Glossary

Manufactured home

A house built in a factory on a permanent chassis to the federal HUD code, in effect since June 15, 1976, and insured on forms written for that construction.

Also called: mobile home, HUD-code home, manufactured housing

A manufactured home is a factory-built dwelling constructed on a permanent steel chassis and hauled to its site. Homes built to the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, known as the HUD code, which took effect June 15, 1976, are called manufactured homes. Older units are commonly called mobile homes. Modular homes are different. They are built in sections to local building codes, set on a foundation, and usually insured like site-built houses.

Insurers use their own manufactured-home or mobile-home forms rather than an HO-3, and regulators report these policies under the HO-7 label. Coverage may settle at replacement cost or actual cash value, and older homes often get actual cash value only. Eligibility and price depend on age, tie-downs and skirting, whether the home sits on owned land or in a park, and wind or flood exposure. Say your 1998 single-wide is valued at $60,000 (hypothetical): confirm whether a total loss pays to replace it or to depreciate it.

Common pitfalls include a limit too low to buy a new unit and pay for delivery and setup, no coverage while the home is being moved, and lender requirements that differ from the policy. See the manufactured home guide and remember that flood needs separate coverage.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

HO-7 (mobile home form) A homeowners-style policy for owner-occupied mobile and manufactured homes, adapting property and liability coverage to how those homes are built and sited. Replacement cost What it would cost to repair or rebuild with materials of like kind and quality at today's prices, with no deduction for age or wear. Actual cash value What an insurer pays for damaged property: the cost to repair or replace it today, minus a deduction for age and wear, so less than a new-for-old payment. Windstorm The peril of damage from high winds, including hurricanes, tornadoes and thunderstorm gusts, which most policies cover, sometimes with a separate deductible. Flood exclusion The standard homeowners provision that excludes flood, surface water, tides and overflowing water bodies, leaving flood damage to a separate flood policy. Insurance to value The ratio of the coverage on a home to what it would cost to rebuild it today; 100% means the limit matches the rebuild cost.

Related guides

Mobile and manufactured home insurance How insurance for mobile and manufactured homes works: HUD-code dates, why age and tie-downs set the price, ACV vs replacement cost, and the flood gap. How to insure a tiny home A tiny home on a foundation can use a homeowners or dwelling policy. One on wheels is usually treated as an RV. How to tell which you have and what to ask.

Related insurers

American Modern Insurance Group Munich Re-owned specialty insurer for manufactured homes and for older, vacant, seasonal and rental homes that standard carriers turn down, sold through agents. American Traditions Insurance Pinellas Park, Florida insurer founded in 2006 for manufactured homes, now also writing homeowners and condo policies through independent agents; Demotech A. Assurant The leading U.S. writer of lender-placed (force-placed) home insurance, which also sells manufactured home, condo and homeowners policies in select states. Co-operative Insurance Companies Member-owned Vermont insurer founded in 1915 for Grange farmers, writing home, mobile home, farm and auto coverage only in Vermont and New Hampshire. Foremost Insurance Farmers-owned specialist founded in 1952 for mobile homes; also writes landlord, vacant, seasonal and standard home policies via independent and Farmers agents.