Who Needs Seasonal Home or Mobile Home Insurance?

Owning any type of property – whether it’s one primary residence or your primary residence and a secondary property you use to vacation in – is exciting. The notion of being a homeowner is something that many people work their entire lives towards. Once you’ve acquired the home(s), getting insurance is a no-brainer – you want to protect your massive investment!

Not everyone lives in a traditional, site-built home. Moreover, not everyone owns just a single property. Seasonal homes and mobile homes need insurance, too. Seasonal homes and mobile homes may not always be required to be insured, but insuring them can secure your peace-of-mind against potential losses and issues, and ensure your mobile home or seasonal home can be kept safe for years to come.

As it stands, the basis of seasonal home or mobile home insurance policies are very different. Where a mobile home may very well serve as someone’s permanent residence, a seasonal home may only be occupied for a portion of the year – and left vacant for the remainder. As such, both types of homes need very different insurance. Let’s get into the differences.

What is mobile home insurance?

As the name implies, mobile home insurance is homeowners’ insurance that is designed especially for mobile homes. Alternatively, it may also be referred to as manufactured home insurance.

Mobile homes are essentially prefabricated housing built in factories and then transported to a designated location. They are built upon mobile chassis with wheels and axles so that they can be moved. They are often viewed as flexible and more affordable housing options when compared to that of traditional, site-built homes. Each mobile home has its own size, style, and floor plan, and these structures may be customized to meet the needs of each unique homeowner.

The name “mobile” comes from the fact that they are transported to a designated site upon being built – but usually now many are installed on a permanent foundation and, once placed, won’t be moved again. That being said, mobile homes not affixed to a permanent foundation may be required to comply with different regulations/zoning laws than your traditional house.

Mobile home insurance policies work similarly to home insurance policies, although the needs of the mobile homeowner may vary, and the value of the home may be very different.

How do you insure a mobile home?

Insuring a mobile home is generally not all that different from insuring your standard, site-built home. That being said, mobile homes have specific vulnerabilities and features, and as such cannot be insured with your standard homeowners policy. Remember – mobile homes can be relocated.

In Canada, costs to insure a mobile home generally range between that of $70-$100/month. Of course, like any insurance policy, the costs of a mobile home insurance package will be influenced by a broad range of factors, such as the age of your home, its construction materials, and the location. Depending on where you live, personal factors like credit score and insurance history will also play their part.

What is seasonal home insurance?

Seasonal home insurance is a form of home insurance that exists to cover a seasonal home for its period of use. It costs less than the average home insurance policy, solely due to the fact that it only covers the home for the period of time that it is purchased/being used.

Seasonal homes can look like anything. They can be tiny longhouses that are used during the winter months to enjoy the hunting season in style, or they can be larger than your average house, with a lakeside view, three bedrooms, and a bedazzled kitchen. It all depends on your desires.

Generally, seasonal homes may be occupied by someone else for the remainder of the year where you are not occupying them. But, if you are the sole owner of a second home or seasonal property, then you may need to purchase added coverage to ensure your property remains covered during its period of vacancy. If you have a seasonal home and you have an ongoing mortgage, your lender may require you to purchase summer home coverage/seasonal property coverage to protect their interests and yours.

How do you insure a seasonal home?

Although some aspects of seasonal home insurance certainly work similarly to standard home insurance, the main difference here for a seasonal home is that it is generally not occupied year-round. As the name suggests, it is occupied seasonally.

Your seasonal home insurance is designed to protect the actual structure of your seasonal home, including any outdoor structures, against certain insured risks, such as theft, vandalism, or damages as a result of wildlife/animals. It also insures your belongings and liability claims.

You may have the option to purchase a comprehensive coverage variation, where coverage applies all year-round. However, in order to qualify, the home must generally be checked up on or occupied every 60 days – and this isn’t always possible for everyone.

Your vacation home may very well be your sanctuary – your home away from home – and it represents the significant time and money you’ve put into it. Likewise, your mobile home, albeit not your traditional home, is just as important to you as if it were built on any old site – it’s your home! Insuring these properties may not look the same way as insuring any old home, but it’s important to know just how to do it to ensure your home may be as adequately insured as is possible.

Give us a call or get a free quote today to start insuring your seasonal or mobile home.