Coverage A: Dwelling
Coverage A pays to repair or replace the physical home — the structure, attached additions, built-in appliances, and built-in cabinetry. The dollar limit should reflect what it would cost to replace your home with comparable new construction in your area, not what you paid for it or its market value.
Two valuation methods: replacement cost (RC) pays the cost of new materials of similar quality with no depreciation deduction; actual cash value (ACV) pays the home's depreciated value (often 30–60% less on older homes). RC costs 20–35% more in premium but is almost always worth it on homes under 25 years old.
Coverage B: Other structures
Coverage B covers detached structures on your property: detached garages, sheds, fences, detached decks, carports not attached to the home. Standard policies set this at 10% of Coverage A automatically, but mobile home owners frequently have $15K–$30K of detached structures that exceed the default.
Always inventory your detached structures and bump Coverage B explicitly if needed. Detached decks and carports are commonly destroyed in wind events and almost as commonly underinsured.
Coverage C: Personal property
Coverage C pays for your belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, tools. Standard mobile home policies set this at 40–60% of Coverage A, which often underinsures contents in a fully-furnished home.
Most policies use ACV on contents by default. Adding a replacement-cost-on-contents endorsement (usually $30–$80/year) means you get paid what it costs to buy the items new rather than the depreciated value. High-value items (jewelry, firearms, electronics) often need scheduled coverage above standard sub-limits.
Coverage D: Loss of use
If your mobile home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, Coverage D pays for additional living expenses (hotel, restaurant meals, temporary rental) above your normal expenses. Standard limit is 20% of Coverage A, capped at a defined time period (often 12–24 months).
Two underinsurance traps: temporary mobile home rentals are scarce and expensive in most markets, and hotel costs in disaster zones spike 2–4x after major events. Bumping Coverage D to 30% of dwelling adds minimal premium and pays off significantly in a total-loss scenario.
Coverage E: Personal liability
Coverage E pays if you're legally liable for bodily injury or property damage to someone else (guest injury, dog bite, accidental damage to a neighbor's property). Standard limits are $100,000 — far below what most claims settle for in 2026.
Bumping to $300,000 or $500,000 typically costs $15–$60/year. An umbrella policy ($1M+ liability) layered on top costs $200–$400/year and is the highest-ROI insurance dollar most mobile home owners can spend.
Coverage F: Medical payments to others
Coverage F is no-fault — it pays for guest medical bills regardless of who's at fault, up to a small limit ($1,000–$5,000). It exists to prevent small injuries from becoming Coverage E lawsuits. Standard limits are usually adequate; bump to $5K if your default is lower.
6 critical add-ons most owners skip
These endorsements address common mobile home gaps:
- Replacement cost on dwelling AND contents (the single biggest claim-payout difference)
- Trip collision / transit coverage (covers damage if home is moved)
- Flood insurance via NFIP — not covered by any standard policy
- Earthquake endorsement in CA, OR, WA, AK, MO Bootheel
- Wind/hail buy-down deductible in coastal states (reduces 5% to 1–2%)
- Scheduled personal property for jewelry, firearms, collectibles above standard sub-limits