

Mobile home policies usually include coverage for physical damage to your property and surrounding structures. These include structures like attached patios or decks, garages and storage sheds. Physical damage can be caused by fire, hail, wind, theft and vandalism, or falling objects.

There are two types of physical damage coverage: replacement cost and actual cash value.

Replacement cost could repair or replace your home using the same materials and quality as today's market value. Actual cash value is the replacement cost, minus your home's depreciation. While mobile homes don't usually depreciate, it's a risk.

Personal liability coverage

Let's say a visitor to your mobile home slips and falls down your front steps. Even though it was an accident, they file a lawsuit against you because they were injured during the fall. If you have personal liability coverage, it could help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It could even include their own property damage. It's important to note that liability coverage doesn't pay claims for your injuries — or those of your household.

Additional living expenses

If your mobile home becomes uninhabitable and you need a place to stay while it's being repaired, your insurance should help offset the costs of rent or hotel stays.

Peril policies offer basic insurance coverage, but only cover specific causes of loss. If your mobile home is damaged by something other than a peril included in your policy, you won't be covered and will have to pay out of pocket to repair the damages or replace your belongings. In other words, if you buy a named-peril-only policy, you'll take on more risk because it may not be adequate for your needs.

The cost of your mobile home insurance depends on where you live, your home's replacement cost, and the coverage and deductible options you choose. You may be able to get a lower monthly premium with a higher deductible. But if you go that route, be sure to save for the deductible you'll pay out of pocket.

If you don't already have an emergency fund in place to cover unexpected expenses like a deductible, now's a great time to start one. Your goal should be to fully fund an emergency fund worth three to six months' worth of living expenses. That way, if you need to file a claim, you don't have to use credit or debt to make ends meet.

Preventing water damage in mobile homes

Before you purchase a mobile home insurance policy, be sure to know which perils are covered and where coverage is limited or excluded. You should also assess whether additional coverage or policies may be needed.

Like regular homeowners insurance, flooding isn't covered with a mobile home insurance policy and isn't considered physical damage. If you're in a flood zone, you can purchase separate flood insurance.

Flooding isn't the only water damage mobile homeowners have to consider. Moisture damage, while less dramatic, can be just as destructive. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you can take the following steps to protect your mobile home from water damage:

• Use ventilation fans to draw excess moisture from the air after common household activities like bathing, heating and cooking.
• Make sure you have the right- size central air unit for your home. When it's too large, it will turn on and off frequently, which can cause excess humidity or inconsistent cooling.
• Vent propane and kerosene heaters. For every gallon of fuel consumed, fossil fuel heaters release about a gallon of potentially damaging water vapor into the air.
• Keep floor registers clear in rooms and closets so warm and cool air flow evenly, and so moisture condensation doesn't lead to mold growth.
• Purchase pleated heating and cooling filters, which help control dust and result in dehumidification.

Recognizing the signs of moisture issues in your home can help you solve them before they get out of control.

So how do you know if you have moisture problems? First, be aware of musty smells in the air. Check the walls and ceiling for discoloration and swelling or warping. Condensation on windows or doors is also a sign that you may have moisture problems in your manufactured home.

Fire safety precautions for mobile homes

In 1976, HUD released strict standards to regulate the design and construction of manufactured housing. That means manufacturers must adhere to industry performance standards for thermal and electrical systems, plumbing, heating and air conditioning.

If you properly maintain heating equipment like furnaces, flues, fireplaces, space heaters, woodstoves and water heaters, you're less likely to have a fire in your mobile home.

If your home was built after 1976, it was constructed with the same building materials used in site-built homes. It was engineered for wind safety and energy efficiency. Finally, it includes smoke detectors, escape windows, limited combustible materials around furnaces, water heaters and kitchen ranges.

Homes built prior to the 1976 standards, however, didn't necessarily come equipped with smoke detectors. If your home doesn't have them, install them in the kitchen and adjacent to each bedroom, positioned high on the wall or on the ceiling. Replace the smoke detector batteries each year.

The following fire safety precautions can help protect your mobile home.

• Keep at least two fire extinguishers in your mobile home — one in the kitchen and another near the furnace. They should be labeled "multi-purpose, dry-chemical," and should be suitable for class A, B and C fires.
• When you replace fuses, be sure to install only fuses or breakers that are the proper size for the wire. Qualified electricians may recommend a ground monitor, which can help locate electrical system problems like shorts.
• Never place combustible materials, such as hay or straw, under your mobile home.
• Prevent lightning damage by grounding your television antenna.
• Clean dryer vents periodically, and lint screens after running each load of laundry.

Keeping pests out of your mobile home

As with any home, prevention is the most effective pest control. But because mobile homes aren't typically secured to the ground in the same way as traditional homes are, pests have additional entry points.

Mobile homeowners often install plastic skirting to protect their pipes and insulation from animals. Over time, UV ray exposure can cause holes, cracks, small tears or openings. If you see places where mice and other pests can enter, repair any skirting damage to keep pests from coming inside your home. If your skirting is wood, it should be pressure treated.

Check your mobile home's "underbelly," which holds the floor insulation in place, for deterioration. Higher-than-normal electric bills are a sign that you may have holes in your underbelly or air-conditioning ductwork. Be sure to keep ductwork off the ground.

Clean out your gutters to prevent holes in the roof or behind gutters and fascia. Ceiling or drywall damage gives pests an opportunity to enter your home.